Yet another disappointing result, in another game Goole could and should have won. This great game that we all love, has always been defined as “Forwards win games, and backs decide by how many”. How true today, summed up in that Pontefract’s scrum dominated the game. Goole assisting with the only reasons scrums take place, knocks on and forward passes. These were handed out throughout the game, as the visitors tries as hard as possible to open the home side up, which they did on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, each time, twice at least with an open goal, they dropped the ball when it looked easier to score.
As early as the 5th minute Pontefract won their first scrum which started a pattern of play which won them the game. Their first score came on 15 minutes when they opted for a scrum in Goole’s 22, then pushed themselves over to take a 5-nil lead. Goole then began to find their rhythm, dominating both territory and possession but were also reduced to 14 with prop Taylor being penalised at an early scrum. During his 10 minute absence Goole pushed Ponte back with a number of attacks. Two such sorties providing Goole with good opportunities to get points on the board from penalty kicks but opted to run the ball, ending with no points on the board and the game coming to a half time close with the score remaining 5-0 in favour of the home side.
Whatever was said at half time had an immediate effect and resulted in a touch down for fullback Holt with only 1 minute on the clock. A clear score for all to see, other than the official who declared it held up and gave Ponte the chance to quell the attack and relieve the pressure. It was all Goole now and it only seemed a matter of time before they scored. On 50 minutes Goole brought on Jamie Lamb, making his return from a lengthy injury and immediately in the thick of things at a line out on the right. The move involved several phases of play and ended with Luke Beecher diving in at the corner after 52 mins for Goole’s opening score, which was complimented with an excellent touch line conversion from Moore, for Goole to take the lead 5-7. All was looking good for Goole until they conceded a penalty in front of their posts to let the home side back in front 8-7.
Goole forced their way into the home half again and constantly hammered away at their defence but to no avail. Then, on 64 minutes Beecher was yellow carded for a high tackle and Ponte again opted for a scrum. More misfortune came Goole’s way when Capt Corry was also yellow carded, leaving Goole with 13 men on the field and another scrum session awaiting. The result being a penalty try to Pontefract to increase their lead to 15-7. Now the game was wide open with end to end skirmishes, Goole losing that battle, despite having had the line at their mercy the home side escaped and ended up, yet again with a scrum in Goole’s try area, and predictably another score. This increasing their lead to 22-7 and all looking lost for Goole.
Even at this late stage, and having watched Goole all season, you knew they wouldn’t give up the cause, which they certainly didn’t scoring again after 77 minutes courtesy of Barrass and a conversion courtesy of Moore to close to 22-14. A frantic last few minutes for them to try to close the gap and get withing bonus point range of their opponents, who were desperate for points in their attempt to climb the table. Unfortunately for Goole it wasn’t to be on a day where other results were to close the gap in the bottom half of the league, but still leaving 6 other teams below them to worry about what the season end will bring.
In trying to sum the game up, the first consideration is would the 2 penalty opportunities have made a difference? Well the answer now, with the benefit of hindsight, is yes as it would have provided a bonus point, which is always worth having. Of course, it could have changed the course of the game as well??
What really was disappointing were the number of clear chances which didn’t get converted into points. They would, without doubt have won Goole the game and their final league position will come down to getting results from the closing games, whilst not being mathematically safe from relegation, a couple more wins would see them secure a top half finish.
Lets hope they can be rallied, understand where they could have been more pragmatic and make a better fist of looking after the ball, next week, in yet another interesting game against yet another side currently below them in the table.
Fingers well and truly crossed.