The threes welcomed back several players back from long term injury along with 10 players returning to the club from University.
Both sides managed to play a lot of attractive rugby despite the atrocious conditions and entertained the spectators.

Both teams played with passion and desire and the game was very competitive especially at the breakdown and tempers boiled over on a few occasions in a game that was to the greater extent played in a good spirit.

The gate pack had the ascendency in the scrums for most of the game, Will Ellis, Townie & Tom putting the town front row under huge pressure, taking three or four against the head.

Both teams looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity and it was the power and pace out wide that eventually proved the crucial factor.

Oli Myers playing at 10 got good quick ball and spotting the town blitz defence chipped the ball over the onrushing back line for Cloughie to gather at pace, drawing the last man before a perfectly timed pass to Ben Pye gave him an unopposed run in. Cloughie added the extras and a 7 v 0 lead.

Moortown came back hard and were met with a solid defensive wall, a turnover at the scrum and a well placed kick saw the ball evade the full back and pop up into Ben Pye’s hands, who then had the gas to out sprint the cover to score 12 v 0.

Oli Myers celebrated his return with a fine try again after great work from the pack and cutting inside split the defence open to score, Cloughie again adding the extras and HT lead of 19 v 0.

The second half saw Gate playing into the wind and at times battled for everything to keep Moortown out of the 22.
Time and again a crucial turnover or crunching tackle turned defence into attack.

George Ellis capped a good game when the pack splintered the Town pack near their line and snaffled the ball and dived over for a well earned try and with the extras added a final score of 26 v 0 and the bonus point win.

The front rowers (Will, Townie, Tom, Bryn & Harvey) used today all made a significant contribution and ensured a solid platform.
In the engine room Richie led the pack superbly and made some awesome carries, Rory was secure in the lineout & very industrious and Pete Corner added guile as well as power in the second half.

The back row Daz, Rory, Harry & Ram all put in a huge shift both with ball in hand and also in D

Halfbacks George & Oli kept the game flowing well and managed the game well.

Centres CJ & Ron were dangerous I attack and rock solid in D.

The wingers captain Bekky, Ben & Kentie were always dangerous and Cloughie was solid under the high ball linked well in the attack and kicked 3 out of 4 conversions.

Good team spirit, fronted up when needed and no hint of a backward step when things got a bit feisty.

Good way to end the year.