League leaders Gordano narrowly lost their top of the table clash with Wiveliscombe, with the sides changes places in the league positions.

Wiveliscombe 22 pts

Gordano 19 pts

Gordano’s first game in the new year saw them take the long trip down to Wiveliscombe to play in a top of the table clash, returning home narrowly beaten.

Gordano knew they had a massive challenge ahead with the home team having an unbeaten home record that goes back a couple of years.

The visitors lost the all-important toss and played down the slope in the first-half. Both teams tried to force their physical games upon each other, but Gordano were the first to break the arm wrestle and moved the ball wide and full-back Noah Homes-McAdam scored, converted by Hodge.

Wiveliscombe came back strongly and tried to use their strike runners to get them on the front foot, but Gordano’s defence stood strong. When Gordano got the ball, they tried to use their offload game, but the Wivvy defence was just as organised.

Gordano were wearing the home side down and with five minutes left in the half, centre Sam Hodge broke free and scored close to the posts, but he hit the post with the conversion to lead 12-0 at the break.

The second half was as you would expect with Wivvy using the slope to get territory and build pressure, Gordano’s defence was working hard and were defending for long periods of time.

After 20 minutes, Wivvy scored their first try with their scrum-half going though the middle of the ruck to score, conversion added to make the score 7-12.

Five minutes later, the hosts were back in the Gordano 22 and scored out wide to level. The home side took the lead for the first time in the game with 10 minutes left, but Gordano’s response was first class as they caught the ball from the kick-off and never gave it up until they were scoring for themselves up the slope.

The conversion was excellently kicked with Gordano retaking the lead by two points with five minutes left. Wivvy pinned the visitors in their 22 and when Gordano were harshly penalised at a ruck, Wiveliscombe set up their last play and a crossfield kick bounced kindly for their winger to score in the corner to take the lead.

This was a tough game with the conditions and slope on the pitch forcing the game into a forward battle. The work rate and attitude of the Gordano players was of the highest standards, but they were unlucky not to get more out of the game.

Gordano take a bonus point from the game, but the win gave Wiveliscombe a two-point lead in the league but with 11 games left, Gordano still have plenty of chances to get back on top.

On Saturday, Gordano play local rivals Nailsea and Backwell at Caswell Lane, with a 2.30pm kick-off.