Goole Complete Double Over Dronfield

Goole entertained first time visitors to Westfield Banks, Dronfield, the clubs never having played each other before this season, Goole securing 24 – 3 win in the away meeting in November.
A large crowd was in attendance as Goole had several sponsors attending the game whose financial and well as vocal support is always gratefully received. The first 15 or so minutes saw both teams feeling each other out, Goole gradually establishing the upper hand and this pressure resulted in the first score on 17 minutes, Billy Walker returning a clearance kick to link with Jack Smith whose break was inevitably supported by brother Sam Smith who powered over for the try, converted by Tom Holt for 7-0. Goole were now off and running a purple patch saw 2 more tries in quick succession, on 22 minutes a break by the excellent Tom Holt saw him release centre turned winger Matty Lill who produced an outrageous sidestep to beat his opposite number and outpace the cover to score an unconverted try. Five minutes later, after being denied moments earlier in the far corner, Billy Walker got on the end of a flowing involving several offloads in contact, taking the scoring pass from Sam Smith to score, his try converted by Tom Holt.
Dronfield could have wilted in the face of this onslaught but to their credit rallied and were soon on the scoreboard with an unconverted try following a good passage of play by their forward pack. As the half drew to a close another pacy attack and sharp handling by Goole’s backline saw Danny Holt into the line at speed and release Matty Lill for his second and Goole’s 4th and bonus point try, converted by Tom Holt for 26-5 at the interval.
The second half started in similar vein the first with little to worry the scorers for the first 15 minutes, but it was Dronfield who looked the most likely, taking advantage of disruption in the Goole ranks following injuries to Goole’s Jack and Sam Smith, to score 2 converted tries to trail by only one score at 26-19. It was Goole’s turn to rally and with 10 minutes remaining found their way over the line through replacement prop, Adam Wileman. This score was unconverted and Goole led 31-19, restoring their two score cushion. Both sides had good chances to improve on their score as the game petered out but both defences held firm, Goole coping with the late sin binning of Sean Roberts for the final five minutes and there were no further points for either side as Goole claimed the win which saw them up to 3rd in the league with 2 games remaining in the campaign.
Tom Holt was awarded the back of the match marshalling the Goole backline very well and Ashton Neil the forward of the match, showing up very strongly in both attack and defence.
Saturday sees the firsts travel to Malton & Norton who fell to a surprise away defeat at the weekend, another close game likely as Goole hope to repeat their narrow 36-33 win at home in the much postponed fixture in February.