East Retford 1st XV 53 Pts V Ollerton 1st XV 8 Pts

By Iain Balmer

Having beaten them in the league and then lost in a cup semi-final Retford certainly wanted to finish their league campaign on a high and as can be seen from the score they certainly did.

Although the sluggish start gave the opening salvos of play to Ollerton as they started the better and were soon rewarded with an easy penalty for a three point lead.

It took Retford until the eight minute mark before all was put level with a sweetly hit kick from Joshua Freeman and then Retford got into gear going forwards from all areas of the park. Making great runs especially from Matt Griffiths in the forwards and Jordan Mee in the backs.

Retford forwards provided a solid platform down the right before releasing great ball down the backline the ball found Josh Nicklin on the left wing who had plenty to do but his show of strength took him to the line to score, converted by Freeman. From the kick off Retford were forced back but another run from Griffiths put Retford on the front foot. The ball was taken on by Will Wilkinson who showed his skills with a timely pass to Freeman who turned on the gas to score in the right corner.

The forwards were in control of the breakdown area and drove the ball down field before releasing the backline again this time in the opposite way releasing Freeman to score again. With the forwards dominating it seemed only fair for their hard work to be rewarded as they worked up the field again. With some good close work and passing between all the players Wilkinson broke free to power over and score, converted by Freeman.

As time was running out in the half the forwards recycled a good lineout and once again forced the visitors over the line for another try by Griffiths ending the half thirty two points to three up. At the interval Retford rang the changes dusting off Messer’s Iain Balmer and Kurt Spencer to help out from their second team roles and also Josh Dixon and Mick Sykes on as replacements, as Retford looked to continue in the good vein of form in the second half.

However Ollerton started the stronger and faster team from the interval; and were soon on the attack and as Retford’s defence blitzed the opposition Ollerton’s centre placed a timely chip through to score their only try of the game. Retford were proving too powerful in the forwards and soon put the pressure on through the scrums, pushing the visitors off their own ball and allowing Griffiths once again to collect the try earned by the whole pack, converted by Freeman.

Retford were in control and enjoying the rugby they were playing as Harry salathiel came on in the forwards before Sykes who had two or three good runs with the ball put an inch perfect cross kick in for Freeman to latch onto and run through to score his third of the day which he also converted. Retford in free flow at this time where almost everything seemed to work as Salathiel collected an unexpected lineout ball and drove up the blind side. A call went up in the backs and the ball was passed out where Griffiths came on the charge and a nicely judged pass saw him through the gap to score his third, Freeman adding the extras for the final score.

Ollerton contributed well but it was to be Retford’s day with an awesome first half performance. Ollerton awarded the Man of the Match awards to Matt Griffiths and Josh Freeman for their three tries apiece with the Donkey also going to Freeman for not being able to operate a drinks bottle.

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Key moments

8:00

Penalty Josh Freeman kicks a penalty for East Retford

15:00

Try Josh Nicklin scores for East Retford

15:00