The Gloucestershire Warriors slumped to a 43-32 defeat against Derby City and though they scored seven tries, only two were converted making the margin of defeat wider than it perhaps was on the balance of the play.
Three tries in ten minutes at the end of the first half from Derby snatched the lead and control of a fast-flowing, exciting game at Haslams after the Warriors had started well, enjoying pressure and territory before City launched their purple patch to take the spoils.
“Our defence let us down this week,” said Warriors’ coach Tom James. “We simply missed too many tackles and allowed them back into a game we were well in control of.”
The Warriors started well, Ben Constantine opening the scoring, diving through some flimsy goal-line defence after just four minutes. However, City soon hit back, Chris Buckley scoring under the posts. Paul Worthington converted for the lead.
It was short-lived as Andy Claydon forced his way over from dummy half to score. Ben Hough converted and the Warriors scored again straight from the restart. Areta Tanoai’s offload freed Stephan Fourie and Jack Petelo backed up for a great try.
The Warriors were looking good at 14-6 but the end to end game swung again, City’s Dave Fitchett scoring after the Warriors’ defence had been stretched. Worthington’s goal cut the gap to two points but Fourie grabbed a dropped ball to score in the corner for an 18-12 lead.
City then struck back with three tries before the interval. James Turner scored as the Warriors were caught out on the short side then a fine long run from Darren Hersey split the defence and though he looked to have lost the ball in the tackle, Buckley scored. Worthington’s goal edged City in front.
The decision infuriated James who said: “I was disappointed with some of the referee’s decisions. There appeared to be no consistency in what he penalised. Even so, we should have had the ability to cope with those setbacks. I was disappointed we didn’t.”
After an injury to Josh Pettifer, the Warriors were slow to reorganise and Ian Gilmour chipped over the defence and won the race to the ball to score. Worthington’s conversion saw City 28-18 ahead after a breathless first period.
The Warriors were hit by injuries as Pettifer, Lewis Neal and David Potter were unable to take any further part in the game after picking up knocks.
The Warriors took the early play to City in the second period and after Steve Davies was held up over the line, Alan Bryan forced his way over on the last tackle.
However, Jim Wild scored to restore City’s advantage, which was extended to 16 points after Turner crossed on the hour mark.
The Warriors threw caution to the wind but as they chased the game, errors mounted and City fed off the mistakes.
However, Bryan set up a great try for Marc Graham, collecting a kick through on his own line and racing through the defence to send his winger away for a score that Petelo was unable to convert.
Gilmour steadied things for City with a field goal to put three scores between the sides, which with time running out, was too much of a mountain for the Warriors to climb. The final nail was put in the Warriors’ coffin when Ryan Manning raced away to score in the corner.
There was still time for the Warriors to gain a consolation try. Bryan was controversially ruled to have grounded the ball incorrectly but the goal line drop out went straight to Petelo who blasted his way over on an unstoppable charge to the posts. Hough’s conversion gave the Warriors hope but that was dashed as the ball went to ground in their final attack and City celebrated a deserved win.
Teams:
DERBY CITY: Darren Hersey, Chris Buckley, Jon Cartlidge, James Turner, Brian O’Gorman, Ian Gilmour, Paul Worthington, Lee Seasman, Lee Tague, Harry Schmiel, Jim Wild, David Fitchett, Mark Smith. Replacements: Josh Woodward, Michael Mead, Lee Chapman, Tom Mormonse, Russell Dixon, Christopher Lines, Ryan Manning.
Scorers: Tries; Chris Buckley (10, 32), Dave Fitchett (24), James Turner (30, 60), Ian Gilmour (40), Jim Wild (54), Ryan Manning (77). Conversions; Paul Worthington 5 from 8. Field Goal Ian Gilmour (69).
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARRIORS: Justin Andrews, Lewis Neal, Alan Bryan, Steve Barnes, Josh Pettifer, Ben Hough, Stephan Fourie, Areta Tanoai, Andy Claydon, David Potter, Dennis Kenna, Steve Davies, Ben Constantine (Capt.). Replacements: Marc Graham, Jack Petelo, James Comber, Steve Lee, Tom James.
Scorers: Tries; Ben Constantine, (6), Andy Claydon (16), Jack Petelo (18, 80), Stephan Fourie (26), Alan Bryan (46), Marc Graham (65). Conversions; Ben Hough 2 from 6, Jack Petelo 0 from 1.
Referee: Steve Davis (Southern RLRS)
Star Man: Jack Petelo
Penalties: City 8 Warriors 9.
Scoring sequence: 0-4, 6-4, 6-10, 6-14, 12-14, 12-18, 16-18, 22-18, 28-18, (HT), 28-22, 34-22, 38-22, 38-26, 39-26, 43-26, 43-32, (FT).
