SONICS PIP STORM TO SET UP GRAND FINAL DATE

BRISTOL SONICS 16 - 8 LEICESTER STORM Cooperative Rugby League Conference, Midlands Premier Semi-Final Saturday 14 August 2010, Aretians RFC

Bristol Sonics will play Minor Premiers Coventry Bears in the Cooperative Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier Grand Final next Saturday after edging past Leicester Storm 16-8 in a pulsating Qualification Semi-Final. A converted try from prop forward Wes Rogers 10 minutes from time was enough to seal a nervy victory over a committed Leicester side who matched Bristol hit-for-hit over 80 spellbinding minutes.

The Sonics had the better of the opening exchanges and deservedly hit the front after 18 minutes. Following consecutive sets of six deep in Storm territory Sonics', full back James Gross touched down an inch-perfect grubber kick from captain Dom Swann. With the ball bobbling threateningly behind the Storm line in the right corner, Gross pounced. Swann couldn't convert, leaving Bristol with a slender 4-0 lead.

Bristol continued to have the better of possession and territory thanks to some committed tackling, but struggled to convert their chances into points. Prop forward Stafford Lloyd believed he had scored on 25 minutes, only for referee Tom Mather to chalk the try off for a knock-on.Bristol were meant to pay five minutes later, when neat work from Simon Anniss and Dan Lineker set up the chance for Leicester winger Karl Harris to dive over inches from the touchline and level the scores. Again, the touchline conversion drifted wide.

WIth the sides level at 4-apiece at the interval, the scene was set for a dramatic final 40 minutes. Once again, Bristol started the better and created the better chances. First, substitute centre Dan Wegrzyn lost the ball inches from the Leicester try line, before good last-ditch tackling denied Johan Schoeman. Despite fluffing their lines, the Sonics were still in command.

But two cheap penalties from the Sonics allowed Leicester to march down field and attack deep in Bristol territory. When Sonics winger Sam Barker spilled the ball behind his own line after a neat Gregg Harris kick, Storm winger George Leng pounced. Again, the conversion was missed, but Leicester held a four point lead with 25 minutes remaining.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men after a 10-man brawl on the 60 minute mark. It was Bristol who made the most of the extra space, second row Neil Evans charging over to the right of the sticks to level the scores. Dom Swann's nerveless conversion gave the home side a slender 2 point lead going into the final 15 minutes.

With Leicester playing catch-up. Bristol upped their game defensively and pushed Storm back thanks to some brilliant tackling. Eventually, the mistake came and the Sonics pounced. Following a long stoppage for an injury, Sonics' hooker Harry Marson spun a short pass out to Wes Rogers, who crashed over to extend the Sonics' lead. Swann's attempted conversion bounced in off the post to stretch the lead to eight points.

Leicester threw everything at Bristol in the closing stages, but the Sonics defence stood firm to secure the club's first RLC Midlands Premier Grand Final appearance.



MATCH FACTS

BRISTOL SONICS 16

T: James Gross, Neil Evans, Wes Rogers. G: Dom Swann 2 (from 3)

LEICESTER STORM 8

T: Karl Harris, George Leng. 

Half Time: 4-4

Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-4, 4-8, 10-8, 16-8

MOTM Awards

Bristol: Dom Swann (stand off)

Leicester: Max Oxton-Morris (second row)

Referee: Tom Mather (London Society)