1st XV Win With Dazzling Display at Wetherby

As the season comes to an end and promotion guaranteed, Goole needed to continue their winning ways to secure the Yorkshire 2 title but this was always going to be tough against mid-table Wetherby who had knocked them out of a Yorkshire cup competition back in October.

As it turned out, the first half proved what a tough challenge Goole had as they trailed Wetherby by three tries to two after starting the game with a great deal of confidence. With possession from the start Goole pressed but were rocked back when the home team took the lead in the 3rd minute with a straight forward overlap for the winger to score a converted try. Undeterred Goole went straight back on to the attack and levelled the score following good work by the backs as Beecher gave a sharp inside pass to Danny Holt to run round under the posts. 7- 7 after 19 mins.

Goole then took the lead following a pick up at the base of the scrum by Harman who was tackled just short of the line. The recycled ball found its way to Rhys Moore who danced through a gap to score and give Goole the lead 7 -14. At this stage of the game Goole had the upper hand and whilst they looked dangerous every time they had possession, they looked vulnerable when the home team had the ball, so it was no surprise when Wetherby scored a second try. The conversion was missed and Wetherby now had the upper hand but it still looked as though Goole would hold the lead as the half ended. However this was not the case, as Wetherby scored their third try with the last play of the half. A simple chip over the Goole defence was gathered and a quick offload to the supporting fullback gave Wetherby the half time lead.

Half Time WETHERBY 19 – 14 GOOLE

If Goole did not look like title contenders in the first half, that certainly changed in the second half after a long half time break whilst Goole’s Jamie Lamb had extensive treatment for an arm injury on the field. Goole received the ball three times from kick offs in the opening eight minutes and scored each time. They were unstoppable, and Wetherby didn’t know what hit them. Holt got his second after receiving another pass from Beecher after he caught a lofted kick to the corner by Moore. Sam Smith was next to make the break and Barrass took it on and passed to Holt to complete his hat trick of tries, and for Goole to regain the lead 19 – 26. Lill then linked with Connor Walker who charged towards the try line only to be brought down just short, the recycled ball was gathered by scrum half Will Devenish to score from close range, 19 – 31. Goole were now in total control as Wetherby tried in vane to stem the tide and they failed to threaten the Goole line at any time in the second half. Devenish went over for his second try but the biggest cheer was for Louis Sugden who also powered over for a rare try.

Moore kicked a penalty in front of the posts to wind down the clock but there was still time for Beecher to find a gap out wide and beat the fullback to score in the corner. Goole scoring six tries and 37 unanswered points in the second half. Man-of-the-match contenders for the second half were numerous with the whole back-row once again playing at such a high standard. In the backs, both centres are improving with every game but fullback Danny Holt gets the nod for his hat trick of tries, appearing as he does out of nowhere to score.

The quality of the play in the 2nd half was dazzling with forwards and backs alike creating gaps and passing to support runners coming through at pace. The centre partnership is looking sharp, the wingers elusive and the half back combination threatening. Link that with the contribution of the willing Goole forward ball carriers and you have the best team in the league this season. With the last league game at home next week against already relegated Otliensians and just a win needed, there may be some that may say that it is a forgone conclusion, but not in this league. Goole still need to be at the top of their game to end the season on a high and look forward to Yorkshire One next season as Champions.