Result : Bath Gladiators Rugby League 6 – 20 Devon Sharks Rugby League
With both teams having waited over a year since their last rugby match, it was not unexpected to see the giddiness among both teams as they warmed up for their first match post lock-down. However, off the field, the game had a strange feel to it as Covid restrictions required the teams to follow strict protocols and for Bath Gladiators to restrict spectators from cheering them on from the sidelines.
Referee Kristoff Young was officiating the game and as the teams kicked off it was Devon Sharks who started on the front foot with Charlie Dore going over early for the Sharks first try followed by Jon Ross missing the conversion.
Bath Gladiators were showing flashes of what can be expected from Matt Bodeys’ men this season as they more than held their own and fired back with a try scored by Michael Salter before Josh Frost added the extras. Bath Gladiators were looking bright and thought that they had added to their lead with Josh Frost going over the line only for referee Kristoff to disallow it. The first half continued fairly even before Sharks added 2 tries, the first scored by Josh Dore and then by Ben Spear with a new kicker, Wes Keywood failing with both conversions. The game was fairly even as Kristoff blew an end to the first half with Bath trailing 6-12 to Devon Sharks.
The second continued as an even contest with the momentum switching from team to team. Once again the Gladiators were left frustrated as they had another try disallowed, this time scored by Cieran Chester. In the final quarter, both teams’ lack of matches showed with Devon scoring 2 more tries through Arron Graham and Wes Keywood, but failed to convert the 2 kicks to give Devon Sharks 0/5 on their conversions for the game.
As Kristoff blew his final whistle both teams knew they had been in a game and the joy of a return to normality could be seen on the faces of both sets of players as they left the field.
Commenting on the game Bath Gladiators try scorer Michael Salter commented “It was a euphoric feeling to be back playing rugby league. Considering that it’s the first match back, I’m proud of both teams but especially our lads for giving 100% for the full 80 minutes.”
“It was a close game and on another day I think we’d have had a couple more tries, but fair play to Devon, they are a good side and we wish them well for the season ahead.”