1st XV Beat Ripon 14-41

Unavailability, injury and the need for a shake up following last weeks poor performance, saw Greg Bone make several changes to the squad this week, as they travelled to Ripon looking for a reaction to only their 2nd defeat of the season. The pack saw Chantry back at flanker, Morris in the 2nd row and Wood at hooker. All making excellent contributions to a charged-up forward pack.
The start of the game saw Ripon's kick off not going 10mtrs, providing Goole with a scrum on half way and possession. From the set piece Goole forced themselves deep into enemy territory, looking as though an early score was about to go their way. Unfortunately loose ball was turned over and within 5mins Ripon had forged up field to score and convert, giving them a 7-nil lead. The travelling support wondered if last weeks display was going to repeat itself.
From the re-start Chantry retrieved the Goole kick off with a startling leap to give them possession and although the ball was eventually turned over, it looked as though it had given Goole the impetus. They began to control play, open the game up and show their all round game. The ball being driven forward in the forwards and moved quickly in the backs. Patience and hard work were to provide Goole with their first score after 19mins when Holt finished off Goole’s best passage of play involving both backs and forwards. Ryan Lamb in particular, always ready to gain meterage for them allowing the backs to get the ball moving along the line. Captain Moore provided the conversion from wide out and Goole drew level with the home side.
Now controlling most of the possession and position Goole began to force Ripon back into their own ‘22’. However, Goole knocked on to the relief of Ripon who set themselves for a scrum, where they looked their strongest. Quick ball was picked out by the big No 8, but as he broke centre Rob Shand met him heads on, ripped the ball from his grasp and galloped in for the visitors 2nd try out wide. Goole now leading for the first time on 29 mins. Although Moore had missed the difficult conversion, he was on hand on the 33rd min to convert a decent drop goal from 30 meters out, to increase the score to 7-15 in Goole’s favour.
The last min of the first half brought the best out of the Goole side, when from a scrum in the Ripon half they executed a planned move straight from the training ground for full back Holt to go in for his 2nd try of the half. Moore again obliging with the kick, for Goole to go into half time 7-22 in front.

Whatever was said during the break proved positive early on. Goole were awarded a penalty, Moore opted to kick for the corner getting them within 10 meters of Ripons line. A well called throw to the front saw a gap in the line and prop Corry cantered in unopposed to further increase his sides half time lead to 20 points.
What followed was some patchy play from Goole and some weird decision making by the official, all of which provided Ripon with the chance to put pressure on Goole. This ultimately proved costly for the visitors, when on the 51st min Ripon forced their way over the Goole line for a converted try. Reducing the deficit to 13 points, with a 14-27 score in favour of Goole. A difference close enough to make for an interesting last quarter. As it turned out Goole scored 2 more tries, both converted by Moore to take his tally to 11 points. The first of the tries being scored by Chantry after 63 mins from a catch and drive at the line out. The last score of the game coming on the 75th min when Will Devenish forced his way over close to the posts.
Overall Goole looked much more at ease this week with all involved making contributions. Elliot Harman coming in at No 9 kept things moving. Hooker Chris Wood went forward at every opportunity as well as carrying out his duties in the set piece. Chantry was Chantry, a constant thorn in Ripon's side, and always an influence going forward. Morris in the 2nd row provided all expected of him giving the side better balance and experience at the line out and breakdown. The backs in general showed the pace and skill they all share. Full back Holt in particular unlucky not to get a hat trick in a busy performance from the back. The pick of the squad was prop Ryan Lamb, who did his job well at scrum time and was always looking for work in the loose. His many carries always gained ground and kept possession. His display earning him the coaches vote of Man of the Match.
The final score of 14-41 was also Goole clubs best ever return in a fixture at the Ripon ground as far as anyone could remember.
Now to next week and the hard decisions to be made at selection, as Goole attempt to reverse the result from their visit to Ribblesdale, where they suffered their first defeat of the season. North Ribblesdale play a very similar game to Goole. Goole had two guilt edged chances to score in the away fixture, both being butchered with the try line beckoning. So all looks set for yet another interesting contest in this exciting and entertaining season at Westfield Banks. Fingers crossed.