Tough Day

Fordingbridge RFC Versus Dorchester RFC

Attendance: A healthy following.

Landmarks:- All three Gogin members start a senior fixture for the first time.

With a team assembled of a mixture of young and old including a few returnees after a long break, Fordingbridge on paper had a strong team.

The usual Achilles heel happened once again when a lack of concentration resulted in Fordingbridge conceding an early converted try. In the run up to the try Fordingbridge lost birthday boy Paddy Gogin to what looked like a nasty shoulder injury which needed hospital treatment. Paddy was replaced by Anton Mayes who is making a fantastic contribution to the second team this year as well as new recruit Andy Smith.

With the new rules of rolling subs Fordingbridge literally rolled Mike Parry onto the field and after continuous pressure on the Dorchester line Parry took a short ball off the impressive Chris Gogin to score his first try of the season.

Dorchester were reduced to 14 men just before halftime and Fordingbridge looked to capitalise on the number advantage with Dave Gogin being denied what looked like a certain try. Pressure was building and the was an air of inevitability when the score came just before half time with ex first team skipper Dean Lewis crashing over. The conversion was missed.

10 - 12 Half Time

Optimism was high at half time with Fordingbridge looking like they could record a first win of season. Heads were high during the half time team talk, but we lost Raul to a rib injury who was tackling everything that moved along with the tireless Rob Sallows.

But, the tables were turned, Dorchester upped their game and along with three yellow cards Fordingbridge were never able to get in to the half, with the breakdown becoming a lottery it was to prove a long afternoon with Dorchester running in various tries to Fordingbridge’s solitary one, which was scored by Mike Parry.

Final Score 15 - 59

As no one can doubt the endeavour is there, and with players like Adrian Tully slowly coming back into the fold and the long term injuriy returnees, return, it will be only a matter of time that Fordingbridge record a deserved victory.

There was no man of the match or DOD as we celebrated the Gogin Twins 18th birthday with a cake and beer eating challenge.

But unofficially the MOM was Rob Sallows for his overall contribution.