New year – New Pitch
Bristol and West 2 [6-2] Gwent
Report by Oli Nevin
Having lost our final two games before the Christmas break against strong University opposition we needed to come out fighting in the new year.
We arrived nice and early to get to grips with a new home pitch at Mangotsfield. The atmosphere in the changing room was positive with a strong squad assembled to take on Gwent. Our first game of the season away at their place ended in a 3-3 draw having been 2-0 up early doors.
Si provided us with his usual pre-match words of positivity and encouragement before heading out to the pitch, the boys were feeling confident with a strong squad including H, Daz and Luke (- the mullet ).
That feeling of confidence soon turned to dread as Daz, who has plenty of experience playing with the welsh, informed us of Gwent’s secret weapon, “the welsh Pirlo” is probably an injustice. Dive in on him at your peril he warned. What Darren failed to mention was Jonesy, now in his late 30’s (at best) was slower round the pitch than Nevin running out at a short corner.
Gwent started the stronger of the two teams with some good attacking play with the boys still feeling the effects of the Christmas period. They capitalised on this early momentum having won a dubious short corner after a clean tackle from Hazelwood.
We replied quickly with a well worked passing move down the right hand side which culminated in the ball bouncing across the goal for Joe to volley home on the reverse from the tightest of angles.
We grabbed a second thanks to good finishing from our young star Luke Berry, our third goal quickly followed good play from our midfield dynamo Phil which took us into half time with a deserved 3-1 lead.
After some further words of confidence from Captain Si at half time, we replicated the first half score line thanks to some strong work from Alex Law upfront who was rewarded with a goal and two assists. Secret agent Phil brown also popped up out of nowhere to pop his name on the scoresheet.
Final score ended Bristol and West 6 Gwent 2 which provided a great platform to kick on from in the new year.
After the game we tried out the new facilities at Mangotsfield. I would be lying if I said showering in scolding hot water in the dark was pleasurable, however this was made worse as it soon dawned on me that I had forgot my towel.
Chippy tea and a cold pint was to follow at Cleve rugby club, which ended a great day for the Mighty 2’s
Goals: Joe, Luke (2), Harry, Alex, Phil
Man of the match: Luke Berry
DOD: Oli Nevin