Rugby

Redingensians 21 Coney Hill 17

By Nigel Sutcliffe
February 24, 2010

James Watkins grabbed a disputed late winner to get Gensians out of jail in this National 3 South West clash.

Gensians had surrendered a 14-0 lead, with the Gloucester side storming back with three touchdowns in a blistering six- minute spell.

The visitors were incensed when referee Friend allowed Watkins’ vital score after he peeled off from a maul following a lineout and raced 30 yards to score.

They had failed to contest the maul – a dangerous ploy with the game in the balance – and claimed Gensians should have been penalised.

Gensians coach Alun Rise admitted: “We didn’t perform a patch on last week when we lost at Taunton.

“Our discipline was poor. There was too much back-chat. We gave the ball away too easily and we also wasted chances to make the game secure.

“But the plus side is that after nearly throwing the game away, we dug in and won.”

New signing Aaron Hopkins, making his home debut, put Gensians in front after 17 minutes.

He sliced through the home defence from a set scrum for Peter Freeth to add the extras. Gensians squandered opportunities to build on their slender advantage in a turgid, mistake-strewn half.

The game only came alight on the hour when a strike against the head and a pick up by Watkins set up a touchdown for Jez Flynn.

Coney Hill refused to give in and hit back as Gensians’ scrum came under increasing pressure in the absence of injured tight head Jamie Baker.

Gensians lost concentration and were punished by tries from Jay Flinter, Danny Davis and Jamie Cole, plus a Rory Baker conversion, leaving them 17-14 down with seven minutes to go.

Then Watkins struck with the dramatic winner with a minute of regular time left. No. 8 Rob Stapley caught the eye with some good work, while Hopkins looks a very useful capture.

Another bonus was the place kicking of Freeth, who landed a superb touchline conversion of Watkins’ try.

Redingensians: Allen, Swadling, Freeth, Reynolds, Clements; Hopkins, Flynn (Matthews); Saunders, Dewland, Clare; G Davies (S Hallett), Root, Hulland, Watkins, Stapley. Sub not used: Russell.

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