Delight To Despair

Delight to Despair

Wath 21 v Roundhegians 22

Roundhegians returned to Moor Road to replay the Silver Trophy game that had been abandoned due to an injury to the referee. Between the two games Wath had achieved a healthy win in the league game in Leeds. However, it was clear from the start that the away team were far stronger due to the return of several key players.

After just 5 minutes Wath were forced to concede a kickable penalty but were given a let off as the kick went wide. Roundhegians maintained pressure on the home team and scored a try under the posts following several missed tackles. A successful conversion gave the away team a 0-7 lead after 10 minutes. Roundegians continued to dominate as Wath were unable to match the intensity they had shown the previous week. Against the run of play the home side were next to score as they eventually applied pressure of their own. Adam West, playing out of position in the centre cut a good line to crash over the line. Jack Whitlam converted and Wath were level 7-7 on the half hour.

Roundhegians were in no mood to give up and their power and determination resulted in them restoring their advantage 5 minutes later. On half time Wath regained parity at 14-14 on the scoreboard when Matt Burrows scored a close range try and Whitlam converted.

Wath were soon under territorial pressure in the second half but their dogged defence held out.
The opposition had another penalty attempt at goal and Wath were fortunate as it hit the post and was cleared. On 65 minutes it looked like Wath had weathered the storm as Tom Quinn sprinted onto a pass from Joe Bartlett and gave room for Sam Holt to burst over the line. A kick from wide by Whitlam gave Wath the lead for the first time at 21-14.

Into the last 10 minutes Roundhegians upped their level of commitment even further and Wath were unable to cope as the away team scored a third try. A relatively easy conversion was missed and at 21-19 it looked like Wath had scraped an undeserved victory. However, Roundhegians’ team spirit was rewarded as in the dying minutes. They gained good field position and their stand off showed great composure to drop kick the underdogs to victory: 21-22.

Wath should have no complaints as their opponents outplayed them for most of the game and only showed glimpses of their previous week’s form.

Steve Corns