Gateshead Thunder 16
University of Gloucestershire All Golds 18
THE University of Gloucestershire All Golds have claimed their historic first win at professional level, writes Niall Mann.
Snow showers meant rugby league matches across the country had been postponed, but the All Golds were not deterred as they headed on their longest journey of the season to Gateshead Thunder in Northern Rail Cup
Both sides needed victory to avoid finishing the Northern Rail Cup without a win to their name, which meant the game began at blistering pace. Thunderous tackles, passion and nervous mistakes provided the bulk of action for the opening five, as both sides fought for domination in a tempestuous must win atmosphere.
It was Gateshead who gained the upper hand early on, with Luke Hardcastle slicing through the All Golds defence on six minutes with a delightful dummy run. Benn Hardcastle missed the conversion, with the north-west side nearly doubling their lead just six minutes later. The ball was deemed to have been played forward however, with the match continuing in this fashion for much of the first half, with both teams displaying some exquisite attacking play, riddled with errors.
On 22 minutes, Gateshead stepped up their game with Sam Latus using a neat side step to claw over the All Golds line, with a further unconverted try scored by Chris Heil added shortly after. As the first half came to a close, another Gateshead score seemed inevitable until Pat Evans put in one of the tackles of the match. This ensured the score remained within reach for the All Golds, as they went in 12 points down at half time.
A resurgent second half performance was needed by the away side, and that's exactly what the fans were given as they came storming out of the blocks. Rory Sharrat delivered a short pass into Jordan Rice who crashed over the line, before Matt Bradley duly converted to halve Gatesheads lead on 43 minutes.
As the All Golds pressed for an equaliser, Thunder struck back with dual registered Hull KR player Omari Caro on the hour mark. The winger won a competition last year to become rugby leagues fastest player.
However the score did nothing to dampen the All Golds commitment or courage, as they struck back immediately. Phil Cowburn turned provider to Mike Venn who smashed through two defenders to score. Bradley converted to bring the away side within a converted try of victory.
They didn't have to wait long, with Tyla Hepi scoring the try of the match. Collecting the ball within the All Golds half, Hepi ran 60 metres to score leaving five flattened defenders in his wake. Bradley added his third conversion to give the All Golds a two point lead with fifteen minutes left.
Gateshead continually battered on the door, but a phenomenal defence from the All Golds ensured they gained their first victory at the professional level.
The victory also capped an extraordinary seven days of rugby league for the county, after Chosen Hill Year Nines and St Peters school Year 10's claimed victory too move into the quarter finals of the Champions Schools tournament – the British isles biggest rugby league competition for schools.
The All Golds next play this Friday at the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham. The match against local rivals marks both sides' debuts in the Championship One division. Adult tickets cost £10 and concessions £6. Children under 16 go free. More information is available from www.allgoldsrugby.com.
All Golds: 6 Tawanda Chipadza 2 James Gahan 3 Callum Mulkeen 5 Tim Bergin 17 Pat Evans 1 Phil Cowburn 7 Matthew Bradley 21 Ollie Yeats 9 Rory Sharratt 12 Mike Venn 11 Tyla Hepi 10 Sam Blaney 13 Jordan Rice Replacements:8 Mike Stewart; 4 Yannic Parker; 18 James Walter; 15 Marcus Brown
Gateshead Thunder: 1 Luke Hardcastle 2 Nick Johnson 3 Sam Latus 4 Chris Heil 26 Omari Caro 20 Chris Parker 7 Benn Hardcastle 11 Jason Payne 9 Tom Hodgson 10 Stephen Welton 12 Callum Cockburn 25 Aaron Ollett 8 Jack Smith Replacements: 16 Jack Stearman; 13 Curtis Pullen; 6 Gavin Beasley 15 Dave Sheldon
Referee: Jamie Bloem
Attendance: 142
