Umee Gibraltar Rugby Championship Round 1

Ibex Buccaneers 42-5 Sovereign Scorpions

It was a lively start to this match with both teams testing each other in the early stages, but it was the Buccaneers who eventually wrestled control and dominated much of the match.

They had some early pressure but conceded a couple of penalties allowing the Scorpions to clear their line and go on the offensive. This was followed by a lengthy interruption due to an injury but when play resumed it was the Buccaneers who took command, and it was only a matter of time before their pressure broke the deadlock.

The Buccs narrowly missed a score from a lovely cross-field kick when the ball bounced the wrong way but, in the next play, a neat feint and step from fly-half Lewis sent the defence the wrong way, allowing him to touch down. This rattled the Scorpions and only a few minutes later Lovelace added to their pain with a touchdown in the corner for what would be the first of his three tries. Loddo and Sweeney, both running great lines, added to the Buccaneers score and with Ben Jones adding the conversions, it was 28-0 at half time.

The Scorpions tightened things up in the second half and it was Hammond who got on the score sheet first with a well-worked try and no small effort to ground the ball. The Buccaneers, however, were not going to relinquish their lead easily and both teams had to put in strong defensive shifts. The Scorpions continued to press the Buccaneers line but on two occasions lost possession leading to two breakaway scores by Lovelace from his own 22, which put paid to any Scorpions comeback.

Spirit of the Rock Man of the Match

Man of the Match was awarded to Ed Lewis for his control of the match, as well as even scoring a few tries himself.