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Sat 05 Mar 2022 · Yorkshire One
West Leeds
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1st XV Comeback To Win An Entertaining Encounter at West Leeds
Goole RUFC7 Mar 2022 - 16:35
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Holt Saves The Day
Another fantastic win for Goole, this one at the home of old adversaries, West Leeds. Always a difficult place to get anything out of.
Conditions were good, with a dry pitch and the sun shining but with a gusting wind blowing diagonally across the pitch. West Leeds kicked-off with the wind in their favour. They certainly new how to use the advantage and within 2 minutes were on the scoreboard with an easy kick in front of the posts to go 3 nil in front. Goole restarted the game and for the first time got themselves into the home sides 22 courtesy of Jones, whose strong run through the centre of Leeds defence was rewarded with a penalty to Goole. Moore chose to kick for the corner, instead of the posts and was rewarded with a catch and drive from the lineout for Will Townend to dive over for Goole's opening try giving them a 3-5 lead after only 4 minutes.
The next 15 minutes was a toe-to-toe battle, Leeds in particular putting pressure on Goole’s defence courtesy of the high kick in the strong swirling wind. This tactic not only gaining them territory but at the same time testing Goole's back three who performed admirably securing ball and holding out until support arrived. West Leeds, however, were very much the top dog during this period and only desperate defence kept them out several times. As is Goole's want in recent weeks, they managed not only to hold on but bettered that with a copy book penalty kick to the right corner of West Leed's 22. A lineout move straight from the training pitch saw Jack Smith enter the lineout from the scrum half position into a space created by good movement in the line and dive over for a second Goole try, converted by Moore. The score now 3-12 in favour of the visitors after 20 minutes of the game.
During the opening period West Leeds had seemed to be talking back to the official who subsequently penalised them, obviously, an area of his game he was keen to control. Goole also getting punished on 24 minutes when Pprop Lamb was yellow carded for reacting verbally to the referee’s latest decision. He was sent from the field for a 10 minute cool down. West Leeds looked to take advantage of Goole's scrum being disrupted by opting for three consecutive scrums. Ultimately the pressure resulted in Leeds suddenly changing tactics at the latest scrum penalty for their scrum half to tap and go, resulting in a try by the posts to bring them within 2 points of Goole.
West Leeds were now in full control of both territory and possession and produced a full-on assault on Goole's line. Goole, as is the norm, weathered the storm well until a missed clearance kick was held up in the air by the strong wind allowing the home side to pick up the loose ball and walk in for their second try after 30 minutes. 17-12.
On the 35th minute came one of those game changing moments. Leeds moving the ball wide, to use their speed advantage out wide, easily outpacing Gooles back line to put their player clear and on a one to one with fullback Holt. To no-one’s surprise Holt did what he always does, standing firm and producing a copy book crunching tackle to stop the Leeds assault dead in its tracks, much to the dismay of the home crowd. The only other score of the half came on the 40th minute, with a West Leeds penalty to leave the score at the break 20-12 in favour of West Leeds.
The strong travelling band of Goole supporters watching took a breath and hoped that the windy conditions would now work in Goole's favour. Well, they were all struck dumb when straight from the re-start West Leeds regathered the ball and a rare defensive lapse saw the centre break clear and score under the posts to increase Leeds advantage to 27-12.
Goole regrouped and seven minutes later launched a strong passage of play involving several quick rucks and pick and goes resulting in Will Townend being driven over for an unconverted try. 27-17.
50 minutes on the clock, Goole again pushing forward in the pack, with the unlikely result in winger Malcolmson coming out of the ruck to dive in to score. The score now closing in with West Leeds holding onto a 27-22 lead. The next 10 minutes saw some disjointed play from Goole. In possession one minute, the next Leeds appearing with the ball as the game got a little loose. When Goole were penalised by the ref West Leeds opted to kick from 30 metres out and the scoreline opened up again to a 30-22 lead for the home team.
Goole, as we have come to expect, play to the last blast of the whistle and always seem to play with hope regardless of how the games going. So it was no surprise when another foray into the home side's half ended with Barrass going over in the corner, Moore again delivering from the most difficult of positions to bring Goole within one point of West Leeds on the 63 minutes. 30-29. Three minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Goole for further Leeds infringements, Moore obliging with a well struck penalty from 35 metres. These three points providing Goole with a slender lead. 30-32, with 14 minutes remaining.
The final period saw West Leeds throw everything they could at Goole as they had throughout the game, their sprightly back division got into overlap territory, providing some desperate moments for Goole. Best summed up by yet another try saving, game saving tackle from Danny Holt in a one on one position. Goole defended manfully as the home side slowly gained territory, their discipline was good as they held firm in goal kicking range without conceding a kickable penalty until a turnover allowed them to clear to deep into the hosts 22 where they saw out the game.
These were two equally matched sides who provided 80 minutes of entertainment for all watching. Credit to everyone involved and it looks as though we will be seeing each other again next season, something to look forward to.
So to next Saturday, and a local derby to savour between two very competitive sides. The visitors Selby currently holding the advantage in the league and having won the previous encounter at Sandhill Lane. Its going to be one interesting afternoon with what should be a large crowd to watch the action. See you all there for a 3pm KO.
Conditions were good, with a dry pitch and the sun shining but with a gusting wind blowing diagonally across the pitch. West Leeds kicked-off with the wind in their favour. They certainly new how to use the advantage and within 2 minutes were on the scoreboard with an easy kick in front of the posts to go 3 nil in front. Goole restarted the game and for the first time got themselves into the home sides 22 courtesy of Jones, whose strong run through the centre of Leeds defence was rewarded with a penalty to Goole. Moore chose to kick for the corner, instead of the posts and was rewarded with a catch and drive from the lineout for Will Townend to dive over for Goole's opening try giving them a 3-5 lead after only 4 minutes.
The next 15 minutes was a toe-to-toe battle, Leeds in particular putting pressure on Goole’s defence courtesy of the high kick in the strong swirling wind. This tactic not only gaining them territory but at the same time testing Goole's back three who performed admirably securing ball and holding out until support arrived. West Leeds, however, were very much the top dog during this period and only desperate defence kept them out several times. As is Goole's want in recent weeks, they managed not only to hold on but bettered that with a copy book penalty kick to the right corner of West Leed's 22. A lineout move straight from the training pitch saw Jack Smith enter the lineout from the scrum half position into a space created by good movement in the line and dive over for a second Goole try, converted by Moore. The score now 3-12 in favour of the visitors after 20 minutes of the game.
During the opening period West Leeds had seemed to be talking back to the official who subsequently penalised them, obviously, an area of his game he was keen to control. Goole also getting punished on 24 minutes when Pprop Lamb was yellow carded for reacting verbally to the referee’s latest decision. He was sent from the field for a 10 minute cool down. West Leeds looked to take advantage of Goole's scrum being disrupted by opting for three consecutive scrums. Ultimately the pressure resulted in Leeds suddenly changing tactics at the latest scrum penalty for their scrum half to tap and go, resulting in a try by the posts to bring them within 2 points of Goole.
West Leeds were now in full control of both territory and possession and produced a full-on assault on Goole's line. Goole, as is the norm, weathered the storm well until a missed clearance kick was held up in the air by the strong wind allowing the home side to pick up the loose ball and walk in for their second try after 30 minutes. 17-12.
On the 35th minute came one of those game changing moments. Leeds moving the ball wide, to use their speed advantage out wide, easily outpacing Gooles back line to put their player clear and on a one to one with fullback Holt. To no-one’s surprise Holt did what he always does, standing firm and producing a copy book crunching tackle to stop the Leeds assault dead in its tracks, much to the dismay of the home crowd. The only other score of the half came on the 40th minute, with a West Leeds penalty to leave the score at the break 20-12 in favour of West Leeds.
The strong travelling band of Goole supporters watching took a breath and hoped that the windy conditions would now work in Goole's favour. Well, they were all struck dumb when straight from the re-start West Leeds regathered the ball and a rare defensive lapse saw the centre break clear and score under the posts to increase Leeds advantage to 27-12.
Goole regrouped and seven minutes later launched a strong passage of play involving several quick rucks and pick and goes resulting in Will Townend being driven over for an unconverted try. 27-17.
50 minutes on the clock, Goole again pushing forward in the pack, with the unlikely result in winger Malcolmson coming out of the ruck to dive in to score. The score now closing in with West Leeds holding onto a 27-22 lead. The next 10 minutes saw some disjointed play from Goole. In possession one minute, the next Leeds appearing with the ball as the game got a little loose. When Goole were penalised by the ref West Leeds opted to kick from 30 metres out and the scoreline opened up again to a 30-22 lead for the home team.
Goole, as we have come to expect, play to the last blast of the whistle and always seem to play with hope regardless of how the games going. So it was no surprise when another foray into the home side's half ended with Barrass going over in the corner, Moore again delivering from the most difficult of positions to bring Goole within one point of West Leeds on the 63 minutes. 30-29. Three minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Goole for further Leeds infringements, Moore obliging with a well struck penalty from 35 metres. These three points providing Goole with a slender lead. 30-32, with 14 minutes remaining.
The final period saw West Leeds throw everything they could at Goole as they had throughout the game, their sprightly back division got into overlap territory, providing some desperate moments for Goole. Best summed up by yet another try saving, game saving tackle from Danny Holt in a one on one position. Goole defended manfully as the home side slowly gained territory, their discipline was good as they held firm in goal kicking range without conceding a kickable penalty until a turnover allowed them to clear to deep into the hosts 22 where they saw out the game.
These were two equally matched sides who provided 80 minutes of entertainment for all watching. Credit to everyone involved and it looks as though we will be seeing each other again next season, something to look forward to.
So to next Saturday, and a local derby to savour between two very competitive sides. The visitors Selby currently holding the advantage in the league and having won the previous encounter at Sandhill Lane. Its going to be one interesting afternoon with what should be a large crowd to watch the action. See you all there for a 3pm KO.
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