Gannets off to a flyer

With no preseason games under their belt,the Gannets came into this game looking to avenge 33-19 to the Anchorians at the back end of last season.Ben finally had a full complement of players to choose from after not having that luxury at all last season,and a strong side took the field.

Before the game kicked off Ben 10,well 9 when he started,had negotiated a water break every 20 mins.Not because of the unseasonably warm weather,but because the Gannets were desperately unfit.This initially confused the ref who proceeded to call for the teams to change ends after the first 'quarter',NFL styley.

The game kicked off and the Gannets were quick out of the blocks with strong scummaging and some good work with driving mauls and leech balls,only for it to be undone by dropped balls and knock ons,It wasn't long before the backs were seeing the ball.Strong running from Steve Wootton playing in an unfamiliar 10 role and Jetski now moved to inside centre made inroads into the Anchorians half.

Several times the try line beckoned,the closest being when Mitch Dorsett barrelled his way down to the line,only to be denied by a blocking knee.A change came 5 minutes before the half when Steve Wootton had to depart due to a dead leg.Big H came on at prop with Martin Taylor moving to 9 and Ben to 10.

An offside decision against the Gees on what was perhaps Gillinghams only foray into their 22 gave them an easy kick at goal which they gratefully accepted.Half time 3-0.

After a half time word with themselves,the Gees took the game to the Anchorians with purpose.A great move started by the pack resulted in the ball moving along the back line and eventually back to Rich Snape who clattered into the home teams fifties throwback fullback,thus sending him semi conscious to A&E.Thankfully he emerged ok and was seen in the bar post match,pint in hand,Good lad.

Anyway,due to the injury the game was moved to an adjacent pitch with a centrefield scrum and it didn't take long for the Gees to trouble the non existent scoreboard.More great work from the pack resulted in the ball finding Ollie just outside the 22 and his slashing run beat several tackles before touching down under the sticks.

It wasn't long before the score was doubled.A clever chip through by Ben and a quite frankly,appalling (for Gillingham) bounce fell straight to Jetski inside the 22 and let's face it,you're not gonna catch him in a one on one.3-14 with the conversion.

The resulting kickoff went straight to H who put his head down and,well,ran,you know when your kids hold onto your ankles and tell you to walk?It was pretty much like that really.Several recycled phases later and Jetski got his second with a typically elusive run.

By now the home side were demoralised and looking to see out the game and it was no surprise when the ball found it's way along the back line to Dan Beazer who glided as gracefully as his shaggy barnet would allow him,across the try line.

Final score 3-28.

A great team performance overall against a big but limited Anchorians side.You could say that the first half was effectively our preseason with everything being put into practise in the second period.Tougher tests will no doubt be down the road but there's an excellent vibe and team spirit amongst this Gannets team and you underestimate them at your peril.

Impossible for me to pick a man of the match as everyone 1 to 16 put a shift in but in my book Gary 'Paddy' Curran easily won best facial hair of the match just pipping Mitch and beating Rich,the Asian Mayhew into third....the bearded beserker was all over the Anchorians like an ill fitting suit despite clearly not knowing what the f*ck was going on.Or maybe he did?One to ponder,

Until next time...