Narrow Win at Home

A dramatic finish to an action filled game, saw Goole’s 2022 record continue. This time it was thanks to an excellent decision to go for goal and an excellent kick, both from captain Rhys Moore. The result was a Goole win in a close contest by the narrowest of margins.

It goes to prove that points on the board can win you games. It was in fact a difficult kick from wide out on the right, easier not to take the option, but as it turned out it was the difference between the teams in what was a non-stop end to end battle. Hegians leaving the pitch dejected having more than matched throughout, but its sport and someone had to lose.
Goole started the game well and were on the board within 9 minutes when Moore converted a penalty awarded for the visitors being offside. The re-start provided the visitors with both territory and ball, resulting in Goole defending desperately against strong play by the away side. Having weathered the storm Goole broke out of their 22 on 14 minutes with another bullocking run from Jack Smith, charging strongly into the visitors half before releasing brother Sam to run in for Goole’s 1st try, to take an 8-point lead.
The re-start this time launched Hegians attack deep into the home sides defence, producing more aggressive team play by them, once again repelled until the 24th minute when the official awarded the away side with a straightforward penalty. This was despatched easily by their No 10, to get them on the score board and reduce the home sides lead to 5 points. However, as is Goole’s resolve this year their response, within a minute was to use a penalty awarded to kick to the left corner. From the line out yet another assault on the enemy lines took place. The result of this was to be yet another bulldozing run through the away defence by Jack Smith, this time ending with Betteridge going in for Goole’s 2nd try on 25minutes. Moore converted to extend the lead to 12 points, the score now 15-3 in the home sides favour.
As mentioned earlier, this was a non-stop game with Hegians yet again bombarding Goole from every angle. Again, Goole matching their efforts with some heroic tackling, as the away side tried and tried to snatch back a score. The punch for punch contest went on until the deadlock was broken by the visitors after 33 minutes. This time the result of one of a number of poor clearance kicks by Goole, which was eagerly gathered by the visitors who finally touched down in the right-hand corner. Score now 15-8.
Time for Goole to get back down to the away team’s end. Which they did on 38 minutes. Their sterling efforts being rewarded with another try for Sam Smith in the right corner following a well won Goole scrum. The try moving Goole on into a 20-8 lead. Again, still enough time for something to happen, which it did. At a ruck Goole’s Townend and an Hegians player got into a tussle, which soon became a cuddle for a number of the forwards. After the handbags had been put back down Townend and his opponent were given 10 minutes rest on the touchline. The time added on for this fracas benefitted the visitors when, on the 42 minutes, they touched down and converted for the half to end with Goole ahead with a narrow 5-point lead.

HALF TIME GOOLE 20 ROUNDHEGIANS 15

Goole started the half with an adjusted starting line up with Townend playing in the front row. Although Townend had performed exceptionally well in the scrum throughout the first stanza, the alteration to the pack didn’t seem to affect them. They started strongly with their next try coming within 6 minutes of the re-start. Finished by Betteridge but started by a fantastic lineout and subsequent driving maul by the Goole eight who must have advanced at least 20 mtrs, before releasing for Betteridge to finish. Moore’s conversion pushing Goole on with a 27-15 scoreline. However, from this point Hegians started to take full control of the game. Possession and territory were in their favour resulting in them scoring on the 51st minute with a try and conversion to reduce the deficit to 5 points. From the Goole re-start they immediately took control of affairs and were rewarded after 72 minutes, with a further try to bring them level at 27-27.
During that tough period Goole’s touchline team had experimented with the team in an attempt to give the replacements a run and freshen up the team mix, but for the final period they brought back on rested players and started to go forward. All concerned putting every last ounce of energy in their attempt to get back in front. Now in control of the ball and possession, their presence was felt in some thunderous and aggressive efforts within the away sides 22 and on 76minutes a penalty was awarded. Rhys Moore calmly converted a pressure kick from 30 mtrs out. Goole 30-27 in the lead with 4 minutes of play left. Goole seeing things out by ensuring the visitors couldn’t get out of their half.
Two evenly balanced sides both thinking they deserved to win. In the end it was Goole who came out on top courtesy of a lot of very hard work and endeavour. A scrum that got better as the game went on, a line out functioning well and a three-quarter line competent in both defence and attack. Fullback Holt showed why he’s been missed during his injury lay off with at least three try saving tackles. The backs in general looking more balanced. There is still room for improvements in some facets of play, but who is complaining when they won again.
So to next week and appears a tricky away game at Rishworthians. With the side playing as they did today they should be more than optimistic.
Goole look more balanced and assertive and definitely up for it, so for me another Saturday afternoon to look forward to for all of Goole’s supporters.
By the way a big thanks to Will Townend, again showing his full commitment by taking on the task of prop at the last minute, and certainly not looking out of place, before then moving to second row, after Newsum left the field. A true Team player.