On a hot evening, with the fixtures changed a little to accomodate the Easter break. The four teams met at DTc to play the second round of Gibraltar's Super IVs.The first game was played at the earlier time of 6:30. With the temperature in the mid twenties and the sun in their eyes, the Stormers were made to face the low lying sun. This advantage was used to great effect by Stef Paton who persistenly kicked high and deep to gain valuable territory.
The Stormers however, had the stronger pack and were able to put more phases together, weakening the Scorpions defence. The Scorpions' rallied hard and managed to withhold the relentless Stormers attack with great success. The first half ended with the scoreline at 0-0.
The second half started off in the same vane but the Stormers soon combined their phase posession with width and began scoring two tries in the corners. The Rock Scorpions did find a response to the Stormers' pressure by scoring two tries themselves. Most of the carrying work being done by Phil Reihana.
Eventually the battering of the first half on the Scorpions' defense took its toll and the more experienced Stormers attack finished the last quarter by scoring to tries, sealing a well deserved victory. The Scorpions certainly were no push overs and deserve a big hand for their valiant efforts, despite the high injury list.
Final Score:
Stormers 20
Scorers:
Steve Ecclestone
Lee O'Sullivan
Alex Lavarello?
Scorpions 10
?
?
The second game in the second round was disputed by the Buccaneers, who knew that the Stormers had beaten the top of table Scorpions, with a four try, bonus point. This meant that it was vital the Buccaneers not only won but did so by at least four tries.
The Sharks just managed to start the game with 15. The team had suffered gravely from the battle between the Scorpions and the Sharks and both teams suffered dearly from the previous week's match. Sharks' injury list included the permed efforts of their illustrious, health freak Gary Evans, who was suffering from a deeply infectious bout of man flu. This however, did not dissuade Chris Lyons and his askew marine mammals, who rose to the challenge of a well equiped Buccaneers team, who had beneffited from an extra week's lay off.
The big boys of the Buccaneers were in no mood for mercy and clearly wanted to impose themselves on a team that despite injuries still posessed quality players. Evidence of the desire for the victory was evident fromt the off, with both team being vociferous in their urgency. This indiscpiline was soon staved as the Buccaneers plied pressure ont he Sharks' defence. The continued gains over the gain ball line split the Sharks' defence on a number of occassions, and was met by a desperate defence who conceeded a number of offside infringements. This afforded the Buccaneers greater territorial advantage and possession, culminating in a number of tries.
In the second half, the Sharks continued to put in a stern defence but were unable to respond to the Buccaneers' dominance. The final score allowed the Buccaneers to reach their objective of four tries, thus winning the much needed bonus point, resulting in them being head to head in the Super IVs standings.
Final Score:
Gibraltar Bay Buccaneers 30
Straits Sharks 0
Gib Bay Buccaneers Scorers:
Andy Wright
Ashley Martins
Hamish Couper x2
Dave Martinez
Bob MAssey
