Entertaining Encounter With Cleckheaton

With the postponement of the 1st team Yorkshire Cup Semi-Final against Cleckheaton it was left to a combined Goole 2nd / 3rd team to provide the entertainment at Westfield Banks against a feisty Cleckheaton 3rd / 2nd team. The home team turning out 34 – 10 winners in a thoroughly entertaining game enjoyed by a large crowd attending the organised Players’ Sponsors Day.
From the kick off it soon became evident that the Goole team members with first team experience would be major assets against opposition that was an interesting mix of young and more senior players a pound or two heavier than their younger playing days. The early exchanges were even but it was Goole that got the scoreboard first after 15 mins, with Will Townend going over for an unconverted try in his second appearance this season after sustaining a severe ankle injury in pre-season training. As the game progressed, Goole looked the better side with good handling from forwards and backs alike, coupled with aggressive carries from Thurlow, Lamb and Taylor. Hooker Chris Wood was also prominent displaying his handling skills in an effort to get picked in the backs to protect his good looks.
It was however, not all one way as Cleckheaton also threatened the Goole line with strong runs from their powerful forwards. Robust tackling and a sound defence prevented them getting the score they strived for, as Goole’s backs moved the ball swiftly in mid field to score the best try of the game. Matty Backhouse getting possession just in play near the halfway line to evade four would-be tacklers and run through to score Goole’s second unconverted try. 10 – 0. A third try followed again due to good handling from forwards and backs, this time it was off-half Oscar Sugden that jinked past stationary defenders near the Cleckheaton line to go over for a try that he converted himself. 17 – 0 with time left for Cleckheaton to get on the scoreboard with a close range try to bring the half time score to 17 – 5.
Numerous changes for Goole for the second half, as Cleckheaton carried on from their strong finish to the first half to put Goole under some early pressure from numerous phases of play deep into the home team 22. The organised defence resulted in Goole being awarded a penalty that allowed them to clear. With play now in mid field it was the alert Craig Hutton that claimed a loose ball to pass to winger Tom Franks who sprinted clear to score another unconverted try to stretch Goole’s lead to 22 – 5. Whilst Cleckheaton remained competitive in all areas, it was the home side that looked the most likely to get the next score and that’s what happened with Ethan Grimbleby making a long robust charge into the Cleck 22 before offloading to the supporting Oscar Sugden to go over for his second try that he converted himself. 29 – 5. Goole’s sixth and final try came from Hutton after Louis Sugden gathered a pass at ankle height to give the try scoring pass. 34 – 5. It was however Cleckheaton that had the final say in the match as they battled to the end scoring a well deserved unconverted try after numerous charges for the line from the heavyweight forwards finally paid off. Final score 34 – 10.
At the final whistle both teams were applauded from the field by the crowd in appreciation for the on-field entertainment with both sides giving their all. Man-of-the-Match was Turkish Dave Theakstone who, despite his advancing years, had played the previous night for the Veteran Team that went down at Doncaster Phoenix in another competitive fixture.