Firsts start campaign with bonus point away win

Old Otliensians RUFC 1st XV 20 -24 Goole RUFC 1st XV

Goole’s first match of the 2018/19 Yorkshire Division 2 League campaign saw them travel to Old Otliensians, last season’s winners of the RFU National Junior Vase, the trophy that Goole won the previous season! The opening exchanges were even as both sides were finding their feet after the summer break, but the deadlock was broken when midway through the half a good kick return by Sam Smith saw Goole in good field position and good work at the base of the scrum saw Connor walker over for an unconverted try. Otliensians responded almost immediately with a well converted penalty for 3-5. On 30 minutes Goole were reduced to 14 men with Tom Devenish sin binned for a high tackle and the hosts made the numerical advantage count scoring an unconverted try after taking a scrum against the head. On the stroke of halftime and back to full strength, a superb break by Jamie Shand saw him offload in contact to the supporting Danny Holt who scored the try, converted by Rhys Moore for a 12-8 halftime lead.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with no further scores for the first 20 minutes until Goole applied sustained pressure but an interception saw the home sides no.10 run fully 90 metres to score a converted try to take the lead 15-12. Soon afterwards Goole were unsuccessful with a long range penalty attempt before a strong run by Sam Smith saw him feed Danny Holt in close support, quickly recycled ball saw Rhys Moore dummy and straighten to go over under the posts, he added the conversion himself for Goole to lead again 19-15. From the re-start the hosts produced a superb passage of play and good handling and pace in the backline saw them over in the corner for an unconverted try to lead by a point 20-19. Goole dug deep and pushed hard again, regaining possession at the kick off and good forward interplay saw Will Townend stopped just short but the ball was moved quickly down the backs for Rich Binns to score, Moore’s conversion hitting the post. 24-20 Goole. Goole used the wind at their back to keep the hosts pinned in their own 22 for the remainder of the game and defended resolutely till the final whistle to secure a well deserved away win, the final try securing a 4 try bonus point.
The excellent effort and turnout at pre-season training allied to 3 tough pre-season games are already proving to be invaluable as Goole’s fitness and togetherness was there for all to see.
Next week sees the first home game of the season the firsts hosting Wath upon Dearne. Kick off is 3.00pm and all support is most welcome