Heads held high despite defeat

As a rugby team you could be forgiven for thinking that it's not going to be your day when you have to play a flanker in the second row and a prop on the wing.And the other team show up with players that would never in a million years get into a Gannets side.That meaning they work out,have trendy haircuts,are young and built like brick sh*thouses but hey,the Gannets kind of expected this with the oppos thirds not having a game and took to banana pitch 2 in a determined mood.

It was actually the home side that made the better start much to the surprise of everyone,including themselves.Sensible rugby from the forwards,well marshalled by a not as angry as usual Gareth Williams made steady ground up the hill whilst in defence,long kicks downfield from the Wells 10 were field by everyones favourite Lithuanian rugby player,Vid,and returned with some big kicks of his own.

The first came after good work from the home forwards took them to within a couple of metres of the Wells line before Ben Baker squeezed a drop through for a 3-0 lead.

Wells immediately stepped up their game and their backs were now starting to gain ground,their big 12 proving especially difficult to bring down.The home defence was resolute however and left the visitors frustrated until a miss move outfoxed the Gees and the Wells fly half touched down for a try which he also failed to convert.

The Gannets were by now firmly on the back foot but holding firm.A stand out tackle from Dan Beazer preventing a certain try under the posts.Wells kept plugging away and an inside to their 12 was taken on the hoof and he took several defenders with him to score.

A nasty looking head injury to Percy caused a stoppage just before the half but it was nothing some bandage and electrical tape couldn't remedy.Half time 3-12.

The second was mostly a stale mate with neither side troubling the others try line as the rain came down and caused handling errors for both sides,especially the Wells backs with their speed of passing and movement seemingly confusing themselves let alone the Gees.

A final burst to the home line from the Wells forwards eventually created an overlap in the backs and their outside centre slipped through unopposed for the final score of the game.

The Gannets can be rightly proud of their performance in defeat today.Missing three second row and a two centres they put in a full 80 minutes against a team that clearly had a few players from higher teams in it.But hey,that's their prerogative and that's fourth team rugby for you.

As I said,everyone played their part today but special mentions go to Mike Percival who never took a backward step all day,despite his head injury,Gareth Williams who didn't misplace a pass all game despite serious pressure from his younger and quicker opposite number and of course Vid,the mad Lithuanian.I can't recall him ever playing fullback but he acquitted himself expertly,gathered every ball that came his way and never let his team mates down.

Anyway,until next time...