Withycombe were pushed all the way by Gordano on the way to a 17-10 win in the RFU Southern Counties Senior Vase final.
Gordano's second try came off the final movement of the match, which hints at a game that wasn't as close as it seems.
Nigel Symons, Withycombe's director of rugby, said nothing could be further from the truth.
"We were allowed a 22-man squad for the game and needed each and every one of them," said Symons.
"Gordano were always going to be tough opponents, we knew that as they are top of their league and have won 18 out of 19 games.
"After we went ahead in the first half they had us under the cosh for 25 minutes, but we defended with great commitment to keep them out.
"Crucial for us was scoring at the start of the second half – a time when we can be vulnerable to conceding – as that took the wind out of their sails.
"It was still a real battle in the second half though and our lads came off drained. Some of them were still sipping water in the dressing room an hour afterwards, it had taken that much out of them."
Symons said there were two real stand-out performances in the side which he felt made a big difference.
"John Axon jumping at two in the line-out won all our ball and nicked some of theirs – we had a platform, they didn't," said Symons.
"Eugene Badenhorst on the flank ran and ran all afternoon. Where he went – carrying the ball or supporting the ball carrier – the rest followed his example."
Symons said Withies will be away to Swindon Old Boys in the next round of the competition, a team he knows nothing about.
"It doesn't really matter as once you get this far in any competition like this the opposition are going to be useful," said Symons.
Withies went ahead with a penalty try awarded for a third collapsed scrum blamed on Gordano from a five-metre Withies put in. Glenn Channing converted.
Try number two came early in the second half as Adie Tomar dived over after Axon had battered his way to the line. Channing added the extras.
Gordano got a try in reply and it stayed 14-5 until the 77th minute when Channing slotted a penalty.
There was no time to restart the game after Gordano scored their second try.
