After a comfortable win to start their 2014 campaign, the Clarence Town Cobras first home game for the season resulted in a clumsy, if not frustrating, 32-18 loss to the Gloucester Magpies.
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Take nothing away from the visitors as the best team won on the day, but just a few elementary errors in possession or uncommitted defence were the basis of their demise.
The Cobras were on the back foot just minutes into the game when the Gloucester centre scored after gaining possession from a Clarro kick that failed to find touch.
Down 6-0 the home-side quickly regrouped and settled into the contest.
Gorman and Jackonia were strong up front and made several punishing tackles and runs to keep the visitors at bay, but after 20 scoreless minutes the Cobras surrendered possession close to their line which in turn allowed the Magpies to construct a clever piece of work and slip a neat ball to cross in the corner.
An unsuccessful conversion left Gloucester with a handy 10-0 lead.
Then just as that deficit seemed an acceptable halftime score, one forced pass led to a change of possession which allowed the opposition hooker to score an untimely converted try as the siren sounded to make the job of winning just that little bit harder with a 16-0 scoreline in favour of the Magpies.
The Cobras came out running in the second half.
The forwards steamrolled their way deep into their opponents’ territory and from an ensuing play the ball, Badior used smart footwork to fool the defence and score.
Clarro were right back in the game.
For the first 15 minutes of the second half that may have been true, but when Clarro dropped the ball on the first tackle from a kick in general play they once again paid the price.
A clever kick in behind the defence saw the Magpies fullback pounce on the rolling ball to score a smart try and stretch their lead to 20-6, and with a glut of possession, mounted enough pressure for their hooker to cross for his second and third tries and extend the lead to a commanding 32-6.
As much as the game was out of their hands, Clarro put in a spirited final 15 minutes.
Maytom, who had been good off the bench all game, steamed on to a pass 35 metres out to split the defence and give their fullback no chance to stop him.
Badior converted to make the score 12-32.
On the back of a very dubious disallowed try from Johnson, Maytom again made a long run which saw Ben Trappel weave and step his way to the tryline and close the gap to 32-18 fulltime scoreline.
All in all the game was disappointing in the fact the Cobras shot themselves in the foot on too many occasions.
But in saying tha, it is pleasing to see the fight and the skills when they do control enough possession.
Congratulations to Mick Delaney and Steve Boyton, who, after forking out $410 for the Woodside Electrical sponsored No 9 jersey at our auction, have pocketed themselves $485 as a result of that jersey scoring the first try at a home game.
I did forget to thank Tavis Chivers last week who donated his time to help with our annual jersey auction in which three jerseys made over $550.
Best forward Buddi Jackonia, best back Brad Johnson, best benchy Mitch Maytom , supporters award: Buddi Jackonia and players’ player:Callan Gorman.
Best and fairest points 3 Buddi Jackonia, 2 Brad Johnson and 1 Mitch Maytom.