Home Win for 1st XV v Wetherby

Goole strengthened their position at the top of the table with a seventh consecutive try bonus point league victory against a very determined Wetherby side on Saturday. Whilst they failed to maintain the high standard of recent performances, much to the disappointment of the large crowd that attended the Gold Boys pre-match lunch, they were still too good for Wetherby.

After taking an early lead with a converted Connor Walker try after five minutes, Goole conceded their only points in the match when Wetherby kicked a penalty shortly after, as the game slipped into a dull period littered with errors from both sides spilling the ball in contact. This prevented any real flow to the game and it needed an excellent kick return from Rhys Moore to get Goole in a position to score again as they pressed hard to cross the Wetherby try line. In the end it was Louis Sugden who crashed over for an unconverted try to make the half time score 12 – 3.

The Goole supporters were hoping for an improved second half performance but sadly in did not happen as the home side failed to take advantage of a number of half chances with a continuation of errors, a non-functioning lineout and at times, poor passing. They did however get on the scoreboard with a Moore drop goal to extent the lead to 15 – 3, but still some way from a try bonus point.

The one shining light for Goole was Man of the Match full back Danny Holt who is back to his best with excellent kick returns and tackling. From one run the ball got to centre Robert Shand who looked to be through only to be dragged back by a high tackle that brought a yellow card for the Wetherby defender. With a man down, Wetherby continued to defend well and it was a stolen ball by Chantry around half way that secured the game for Goole. He found space with a strong run to offload to a supporting Connor Walker who went under the posts for his second try. The conversion made the score 22 – 3 as Wetherby then put together a forceful passage of play to press the Goole line with a series of 5 metre scrums in a final effort to get back into the game with time running out. The Goole defence did its job and successfully repelled a number of drives for the line by the Wetherby forwards. Goole’s good run of late being built on this strong defence and they have now conceded just a single try in their last three games.

With time running out and in dark driving rain conditions, Goole finally managed to get the try bonus point score when an overlap was finally created and Shand ran in down the touchline to score in the corner for the unconverted try.

The game was certainly not a classic but to get a bonus point win when not playing at their best is not something to be disappointed about. Goole travel to third place Wath next week who will be seeking revenge for their narrow defeat at Goole early in the season. It will be tough, but that is when this team have been at their best. Whatever the outcome Goole will be top of the table going into the 2019 in what has been a great season to date.