Tables are turned

Published on 10th April 2008 in Sport

Goole RUFC U15s 39

Driffield U15s 15

Goole suffered a heavy defeat when they travelled to Driffield early in the season and it is measure of how they have progressed that they were able to turn the tables last Sunday week.

Goole kicked off with a strong wind in their faces and knew it would require a strong defensive effort to keep Driffield at bay as they would look to use the conditions to camp in the home side's half.

Not to disappoint, they did just this, retaining possession with a series of good rucked ball testing Goole's tackling ability. Fortunately, they were up to their test, led very well by Moore, who despite his size disadvantage put in a couple of great tackles.

Goole started to show they could run the ball themselves and gradually made ground up field. A good sniping run from scrum-half Betteridge brought Newsome onto the ball to make a good 30 metres.

A kick over the top by Driffield saw Goole back in their own half, but it was fielded well by fullback Harman who outpaced the covering defense and put winger Stevens away. He was tackled just outside the Driffield 22 and from the resulting scrum Betteridge set of on one of his trademark runs to score a great solo try.

Goole were not hitting the rucks with their usual commitment and it was from a turnover ball that they got on the score sheet when they converted a penalty. The home side nearly went further ahead when winger Binnington picked up a kick from in his own half and beat two would be tacklers to get into the visitors 22 and only a great tackle from Driffield's fullback saved a certain try.

Goole lost possession from the next ruck and a couple off missed tackles resulted in the Driffield centre running almost the length of the pitch to score under the post. Things then got even worse for Goole as another loose kick was field by Driffield and turned into an easy try. From looking comfortable Goole went into half-time 15-5 down.

The half-time team talk concentrated on competing better at the rucks and mauls to ensure Driffield were starved of possession and then using the elements, which were now in Goole's favour.

The second half couldn't have started better for Goole. Driffeld knocked the ball on and from the resulting scrum Betteridge broke blind and fed Stevens, who raced in under the posts. Moore added the conversion. Another excellent run from Harman was taken on well by Kinghorn he drew the cover well before releasing Stevens who finished in style.

Goole were now in the lead again and totaling dominating the game and quickly added two more tries. A quick tap from Moore was fed onto Masterman who squeezed in at the corner. This was followed by a good take and run by number 8 Lamb at a line out. He placed the ball back well and Betteridge was on hand again to finish.

Stevens bagged his hat-trick when another smart piece of play by off-half Moore saw him spot a gap over the defensive line. With the cover wrong footed it was left to the winger to collect and touch down. With Moore injured after a slightly late tackle Lamb added the conversion.

With Driffield well and truly beaten Goole were now turning on the style with some great handling and offloading especially by centre Allen and Binnington. However, the last try went deservedly to Law, which capped a fine game for the technically excellent hooker.

A great result, even more pleasing by the fact that Goole scored 34 unanswered points in the second half. There were a number of notable performances: Betteridge and Stevens for their 5 try haul; second row Anderson for the way he quietly but very effectively goes about his work; and Moore, having one of his better games, dictating the game from number 10. But the man of the match award went to hooker Ashley Law, who added a good deal of attack and defense to his usual spot on scrimmaging and line out work.