Wath 1XV vs. Roundhegians 1XV

Wath Lose Out To Superior Finishing

Wath entertained Roundhegians, in their first home game of the season at Moor Road and immediately put the away team on the defence. Continued pressure finally told and Joe Earp crashed over the line from close range. Anthony Barratt converted to give Wath a 7 – 0 lead. Further pressure from the impressive Wath team failed to deliver more points as the away team defended well. After 30 minutes of almost constant possession Wath were caught by a counter- attack that enabled Roundhegians to level the score.

Wath restored their advantage with a penalty from Barratt but were stunned just before the break as the visitors equalised with a penalty, and then went ahead 10 – 17, with another converted try scored from open play.

The Wath coach made some interchanges at half time, but Roundhegians were first to score in the second half to take their lead to 10 points with a penalty. Wath tried hard to respond and went close on a couple of occasions, but the final passes lacked precision and chances were missed as they felt the pressure of the scoreboard.

Roundhegians scored again from another quick raid into Wath territory to make the score 27 – 10 and put the game beyond the Wath team’s reach. To their credit Wath never gave up, but a consolation try by Joe Bartlett failed to lift the feeling of despondency as the final whistle blew.

A disappointing result left the home team questioning where things went wrong in a game when after 20 minutes they looked certain winners.The final score of 15- 27 did not reflect the possession and territorial advantage of Wath but did highlight the touch of class in the away team’s support of the break and clinical finishing.

Steve Corns.