Ossett 19 23 Hemsworth

Ossett 19 23 Hemsworth
Tries: Tebb & Heywood
Pens: Drury (2)
Drop goal: Drury

Player of year points (picked by Dyksey):
5 = Dent
4 = Whitehead
3 = Heywood
2 = Sam Drury
1 = Osbourne

There is never much love lost between Hemsworth and Ossett who have enjoyed some scraps (literally) over the years. This contest was as fierce as ever although both sides demonstrated much improved discipline than in previous encounters leading to an extremely tough match but a clean one.

Hemsworth started the brighter and looked to run Ossett around with their impressive 10 playing an expansive game. The Ossett defence was up to the task and Hemsworth had to settle for a penalty to make it 3-0. A superb cover tackle in the corner by Osbourne provided temporary respite but Hemsworth soon crossed the try line with a well worked move and finish in the corner to make it 8-0.

Ossett responded immediately with a penalty of their own after two previous misses from Jack Drury. A superb run and chip through from Webster gave Hemsworth a lineout on their own 5 metre line. The hooker missed his jumper and Sprott picked up the loose ball and drove for the line but was held up just short. The ball was recycled and Gary Heywood picked from the base of the ruck and dived over to make it 8-8.

Into the 2nd half and the first advantage came Hemsworth’s way with the sin binning of 2nd row Graham Dent who should feel very aggrieved with the decision. He looked to have turned over the Hemsworth runner in the tackle and held him up off the floor. The Hemsworth player eventually got to the deck but the ball was firmly in Dent’s grip. When the whistle went Ossett responded feeling they had a penalty for holding on but the referee reached for his pocket to yellow card Dent for hands in a ruck???? Even if it had have been handling in a ruck the penalty was on half way with no obvious threat and no previous warnings to Ossett about excessive infringements. The referee was pretty good throughout but this decision defied any logic.

Hemsworth took full advantage and scored a 2nd try and a penalty to make it 16-8. A further Hemsworth try looked inevitable but the Hemsworth winger dropped the ball over the line when the score looked certain.

Credit to Ossett who responded immediately with another penalty. Ossett’s lineout was superb – winning at least 80-90% of their own ball. The scrum was also dominant and with this first phase platform Ossett began to gain the upper hand. Tebb came on for the final 15 mins at scrum half and with his first touch he picked up off the back of the scrum and scored in the corner to make it 16 - 16.

With only 5 mins remaining Ossett ploughed forward in an attempt to set up a drop goal chance. Several great charges from Dent and Gothard put Drury in range who struck the ball sweetly through the posts to make it 19-16.

Ossett held on until the final play. A knock on in our own 22 gave Hemsworth a scrum and the ball was spun wide to the centre who cut back to drive over the line. He was held up but managed to slip the ball to a team mate to drop over the line in the final second of the game.

A cruel ending that left Ossett absolutely shattered. The match was an even contest and no side deserved to lose – especially like that but credit to Hemsworth they executed when the pressure was on and that is what you have to do to win a league.

Much to be positive about though. You certainly couldn’t fault the effort from all 20players. Aron was shipped off to hospital and adds himself to the injured list – we hope he is back soon.

The contact area was much improved with good quick ball being created at times although we go wide too quickly and need to work off a forward platform. Set piece was superb despite the loss of Peat and Young. Dent and Lister combined effectivley in the lineout and the pack fronted up in the scrum.

We need to continue to work on decision making – deciding when it’s on and when to play tight. All our best play came from tight play that created space out wide.

The results from week 3 suggest it will be a tight league. Hems and Hgte are unbeaten and play each other next week. Realistically we need to bounce back immeditaley. Three wins vs Rods, Wetherby and Knaresborough will put us back in the mix – it starts next sat vs Rods.