The Gloucestershire Warriors’ play-off ambitions died in the first half of their 42-20 defeat by Bedford Tigers at Rushden. Despite a second half fightback that yielded four tries, the Warriors were undone by the strength of Tigers’ centre Zander Peden who scored three tries.
In a stop-start opening half Peden, once a second team player at the Brisbane Broncos, opened the scoring in the first minute barrelling through some unprepared defence to score but for the next twenty minutes, the Warriors gave as good as they got until Peden forced his way over for his second try.
Before half time, the Tigers had three more tries on the board, including a third unstoppable rampage from Peden, and Tom James had a big job to pick the heads of his men up for the second period.
He certainly succeeded as, despite an early Tigers score from Chris Bygraves that made the score 32-0, the Warriors settled and began to play. With the halves Stephan Fourie and Danny Burke combining well, the Warriors’ play began to look far more threatening.
Ross Webb, Sonnie Williams and Jimmy Armstrong all combined to bundle a Tiger into touch and from the scrum, they built an attack that ended with Simeon Willett cutting in from his wing and slicing through to score. Fourie converted.
Bedford were rattled and Ollie Francis was sin binned for persistently offending. No sooner had he trudged off than Neys Schreiner dived over from close range for the Warriors’ second score. The Warriors still had the man advantage when they crossed again as Burke’s pinpoint kick was touched down by Marcus Brown and Fourie added the extras.
When James spun over to plant the ball down, the Tigers were reeling with just over ten minutes remaining and now only two scores between the sides.
Jamie Goss was fortunate to stay on the field as the referee missed a blatant punch on Ronnie Haines but the Warriors were unable to collect any more points as they were hit by two late tries from James Pritchard and Jack Brown to finish the game and confirm the Tigers’ place in post-season play.
James was upbeat with the Warriors’ second half show. “We played some great stuff and I’m really proud of how the guys dug in and performed. They really stood up and showed character and plenty of skill. I’m really buzzing after that.”
Teams:
BEDFORD TIGERS: James Pritchard, Rich Sinclair, Jack Brown, Zander Peden, Ollie Francis, Dan Sharp, Cameron Allsopp, Jamie Goss, Jack Wigglesworth, Sam Richbell (Capt.), Darren Pickard, Dan Baroux, Matt Hughes. Replacements: Gary Flook, Craig Walker, Ali Vatchi, Jake Wheeler, Doug de St Aubin, Chris Bygraves.
Scorers: Tries; Zander Peden (1, 24, 39), Jamie Goss (29), Ollie Francis (34), Chris Bygraves (48), James Pritchard (77), Jack Brown (79). Conversions; Sam Richbell 3 from 4, Dan Sharp 2 from 4.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Tom James, Ross Webb, Ronnie Haines, Marcus Brown, Simeon Whitter, Stephan Fourie (Capt.), Danny Burke, Steve Lee, Neys Schreiner, Sonnie Williams, Jay Flinter, Jimmy Armstrong, Ed Stallard. Replacements: Phil Pearson.
Scorers: Tries; Simeon Whitter (52), Neys Schreiner (58), Marcus Brown (65), Tom James (68). Conversions; Stephan Fourie 2 from 4.
Referee: Melvin Bettridge (Southern RLRS)
Star Man: Stephan Fourie
Penalties: Tigers 12 Warriors 17.
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 22-0, 28-0, (HT), 32-0, 32-6, 32-12, 32-16, 32-20, 38-20, 44-20, (FT).
