For the first home game of 2020 Wath were keen to avenge the defeat at Wheatley Hills earlier In the season and were first to score with a successful penalty by Callum Emery after 10 minutes.
Almost immediately Wheatley struck back. From a Wath handling error they were able to capitalise on some weak tackling to compound the mistake and score the opening try, which was well converted from the touch line to give the away side a 3-7 lead. Wath received a further blow on 20 minutes when experienced scrum half, Joe Bartlett, was sent to the sin bin.
The home team raised their game and, just before the half hour mark, the forwards made several strong individual carries before prop, Anthony Hamilton, managed to force himself over the Wheatley try line. The conversion was charged down but Wath had regained the lead 8-7.
The Doncaster side, once again, came back strongly and, in a similar scenario to their first try, they scored on the counter attack as Wath turned over the ball and failed to defend well enough in open play. Another successful conversion restored the away team’s advantage with the score 8-14.
Just before the half time break there was a flurry of yellow cards: Wath centre Andy Hopkin transgressed at a ruck and two Wheatley players were also were also sent to the bin, but the score remained 8-14 at the break.
After the restart, Wath were determined to cut out the handling errors that had littered the opening half and another try to Hamilton from close range closed the gap to 13-14 as the conversion was blown wide by the wind. The score remained the same until 70 minutes as both teams struggled to put together any consistent, quality rugby.
A try from a line out drive by Wheatley with 10 minutes left looked as if it would seal their victory, but the missed conversion did leave Wath a glimmer of hope with the score 13-19. In the gathering gloom the home team finally began to dominate territory and possession. Good teamwork gave winger, Sam Holt, the space to cross the line but, as the conversion went wide, Wheatley remained in front 18-19.
Into injury time Wath received a series of penalties as they put the away side under constant pressure. Strong, determined defence looked as if would hold on as Wath attacked with both forwards and backs getting close to the line. With what turned out to be their last chance centre, Anthony Barratt, used all his pace, power and determination to force the ball down beneath the posts. His simple conversion gave the home side a much needed 25-19 victory.
An important win for Wath as their determination snatched victory from the jaws of defeat but they must be aware there is room for improvement.
Steve Corns