Nailsea & Backwell 16 pts Gordano Sharks 31 pts - WITH two matches still to play, Gordano Sharks have already won the Tribute Somerset 1 League.

Nailsea & Backwell 16 pts

Gordano Sharks 31 pts

WITH two matches still to play, Gordano Sharks have already won the Tribute Somerset 1 League.

Having secured promotion with last week's win, Gordano only needed one point from the local derby with Nailsea and Backwell to clinch the title.

As expected Gordano were made to work hard for the points against a Nailsea side determined to gatecrash the championship party.

The visitors applied the early pressure and were rewarded with a penalty after five minutes. Wing Matt Poulson nailed the 40-metre kick. Shortly after, he was forced to leave the field with a twisted knee.

Nailsea missed one shot at goal, before exchanging three pointers with Sharks' full-back Ed Whittaker taking over the kicking duties.

Gordano were first to cross the whitewash, with wing Jack Thomas scoring out wide.

The home side replied with an unconverted try, but the Sharks responded with a dominant period, with the superb Ben Harvey taking the ball to within yards of the line, No 9 Gavlar Yandell eventually going over.

Just before the break Gordano lost a lock to the sin-bin. Nailsea landing the resulting penalty to turn around just five points adrift at

11-16.

Playing down the slope, Gordano's seven-man pack led by skipper Matt Rollings, still had the upper hand, with Harvey and flanker Mike Yandell prominent.

With confidence high, the Sharks turned down a kick at goal, opting to use their powerful backs to run the ball. This paid dividends, with fly-half Aaron French crashing over.

Soon after Gordano were punished for overcomplicating a move in midfield. A loose pass was collected by the home side, and fluid passing saw the wing score in the corner.

The Sharks always seemed to have another gear, and were soon pressing for more points. A steamrolling maul took play deep into the home sides territory. Harvey broke away and was driven over the line, but it appears he was mugged by the other Yandell, as Mike was lifted out of the mud, with the ball and a big grin.

Whittaker added the conversion and a further penalty to wrap up the

hard fought victory, and set the champagne corks popping.

No 8 Ben Harvey and flanker Mike Yandell shared the Black Horse Inn man of the match award with two outstanding performances.