If anyone thought this would be a routine end-of-season run-out, they were very much mistaken as both sides produced a full-blooded contest in pursuit of third place in the league standings.
The opening three minutes set the tone for an extraordinary afternoon, with both teams crossing the whitewash after regaining possession from kick-offs. Yarnbury struck first in explosive fashion before Goole responded immediately, Eddie Newsum leading the charge with a high-speed burst that was finished off by Will Townend to level matters at 5-5.
After the frenetic opening, the game settled into a fiercely competitive battle with both defences standing firm despite periods of attacking pressure. Goole edged ahead through a Rhys Moore penalty before the fly-half produced one of the moments of the match, intercepting a long midfield pass just outside his own 22 and sprinting the length of the field to score and extend the lead to 5-13 after 25 minutes.
Goole finished the first half strongly and took control with two further tries. Dec Cook capitalised on a break from halfway before finishing from a breakdown close to the line, while the fourth and bonus-point score came courtesy of a clever dummy and superb final pass from man-of-the-match Eddie Newsum, allowing Luke Cooper to dive over in the corner. The visitors headed into the break with a deserved 5-25 advantage.
The second half began perfectly for Goole as veteran Chris Wood powered over from a five-metre lineout move, with Moore adding the conversion to stretch the lead to 5-32 and seemingly put the visitors firmly in command.
However, Yarnbury had other ideas.
As Goole’s direct approach began to falter and possession was lost at crucial breakdowns, the home side’s mobile and inventive backs came alive. Exploiting quick ball, sharp handling and relentless support play, Yarnbury scored a superb try from deep inside their own half before launching an astonishing comeback. Four tries in twenty minutes transformed the contest and reduced the deficit to a single point at 31-32, evoking painful memories of the reverse fixture in which Goole surrendered a commanding lead to lose by a point.
Goole had opportunities to ease the pressure with two kickable penalties but elected to chase tries instead, much to the frustration of the travelling support as Yarnbury’s momentum continued to build.
To their immense credit, Goole dug deep when it mattered most. A determined defensive effort and sustained pressure in the Yarnbury 22 helped halt the home side’s charge, and despite some frustration at scrum decisions late on, the visitors held firm until the final whistle to secure a dramatic and hard-earned victory.
The result capped an excellent campaign for Goole, whose impressive eight-match winning streak secured a third-place finish in the league.
The evening’s Player Presentation Awards provided further recognition for an outstanding season. Eddie Newsum collected the Player of the Year award following another influential display, while James Chantry was named Players’ Player of the Year. Louis Greaves received the Supporters’ Player of the Year honour, Craig Hutton was recognised as Most Improved Player, Ollie Pearson earned Young Player of the Year, and Will Townend finished as the club’s Top Try Scorer.
All in all, it was a fitting end to a highly successful season for the club.