Wath 34 Roundhegians 31

Wath 34- Roundhegians 31

Bonus Point Win, Just.

Lowly placed Roundhegians looked nothing like relegation fodder on their third visit to Moor Road this season. Having been dumped out of the cup by the Leeds team, Wath were keen to avenge the defeat, but were immediately on the back foot. A series of loose clearance kicks invited the away team on to the attack. It was only a matter of time before they broke through Wath’s defence to score a converted try to make the score 0-7 after 5 minutes.

The home team rallied and their relentless power game earned them a penalty 5 metres from the opposition line. An easy 3 points was spurned in exchange for a scrum. Wath earned two more penalties but somehow Roundhegians survived.

Turning the screw, Wath forward, Tom Swift, made a good half break and fed the ball to Ash Rothery who finished off the attack with fine footwork to score near the posts. Jack Whitlam’s conversion levelled the score at 7-7 after 20 minutes.

Roundhegians regained the lead 7-10, with a penalty on 35 minutes following a period of play in midfield, but Wath had the last say just on half time. The industrious Rothery energetically followed up a kick. Managing to charge down the kick, the ball fell to winger, Sam Holt, who used his pace and power to beat three defenders and cross the try line. Whitlam converted to make the score 14- 10 at the break.

An easy penalty by Whitlam extended Wath’s advantage to 17- 10 early in the second half, but Roundhegians responded well and Wath had to defend a period of intense pressure on their own line. Wath escaped without conceding, led by an exhilarating break by centre, Andy Hopkin. Turning defence into attack, Wath went further ahead with a try by hooker, James Dobson. Whitlam again converted and Wath’s lead grew 24- 10 after 50 minutes.

Playing perhaps their best rugby of the season, Wath blitzed the opposition with some excellent 15 man rugby. Another try was created by “poacher “, James Dobson, and one by Ben Keen but both went unconverted as Wath opened up a convincing advantage: 34-10 on the hour.

Roundhegians showed great team spirit and played their way back into the game. Scoring converted tries on 65 and 70 minutes, they had Wath on the rack as they closed the score to 34-24. Wath’s task of holding out for the win was not helped when they were reduced to 14 men as Joe Bartlett received a yellow card with the game entered the final phase.

In a game Wath had appeared to be winning emphatically, they were forced to defend desperately.
They did eventually concede another converted try but, fortunately, the referee’s whistle confirmed it was the last play of the match. Wath had won 34- 31.

On this performance Roundhegians looked to have too much ability to be relegated but Wath will need to display their best quality play more consistently if they want to compete against top of the table, Goole, next Saturday at home.

Steve Corns.