Badior limped off with a badly injured ankle as Gloucester took full advantage of his absence to defeat the Cobras 29-18.

The Cobras showed glimpses of brilliance, although on several occasions poor ball handling let them down with the last pass for a number of chances to score put to ground.

The game was only four minutes old when the Gloucester hooker Craig Murray dived over near the posts to give them an early 6-0 lead.

The Cobras didn’t take long to respond after the Magpies conceded a penalty and a nice offload from front rower Sam Dunn saw Andrew Bashford dive over under the posts to level the game at 6-6.

The Cobras were unlucky not to score again soon after when a lovely exchange of passing between Jarod Rits and Joe Gorton saw Brad Johnson just fail to ground the ball over the line.

Gloucester posted next points when they dived over in the corner to increase their lead to 10-6.

Sam Dunn and Gorton combined to tie the game up and a beautiful conversion from out wide from Badior not only put the Cobras in the lead but brought up his 500th goal for the club and take his team to a 12-10 lead at the break.

The second half started in the worst possible way for the homeside. An error from the kickoff had the visitors in for another try and a 14-12 lead.

Claro fought back and long runs from arguably two of the Cobras’ best George Dunn and fullback Kurt Blowes, should have led to tries only to see the last pass go to ground.

Gloucester worked their way back into the match and posted next points through their lock to stretch their lead to 18-14 and soon after took advantage of good field position to slot a field goal and increase the margin to seven.

Badior’s day ended early in the second half when he limped off with what looked like a bad ankle injury .

The Cobras day got even worse when minutes later the visitors scored again out wide to lead 23-14 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Cobras responded through as Sam and George Dunn combined for a try, which was converted by Gorton to close the gap to 18-23 with four minutes left.

The Cobras had an opportunity again but, unfortunately, for them it was the Gloucester fullback Scott Wratten who put the game to rest when he crossed for a converted try to give the Magpies a 29-18 victory.

Badior receives club life membership for his 150 game, which included 55 tries, 500 goals for a total of 1220 points. He has scored more than 100 points in a season four times and more than 200 points twice. He scored 278 points in the 2015 premiership year. 

Clarence Town 18: Tries: Andrew Bashford, Joe Gorton, George Dunn; Goals: Phil Badior 2/2, Joe Gorton 1/1

Best Back: Kurt Blowes; Best Forward: Lachlan Jones; Supporters  Award: George Dunn; Benchy: Matt Hardy; Players’ Player: Kurt Blowes