Scarborough Do The Double

Goole entertained Scarborough at Westfield Banks on Saturday looking to gain revenge for an unexpected defeat earlier in the season when Goole put in a very lacklustre performance to allow Scarborough to record one of only 2 wins in the league before this return meeting.
Goole received the kick off in decent playing conditions and immediately pressured the visitors line and only desperate defence prevented a score in the first minute. The hosts maintained the pressure on the Scarborough line and several forward drives allowed Rhys Moore to dart over from close range for a 5 nil lead and it looked like it would be a regulation win for the 5th placed Goole side. Perhaps this feeling spread among the players as the next 10 minutes was an error strewn period with neither side able to gain any momentum or continuity before Scarborough converted a penalty to close to 5-3. Goole eventually put together a promising attack but again, good defence saw Scarborough clear to halfway. The visitors then produced their best passage of play and several drives saw them over for a try, unconverted for 5-8. Scarborough now managed a period of relative supremacy as Goole were making elementary errors preventing them making any headway and desperate home defence managed to keep their line intact. Late in the half and Scarborough turned their pressure into points when a poorly defended ruck saw the scrum half sprint over from 20 metres for a converted try and 5-15. Goole had time to go close themselves but another loose carry saw a turnover and the ball cleared to end the half.
The large crowd were hoping that the half time break would see an up turn in the Goole performance but a long range penalty attempt fell short before a much simpler penalty for a high tackle was declined for a kick to the corner but a poor lineout saw the visitors clear. More unforced errors from Goole and with the Scarborough defence warming to their task, solid tackling saw balls lost in contact or knocked on and with 25 minutes of the half elapsed a penetrating break following another Goole error allowed a long range attack, with basic skills well executed resulted in a try by the posts for the seasiders, converted for 5-22. A couple of long breaks in play for injuries to visiting players saw a stop start period of play before a yellow card for a deliberate knock on by the Scarborough centre allowed to Goole kick to the corner and a catch and drive saw Ashton Neil go over for an unconverted try for 22-10 with 5 minutes remaining. Goole were now having the lions share of territory and possession and a good passage of play saw Billy Walker just short but Jamie Lamb, on his first 1st team outing for a couple of seasons went over for a try converted by Moore for 22-17. Goole sensed they may be able to sneak the win in the final few minutes of injury time but more clunky play restricted their effectiveness and Scarborough held on for the win.
No denying the better team on the day won the game, but this was such a below par performance by the Goole side, partly prompted by the effective Scarborough defensive effort, and they still could have snatched an unlikely victory at the end.
A massive response is required for this Saturday with the short trip over to local rivals Selby, Goole needing a win to keep in touch with the top four