Goole consolidated their position as league leaders with a comprehensive 36 – 0 win against 3rd place Hullensians at a packed Westfield Banks on Saturday. Scoring six tries and earning their seventh consecutive try bonus point, this was indeed a five-star performance against a very good Hullensians side.

In somewhat gloomy conditions the game kicked off at a frantic pace with the two evenly matched team going toe to toe from the very onset. A long-range penalty attempt by Goole fell short and the home side were a little hit and miss with their early lineouts so were unable to put any real prolonged pressure on the Hullensian's defence. However, it was from a lost line out that Goole got the first score on the board after eleven minutes, when a Hullensians clearance kick was charged down and the ever-alert Jack Smith pounced to kick through and touch down for an unconverted try. 5 – 0.

Hullensians immediately bounced back and wasted a golden opportunity to score after a superb midfield break but the final pass was knocked-on with the Goole try line beckoning. If the home side needed a reminder, this was it, with the well organised Hullensians team matching Goole in all aspects of the game as the first half progressed. The Hullensian's centre was harshly sin-binned after 25 minutes and Goole took advantage from the first quality possession from their own line out near the Hullensians try line. Matt Taylor going over after more hard work by the Goole pack. The successful conversion by Rhys Moore from out wide giving Goole a 12 – 0 half time lead.

Despite the score, this was still a very tight evenly matched game with Hullensians making changes due to injuries sustained in this very physical encounter. The next score was important, and it should have gone to Hullensians as they once again failed to score in the left corner with another knock on close to the Goole line.

As the game progressed, this was the last real try scoring chance that Hullensians had as Goole took control of the match with Rhys Moore scoring their third try after 15 minutes to stretch the lead to 17 – 0 after a superb kick by fullback Robson Jones forced a drop out by the under pressure Hullensian's defence. Further incursions into the Goole half by Hullensians were effectively dealt with by the home team defence with the game now swinging in Goole’s favour.

Goole’s fourth, and bonus point try, came after 25minutes when Will Townend stepped back inside the covering defence as Goole looked threatening whenever they had possession. 22 – 0. The introduction off the bench of James Chantry, Louis Sugden and Patrick Graf Grote ensured that Goole did not lose any momentum as they looked to close out the game. The scrums were now uncontested as Hullensians lost further players and it was no surprise when Goole scored again, this time by the impressive fullback Robson Jones who joined the three-quarter line to throw a (Bill Wilcox style) dummy and step inside the covering defenders to score by the posts with Moore converting. 29 – 0.

If that try looked good, you should have seen the final try that came after Chantry stole the Hullensians lineout on the right flank and made good ground. The recycled ball then being passed along the entire back line at pace for Billy Walker to score in the left corner. Without doubt one of the best tries to have been seen at Westfield Banks for some time. With Moore kicking a superb conversion and the final score of 36 – 0 both teams were rewarded with a tremendous round of applause by the crowd for the wonderful entertainment they provided.

Hullensians, will certainly be disappointed that they failed to score but once again it was the outstanding Goole defence and quality tackling that they found difficult to breach. On the two occasions that they did, they unfortunately failed to capitalise on the opportunities whereas Goole took theirs comfortably.

Whilst the first half was a little frustrating with the line out not functioning too well, the second half was without doubt the best performance we have seen from this talented group of players. Next week however will be the toughest challenge so far this season with an away game at second placed Keighley on their artificial pitch. The teams are evenly matched on paper, with Goole scoring more but Keighley conceding fewer points. It has all of the makings of a great contest as we try to take away Keighley’s unbeaten home record.