Saturday 19th January 2008
Retford 50 Gainsborough All Blacks 31
Gainsborough were not able to play this scheduled home fixture at Castle Hills due to the ground conditions, But Retford have a better draining ground and were able to accommodate a last minute change of venue..
Retford fielded a young and enthusiastic side but lacked scrummage experience and the game was played with uncontested scrums whilst this clearly took some of the set piece excitement out of the game the result was still 81 points in 80 minutes that kept those watching well entertained.
Gainsborough opened the scoring through Chris Synnott who carried on from where he left off last week he scored the first two tries for Gainsborough but Retford hit back with two of their own, both sides contesting everything but Retford managed to get in front before half time with another converted try to make the half time score 21 – 12 to the home team.
In the second half the fitness told for Retford and they had scored another try before Gainsborough suffered a big blow in the loss of Chris Synnott who had to leave the field with an injury this never the less didn't stop Aaron Dawson replying with a well taken try down the left wing. 26 – 17, Retford replied with two more tries both breakaways before Wayne Sendall scored with a breakaway try of his own, following the conversion from Shaun Parker Gainsborough were back in the game at 24 points to 36, this wasn't to last Retford were the more youthful side and they were quicker to the breakdown. The game finished with the home side scoring 3 more tries with an additional consolation for Gainsborough at the end of the game.
Next week The All Blacks entertain North Hykeham at Castle Hills, the game as a 2.30 KO and there will be a full training session taken by Harry Sampson before the game at 1.00pm
