Wath Lose Control

Wath Lose Control

Goole 19- Wath 17

The home team made a determined start to the game, which appeared to catch Wath off guard.
Following a line out, the Goole forwards were allowed to drive close to their opponent’s line and, after several attempts, they forced their way over for a try. The conversion went wide but Wath were 5-0 down after two minutes.

Fortunately, Wath reacted positively. Having made progress into the Goole 22, the Wath forwards won their line out and, after a series of mauls, Luke Stead went over. Jack Whitlam, returning from cricket duties, made no mistake with the conversion. Wath took the lead 5-7 after 6 hectic minutes.

The game settled into a dogfight in midfield. As the rain got heavier handling became more difficult and play got scrappier. Midway through the half Wath were awarded a penalty and Whitlam increased Wath’s advantage to 5-10. The score remained the same until half time and Wath appeared to have control of the game.

As the game restarted after the break Wath continued to dominate the match. Following several collapsed, or turning, scrums, near the home team’s line the referee awarded a penalty try.
Wath now had a comfortable 5-17 lead.

Goole had different ideas as they determinedly forced their way back into the game. Increasingly applying pressure, they made several breaks to test the Wath defence. One such break on the hour mark resulted in a desperate tackle by Joe Earp which was deemed dangerous by the referee and a yellow card was issued to the stand-in captain.

Playing against 14 men, Goole sensed blood and continued to press. Eventually the Wath defence was breached and the home team closed the score to 12-17 following the successful conversion. As Earp was due to return to the field for the last 10 minutes, prop, Anthony Hamilton, was penalised for obstruction after a kick and his yellow meant Wath would have to finish the game a man down.

In a replay from last season Goole were able to take advantage of Wath’s ill- discipline in the closing minutes. Scoring a converted try to take the lead 19-17, Goole snatched a in and Wath were left wondering how they had lost control of a game they appeared to have in their grasp.

Steve Corns

The Andy Hopkin Paragraph

The handsome, toned centre arrived unusually early but was welcomed into the changing room by his adoring teammates. As he stripped to get changed those around stared at this magnificent torso.
When he entered into the conversation pearls of wisdom flowed with every comment. During the game he led by example; bone crushing tackles, dynamic running and even included a pass.
Despite his heroic efforts those around were unable to play at Andy’s level and Wath perished.
If only we had more players with the ability and presence of this man amongst men.