Goole RUFC 1st XV 31-24 Spartans RFC 1st XV

A large and vocal travelling support witnessed Goole win a pulsating game on the hallowed turf at Twickenham, the lead changing hands 4 times before Goole emerged the victors in an entertaining game for the neutrals but a nerve racking game for anyone affiliated with either team.
The Spartans seemed to settle first and their impressive fullback Ashley Lewis ran a hard line to the posts from 15 metres out to break a tackle and score a try he converted himself to lead 7 nil after only five minutes. Goole were then under pressure and struggling to get a foothold on the game until a break by Tom Halliday gain some territory and apply some pressure of their own and when a hopeful cross kick by Spartans fell short of its intended target, Tom Halliday reacted quickest and gathered the bouncing ball at full pace to sprint clear from his own half to scorch in beside the posts. Rhys Moore slotted the simplest of conversions to level the scores after 15 minutes. This score seemed to settle the nerves and both sides were now giving as much as they got and when Spartans long range attack was thwarted by strong Goole defence, Rich Barrass scooped up the loose ball, chapped over the defence and showed great pace to win the race for the touchdown when at least 3rd favourite to be first to the ball to claim a superb individual score, again converted by Rhys Moore for a 14-7 lead. Both sides were now enjoying the magnificent surface and playing conditions and roared on by passionate support attacked each other from all areas of the pitch. With 10 minutes remaining in the half and Spartans deep in Goole's 22, a planned move from the base of the ruck saw the scary half blind inside pass find his winger Knight who went in untouched under the posts, converted to level at 14 a piece. 3 minutes later and the Spartans were ahead when scrum half Broady dummied to his winger and darted over in the corner, this time unconverted to lead 19-14, the score at the half time break.
A couple of changes at half time saw James Dougherty and Tom Barker introduced and Goole were quickest out of the blocks and when Rhys Moore's chip over the defence wasn't dealt with by the Spartans cover, front rower Kyle Hall dropped on the loose ball to score, converted by Moore for Goole to lead again 21-19. The Spartans looked like they were tiring and Goole sensed the opportunity and when the ball was moved to winger Tom Barker his superb footwork saw him beat 3 defenders to touchdown in the corner, this time the conversion fell short for Goole to lead 26-19. Goole were now in the ascendency and we're looking to put the game beyond the reach of their opponents and their defence was regularly stretched by Goole's direct running until on 65 minutes, Rhys Moore's shimmy and offload allowed Tom Halliday to straighten onto his short pass to score in the corner, unconverted for 31-19. Spartans rallied well and patient build up saw a spilled ball check the Goole cover defence enough for the full back to score his second of the game in the corner, the conversion hitting the post to close to 31-24 with 10 minutes remaining.
Goole continued their attacking intent and great continuity and offloading play made lots of ground, only 2 despairing tap tackles preventing clean breaks that would surely have resulted in a score and a run by Matty Taylor saw the referee adjudged he was held up, the big screen replay for the fans only showed he had got the ball down. Another such attack saw Tom Hallidays spectacular dive for the corner pulled back by the touch judge for his foot skimming the touch line. With Goole's pressure ticking down the clock, Spartans launched a last ditch attack and got into the Goole 22 but aggressive defence forced the error and Goole won the resulting scrum and kicked the ball into touch to the sound of the final whistle, signalling scenes of wild celebration from Goole's players, support staff and supporters alike. Spartans players were gracious in defeat and were applauded by the Goole players as they collected their runners up medals, before the Spartand returned the compliment as Goole picked up their winners medals and the National Junior Vase. The players and supporters then enjoyed the hospitality of the RFU at the post match function before descending on several of Twickenhams pubs to celebrate long into the night.
The players would like me to put on record their heartfelt thanks for the support they have had throughout the season, but especially this unforgettable weekend, the noise emanating from the west stand sounded like 10s of thousands rather than hundreds, and to see so many long time supporters reduced to tears of joy made them even more proud and privelidged to represent Goole at the home of rugby.