It was Christmas come early as Goole uncharacteristically gifted West Leeds a sack full of points in a below par performance at West Leeds. If Goole started their previous game against Wensleydale like a train, this was the complete opposite as they looked somewhat tentative throughout the game conceded two tries and 12 points inside the first eight minutes. The first try coming from the home team centre partnership that sliced through the Goole defensive back line whilst the second try being scored whilst Goole’s pack was still in slumberland as they were pushed backwards in a 5m scrum under their own posts, 12-0. Thankfully Goole’s alarm clock finally went off as they came back to take the lead with two quick tries of their own. The first coming from a sharp interception from off half Rhys Moore and the second coming from a 5m line out catch and drive with Will Townend touching down, 12-14.
Disappointingly the lead didn’t last too long with a straightforward high tackle penalty for the hosts under the posts giving them the lead they were never to relinquish for the remainder of the game, 15-14. The home side extended their lead with a “Key Stone Cops” style try with a number of players in turn missing, fumbling or hacking at the ball as it neared the Goole try line. The outcome from a favourable bounce was another try for West Leeds to extend their lead to 22-14 midway through the half. To Goole’s credit they came back with another lineout close range try, this time from replacement prop, Adam Wileman, 22-19. Goole were now back in the game but conceded yet another try under the posts with a re-run of the opening try of the match as their three quarters ran back a Goole clearance kick to score, 29-19. In summary, this was a half that Goole would have been glad to put behind them with poor ball retention and generally poor kicking that gave clean unchallenged catches to the W Leeds backs to keep pressure on the creaking Goole defensive line.
Disappointingly Goole’s poor decision making continued as they retrieved a long West Leeds kick deep into their own 22. The opportunity to kick clear was not taken and the ball was stolen to give the hosts their fifth try of the game, 34-19. It would have been easy for the Goole team to get their heads down but to their credit they bounced back with Townend and Chantry at the forefront of carries into the West Leeds half. After a spell of possession and pressure in the home team 22, Goole were rewarded with their own bonus point try out wide when Billy Walker went over from close range, 34-24. It would have been great for this try to give Goole the boost they needed to go on a win this game but their brief optimism evaporated from the kick off with a dropped restart kick that resulted in the home side gaining possession to put the game out of Goole’s reach with another try, 41-24. Despite the setback Goole stuck it out till the end of the match with the final score of the match with Adam Wileman going over for his second try from close range. The final score of 41-29 and a solitary try bonus point for Goole in a game they had the capability to win if their generosity had been less abundant. Will Townend got the nod as Man of the Match just edging out James Chantry as they characteristically battled to the end. Unfortunately for many of the remaining squad members this was not there finest hour.
This was a strange game in that Goole scored five tries away from home against quality opposition with players, coaches and travelling supporters travelling home disappointed. For prolonged periods of the game Goole were uncharacteristically lax and whilst the effort, as always, was there to see, the organisation, coordination and decision making was disappointing by their own standards. Certainly, things to work on during the coming week before their National Cup game away at Southwell next Saturday.