The Warriors opened their 2008 Co-operative Rugby League Conference Midlands division rugby league campaign with a hard-fought 32-26 win over the Bulldogs in Birmingham. Three tries in the third quarter took them from a 16-12 interval deficit to a 26-16 lead that ensured an opening day win.
Three tries from South African stand off Stephan Fourie on debut were the highlight of the Warriors scoring as their multi-national line-up featuring two Samoans, a Kiwi and a Fijian came away from a bruising encounter with the points.
Warriors coach Tom James was pleased with the way the new players settled in: “I was happy with the start, today. We made a lot of mistakes but I was pleased with the team in general and with the lads who made their debuts. They all played really well.”
Both sides showed signs of early season rustiness but the Warriors played the better football and, despite being behind for much of the first half, had enough firepower to win.
“We need to get rid of the silly little errors and when we do we’ll be a very strong side,” said James.
There was plenty of dropped ball from both sides throughout the match as they struggled to put some structure into their game.
The Warriors got the scoreboard moving after just three minutes, Fourie capitalised on some early Warriors pressure by dummying through the defence to the posts for a stylish try converted by Tom Bozzard.
However, indiscipline crept into their play and two penalties from Gareth Harcombe and a hotly-disputed try from Mike Jones had the Bulldogs 10-6 up and full of confidence after twelve minutes.
The game flew from end to end with neither side able to take control of proceedings until Kiwi prop Brad Tindall forced his way over for a try converted by Guy Spencer. But the Warriors then handed the initiative straight back to their opponents by making a hash of the restart and Russell Parker sent Jones through a hole to score converted again by Harcombe to give the Bulldogs a 16-12 lead they kept until the interval.
Five minutes into the second period, Ben Constantine ran a superb line to score under the posts. Bozzard converted to edge the Warriors into a lead they were not to relinquish.
Six minutes later, Fourie set Kevin Locke free down the right wing and backed up to score a fine try in the corner. The Warriors extended their lead to ten points ten minutes later when Steve Barnes forced his way over from close range.
The Bulldogs refused to give up and Jones powered over from close range for his third try of the day but the Warriors replied almost immediately with a try straight from a scrum just inside the Bulldogs half, Fourie finding the gap and accelerating away to the posts. Bozzard converted and the Warriors were home.
The Bulldogs scored a consolation try on the final whistle as Parker was too strong for the defence, forcing the ball down for a score converted by Jones.
Teams:
BIRMINGHAM BULLDOGS: Mark Court, Adam Walker, Pete Fullthorpe, Mike Jones (Capt.), Adam Jones, Mark Able, Gareth Harcombe, Mike Tate, Adam Baldock, Sam Woodward, Russ Parker, Glen Willetts, Jon Parker. Replacements: Paul Cadman, Ben Howby, Jack Edwards, Chris Woodcock, Simon Wilkinson, Sam Flatley.
Scorers: Tries; Mike Jones (9, 32, 67), Russell Parker (80). Conversions; Gareth Harcombe 2 from 3, Mike Jones 1 from 1. Penalties; Gareth Harcombe (6,12).
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Guy Spencer, Rich Carter, Ronnie Haines, Steve Barnes, Kev Locke, Stephan Fourie, Chris Furze, Anton Rhodes, Anton Rhodes, Tom Bozzard, Brad Tindall, Simon Taylor, Steve Davies, Ben Constantine (Capt.). Replacements: Areta Tanoai, Luke Langham, Sam Hough, Danny Price, Jack Petelo, Tom James.
Scorers: Tries; Stephan Fourie (3, 51, 72), Brad Tindall (30), Ben Constantine (45), Steve Barnes (62). Conversions; Tom Bozzard 3 from 5, Guy Spencer 1 from 1.
Referee: Julian Critchley (Southern RLRS)
Star Man: Stephan Fourie
Penalties: Bulldogs 9, Warriors 10.
Scoring sequence: 0-6, 2-6, 8-6, 10-6, 10-12, 16-12, (HT), 16-18, 16-22, 16-26, 20-26, 20-32, 26-32, (FT).
