Rugby Ball.

Gordano travelled to Minehead and came away with a narrow victory.

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Minehead 15 pts 
Gordano 21 pts

AFTER three weeks without league action, Gordano struggled to get into their stride during the opening exchanges at Minehead.

Playing into a stiff breeze, Gordano paid the price for a defensive lapse that gifted Minehead a simple try. The conversion was added to an earlier penalty.

Finding themselves 10 points behind after 20 minutes, Gordano needed to regroup and start to control the game. A penalty from Ash Cotrell settled nerves slightly, but shortly after the visitors found themselves down to 13 players with both props being sin binned. One penalised for persistent offside and the other for questioning the referee’s decision.

This uncustomary lack of discipline looked sure to be punished over the next 10 minutes. Influential hooker, Ben Gilmore had already been forced from the field with a shoulder injury and when speedy wing, Harry Lancely was forced off with an eye injury, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

Full back Ed Whitaker controlled the defensive pattern and was greatly assisted by the hard working back row of Lee Worgan, Matt Wilshire and Mike Yandall. Captain and fly-half, Aaron French began to control the tempo and territory with some clever kicks.

When Fred Young and Matt Stevens returned from their enforced 10 minute rest, they needed to thank their team mates for the sterling effort that had prevented the home side from scoring, while Cotrell added another penalty during this period.

Restored to a full team and with the wind in their backs during the second half, Gordano took charge. French crossed from a set piece training ground move, which Cotrell converted.

The best passage of play all afternoon followed when Cotrell was put into the corner following a 70 metre move. Several phases of play were completed and practically every player was involved as the ball was moved up the field.

The travelling support felt that the Somerset Premier League points were in the bag, but Minehead had other ideas. They crossed for a try of their own to make the score 15-18.

A tense final five minutes was in store before Cotrell stepped up to kick a tricky penalty and to put the game beyond doubt at 15-21.