Luke Stars in Try Fest

Things didn’t start well with us losing 4 front rowers, 2 into the First XV squad travelling to Hull and 2 to late work call ups leaving the squad slightly depleted leaving Gate with only 5 recognised forwards. That said we travelled with 16 players to Cookridge to play an Old Mods side containing 7 first XV players with the balance of the squad being 2nd team and 3rd team players, including 6 props (oh what luxury)

Playing uncontested for the first qtr and after 2 mins Like Edwards sliced through the home defence for the first of 4 tries, Jordan Davies adding the extras. The led was almost doubled when swift hands from Luke to Jordan released Bekky and only a try saving tackle saved the home defence. Despite giving away much weight (and experience) the young pack led magnificently by Spenner who was rampaging all over the field and following a lineout steal on out 22 swift hands through the backs saw Matt Halpin pin back his ears and streak round the covering Mods to score from 70m out.

An unfortunate yellow card for Andy Young following an infringement at the breakdown signalled spell of pressure for the Mods who eventually crossed the line after a period of resolute defence to close the gap to 12 v 5.

Playing now downhill and downwind the Mods started to retain some ball and after a blind side break from the scrum and a rumble from the pack released the scrum half who fed the winger to score – the extras levelled the scores.

Soon after another forward drive from Mods big pack saw them extend the lead 10 12 v 19. With such a young side it would have been easy to let the heads drop but not a bit of it. Encouraged by the senior players they upped the ante and started to dominate the game – moving the ball fast and wide at every opportunity. Following a quick tap penalty by Cloughie (the younger) and a break a neat one two with Bekky almost resulted in a try but from the next phase Luke was on hand to make sublime inside break and power over for his second try of the game to reduce the arrears to 17 v 19

Obviously Luke was now getting a taste for it and put Gate back into the lead after a superb finish after some great handling and support work from Spenner, Woody, Cliffy, Guy Burroughs and Sam Beagrie combining in a flowing move from the halfway line, with Cloughie adding the extras to lead 24 v 19.

With the tails up and the youngsters Sam Beagrie, Andy Young, Jed Carr, Alex Savage, George Ellis, George Maslavekas, Elliott Lewis and Will Clough all playing with controlled aggression at the breakdown and combining excellently with the more experienced players Gate were now running the Mods defence ragged and looking dangerous every time we had the ball.
From one such move great communications and running lines created space for Bekky to power past the covering defenders to edge out to 29 v 19.

Turning back uphill for the 3rd qtr and again following a turnover Woody burst through the line and streaked away to score with Cloughie adding the extras the lead was now 36 v 19.

Spenner was rampaging all over the park and when another clearance kick by Mods found him at full tilt destroying the two first up defenders and charging away to score a well deserved try. 41 v 19.

To their credit Mods came back again and following a series of powerful drives scored out wide to reduce the deficit to 41 v 24.

This signalled another response from the Gate side with Luke Edwards scoring a spectacular solo try (converted by Bekky) 48 v 24.

Guy Burroughs had played most of the game in the back row and was rewarded for his sterling efforts with the final try of the day to round off a superb 55 v 24 win.

Huge effort from the senior players Spenner, Woody, Guy, Luke, Jordan, Bekky – top effort from new recruits Matt Halpin & Tom Cliff (league convert who did lots of great work around the breakdown as someone new to Union) Cloughie (jnr) and Elliott Lewis. The regular 3rd teamers all played a huge part - not just in the way they adapted to the game and linked well in attack with the senior players but Sam Beagrie, Andy Young, Jed Carr, George Maslavekas, George Ellis and Alex Savage all defended magnificently and benefited hugely for the experience. Big thanks to Old Mods for lending us a couple of props and the spitit in which the game was played, the after match pie and peas were awesome !

Roll on the league season.