Brave Hull Isberg lose out to Lambwath Lions

Brave Hull Isberg lose out to Lambwath Lions

Pride, Commitment, Play for your mates, backs against the wall..

These was all words used in the build up to Hull Isberg taking on Lambwath Lions, with Isberg only having 13 players available we knew this was always going to be a tough day at the office.

However this did not deter the spirit and belief what we have within the group at the moment and the first 10 minutes of the game certainly proved this.

Isberg received the kick off and set the tone almost immediately with 16 year old Callum Stark charging the ball back at pace, two plays later and Jack Laws took the ball to the line, he managed to get a Cory Parker style offload to Adam Sunman who took off and parted the Lambwath defence like Moses parted the red sea, he rounded the fullback with ease but was dragged down 10 meters shy of the try line. After a quick play the ball the ball was shipped left to Adam Clark who had the job of finding the right pass which went to Jordan larvin who barged over in the corner from close range.

Conversion was missed by George Russell.

Hull Isberg 4 - Lambwath 0

Hull Isberg continued on the front foot with the front row of Mike Harper and Jack Laws who was playing injured taking the game to Lambwath eating up the yards down the middle backed up superbly by the mobile back row of Steve Gale, Jordan larvin and Adam Sunman.

However the next set of attacking sets came to nothing with the ball being spilled in crucial areas.

It was Isberg’s turn to be put under the cosh, some dubious referee decisions saw Lambwath march down field on the back of a few penalties and Isberg battled bravely and held out 3 repeat sets, however tiredness eventually told when Lambwath sneaked in at the corner after Isberg had defended 19 tackles on their own line.

Conversion was missed.

Hull Isberg 4 - Lambwath 4

The next 25 minutes neither team gave an inch, both going set for set with defences on top. Isberg almost broke the dead lock with a piece of individual skill by George Russell who chipped over the defensive line and regathered, committed the fullback and chipped over him and regathered only for the final pass to the supporting Steve Gale to go to ground.

The back three from Isberg was really working overtime bringing the ball back from kicks and putting in some crucial last ditch tackles, the wingers of Travis Smith and Callum Stark both aged just 16 really worked hard helping out the forwards who was forced to play the full 80 minutes. Aidan Gardner at full back racked up at least 6 try saving tackles throughout the game as well as diving face first onto countless loose balls.

As half time drew closer the fatigue started to show, Lambwath’s big interchanges was causing damage through the Isberg tired bodies and Lambwath managed to sneak a try right before the half time hooter.

Again the kick was missed, it was that bad of an attempt it wouldn’t have looked out of place on a bloopers highlight reel.

Hull Isberg 4 - Lambwath 8

Half time whistle went with the Isberg lads tired but in a confident mood, they realised even with 13 men they had a chance.

Second half kicked off again Isberg attacking the Lambwath line, after some good approach play from Blake Stratford and Mike Harper, the ball shipped right with a clear overlap only for a Lambwath player who was that far offside he was stood in the Isberg attacking line picked off the final pass and raced 90 meters to score under the sticks.

Simple conversion was kicked.

Hull Isberg 4 - Lambwath 14

Heads could of easily gone down but they remained held high, remained in the fight and tried to take the game to Lambwath, Dale Hickingbotham causing problems from the Hooking role with his elusive style almost created the opening only for his pass to George Russell who was in clear was deemed forward. Harsh Call.

It was Elliott Hepworth in the left centre who was next to test the Lambwath defence, he broke down the left and was heading for the corner, as he went airborne he was met by the Lambwath defenders who just managed to force him in touch prior to grounding the ball (Apparently).

Strong Defence from Isberg again saw them win the ball back Jack Laws in particular catching the eye with some heavy shots, unfortunately he was forced to leave the field, already playing hurt, he further hurt his shoulder forcing him off the pitch. Isberg was down to 12.

This did not dampen the spirits, Adam Clark putting in a Captains knock leading his charges around the field with half back partner George Russell, both of which taking on the Lambwath line at every chance.

Isberg had the break through shortly after the injury stoppage, a nice Gidley offload from Aidan Gardner saw Travis Smith in a bit of space, he gained some valuable meters, Adam Sunman then went close after a powerful charge, Adam Clark then took the line on and put a deft kick through into the in goal where Jordan larvin won the footrace to touch down near the corner flag.

George Russell stepped up and calmly slotted the conversion.

Hull Isberg 10 - Lambwath 14

The belief was back, Isberg believed they could go on and win this and it wasn’t long before they was peppering the Lambwath line again, a nice kick on the last by George Russell managed to force a repeat set after Elliott Hepworth managed to trap his man in goal for a drop out.

From the resulting set Mike Harper, Steve Gale and Jack Laws, who had returned to the field and was basically playing with one arm set the tone and again Isberg attacked right and it was the same link up as the first two tries with Adam Clark picking out Jordan larvin on a short ball who barged is way over from 5 meters out.

Conversion was dragged just wide by George Russell.

Hull Isberg 14 - Lambwath 14 - Game On

Intensity picked up tenfold, players from both teams was feeling the pinch, Jack Laws barrelling into an opposing prop saw the latter hunched on all fours for a considerable amount of time in all sorts of discomfort with a knock to the throat.
Blake Stratford literally shook the world with a monster hit on an opposing prop who certainly felt that one.
Isberg went close to pinching the game, it was the half backs linking up again after a neat kick through from Adam Clark for the onrushing George Russell as he was about to collect and dive over the ball cruelly bounced in the wrong direction and out of reach.

As the game drew to a close Lambwath started to press, using the fresher legs of a full 17, last ditch tackles managed to keep them at bay but unfortunately Isberg was unable to get out of their own half.
Tiredness eventually told and Lambwath managed to sneak a try only two minutes from full time, the powerful loose forward spinning out of some tired defending pass on and they used the simple overlap to score in the corner

Conversion was kicked

Hull Isberg 14 - Lambwath 20

Isberg managed to kick the ball out from the kick off but with time running down they went close on a few occasions but could not get over the try line as the ref blew for full time.

Full Time
Hull Isberg 14 Lambwath 20

Coach James Atkin had this to say
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the boys who are committed to this club, both on and off the field, Its days like today that show the real character and never say die attitude that this club prides its self on. People come and go but the badge and the colours remain.
I’m very proud of the spine of this team who have held it together and are still making a go of it whilst we are running on fumes."