Zingari v Old Gravesendians Match Report

Match Report. 17.04.26

Old Gravesendians 2^nd v Canterbury 5^th

Canterbury5th 54pts.  Old Gravesendians 12pts.

The Zingari delivered an outstanding performance against Old Gravesendians putting them back in contention for a possible league title. With all to play for the Zingari came out of the blocks from the kick off driving deep into Gravesendians territory for Ashley Nwapa to break free of his would-be tackler for the first converted try. The pressure was unrelenting and ten minutes later quick ball from a ruck gave Vince Collett his chance to break the defensive line for the city’s second converted try. The pattern was set the city forward’s making ground with the backs exploiting the gaps, this had a secondary effect allowing Ash Nwapa to set off on a tackle braking run for his second try of the afternoon converted by Rob Horan. Next up was Brad Allchurch  making a return after a long absence showing some of his old magic sliding through the gaps in a broken defence to add to the try tally, with Rob Horan adding the extras. Gravesend who had looked dangerous on several occasions only the Zingari tackling had stemmed them before they took to the boot gaining a lineout in the Canterbury twenty-two that they exploited to power over from short range for a converted try giving them the last word of the half.

The second half  started much the same way with the Zingari applying all the pressure, and it wasn’t long before Vince Collett spotted ta gap in broken play to go under the posts for a converted try. However, it was Old Gravesendians who struck the next blow putting in a long penalty kick  winning the lineout to go over out wide for the unconverted try. Canterbury got back to work after this setback with a greater sense of urgency with some of their best play of the season, despite Gravesendians aggressive tackling the Zingari opened up play with some of the best handling of the season with backs and forwards combining to open up the defence. Soon the gap appeared for Vince Collett try converted by Rob Horan  followed by Finnan Langley crashing over for his converted try. With the game going into the last minutes the final blow came from Tony Carollo coming in from full back providing the extra man to touch down cementing a convincing win.

1Ash

2 Vince

3 Ash

4  Brad

5 Vince

6 ? Vince

7 Finnan

8 Tony