Goole’s festive day got off to a cracking start with a pre-match sold out Gold Boys lunch that was followed by a six try win over a competitive Leos side that belittled their bottom of the table position. With unlikely try scorers in Adam Wileman and Craig Hutton, and a debut try from newcomer Dec Cook this was a solid all-round display without Goole ever getting into top gear. Milward and Morris once again provided the 2nd row cover with a Man-of-the-Match performance from the lively Oli Pearson starting at scrum half.
Goole started in a frenzy but with little composure as they failed to take advantage of the early pressure with Leos taking 0-3 lead with a penalty from their first visit into the Goole 22. Back came Goole to once again spend some time pressing the Leos try line and following a powerful drive from the returning James Walton, Adam Wileman, supporting, went over for the opening Goole try, 5-3. Leos were now finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half and the match was essentially sealed with two Goole tries in quick succession. The first was another close range try this time from Will Devenish followed by the best try of the match following a typical under-pressure catch by Chantry from the Leos kick off, charging deep into the Leos half before offloading to support. Fast hands along the backline resulted in Will Townend supplying the try scoring pass to Matty Backhouse to go over in the opposite corner of the pitch for an unconverted try. The second half finishing with an unsuccessful party piece attempted halfway line drop goal from Sam Smith. HT 17-3. Whilst the half time score may have been acceptable to some, in reality Goole should have had many more points on the board but failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities when a score looked inevitable.
As the second half started, it was Leos that had their tails up taking the game to Goole and threatening to score but were thwarted thanks to the tenacious Goole defence that forced turn-over ball or errors from the Leo’s attackers. As a result, Goole worked their way downfield and came away with a 4th try from Hutton following a 5m catch and drive with Barrass adding the extras with an excellent conversion from out wide, 24-3. With Goole’s defence showing no weakness, another turn-over in mid-field gave Sam Smith some daylight before passing to Matty Backhouse to run in under the post for a converted try, 31-3. With the clock running down, Goole snapped up a loose ball in the Leo’s half for Pearson to defy all efforts by his would-be tackler to put him into touch and pop the ball inside for a debut try from newcomer Dec Cook to bring the final score to 36-3.
Whilst one cannot be too disappointed by the points scored, Goole certainly left many more out there as they huffed and puffed their way to this excellent win without being anywhere near their best. Congratulations all round to young Oli Pearson who was the stand-out livewire all over the pitch today with ball in hand and also the consistent quality contributions from backrowers Townend, Chantry and Neal who was also a constant thorn in the side at Leos lineouts. With a break now until the New year, it is hoped that a nasty looking wrist injury for Adam Wileman is not as bad as it looked and that Charlie Walton and Eddie Newsum will be back on the scene and give the ageing Steve Morris a well-earned rest. The players Christmas party followed bringing a satisfactory end to the 2025 playing year and with a great deal of optimism for 2026.