Spitfires shoot down Giants

8:58am Tuesday 24th June 2008

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SOUTHAMPTON SPITFIRES 80 SOUTH DORSET GIANTS 4 SOUTH Dorset Giants faced a tough task in their debut outing where the experience of the Southampton Spitfires prevailed.

This first ever rugby league game for the newly formed Giants took the form of four quarters, each 20 minutes in length with a break in between.

The Spitfires' line-up contained highly experienced players and some members of the South of England RFL squad.

South Dorset, under the stewardship of captain Dave Allan, coach Anthony Cowburn and assistant coach Mel Barlow, started the game full of spirit and determination but were unluckily to go behind after a runaway try from the Spitfires.

The Giants stuck to their task and showed promise for future games as their understanding of the code and the skills required to play rugby league improved as the match progressed.

In the end, despite the Giants scoring through Tim Comben who crashed over in the corner to add a consolation try, it was Southampton who ran out worthy winners.

South Dorset's next outing will be at Monmouth Avenue on July 5 when the Exeter Centurions visit.

Allan said: "There was a lot of good work shown by the Giants' players, they stuck at their task and in the end we learnt a lot from the game which will hold us in good stead for the future.

"There was some great running from loose forward Will Hughes, centre Adam Hoxey and wing Ryan Lewendon, and good tackling from centre James Ford, Hooker Andy Wood and prop Tony Worle."

Giants' man of the match: Anthony Cowburn Giants: Paul Walmsley, Nathan Walmsley, Mark Sample, James Borrington, Dave Allan, Tim Comben, Andy Wood, John Leatham, Lian Berry, Will Hughes, Ryan Lewendon, Adam Hoxey, Anthony Cowburn, James Ford, Tony Worle.