Goole entertained Harrogate Pythons at Westfield on Saturday, both teams mid table with similar playing records, so a close game was expected and the hope that home advantage would give Goole the edge.
The recent dry spell had also much improved conditions underfoot.
Opening exchanges were pretty even, most of the game being played between the 22s, until on 15 minutes, Rhys Moore broke the defensive line to go over by the posts from 20 metres, he converted his own try. 7-0
He then added a penalty on 28 minutes as Goole started to get the upper hand and 5 minutes later James Chantry went over to consolidate this period of good Goole pressure. Moore converted for 17-0. As the half drew to a close Pythons got on the scoreboard with a converted try of their own and at the end of a long period of stoppage time at the end of the first half, added a second , unconverted try for 17-12 at the break.
The set back before the interval could have upset Goole’s momentum but 10 minutes after the re-start Goole added their 3rd try, Ray Coates forced his way over for the five pointer, converted by Moore. Goole were now in control and added further tries through James Walton and Ollie Raynor, both converted by Moore for 38-12 with 10 minutes remaining. Goole then took their foot off the gas and Harrogate got their second wind and added a converted try and penalty try to secure a 4 try bonus point and give the scoreline a little more respectability.
Saturday sees a re-arranged game at Westfield, with West Leeds the visitors as Goole look to avenge a high scoring defeat in Leeds early in the season. 3.00pm kick off.