FRUSTRATING GAME FOR THE FORESTERS.
The folly of sticking your neck out !! Following the convincing win against Scunthorpe, that report offered the optimistic opinion that “only a very good side would beat the Foresters “. One was encountered very quickly as Tynedale overcame the Greens by a considerable margin (50 -10), the week after ,which rapidly brought the Foresters and reporter down to earth with a considerable bump !! So what would the outcome of the next game be , against Sheffield , one could ask. I assure you the match was approached with baited breath, especially by a nervous match reporter.
Whilst not at their very best, this was more like the Foresters we know, although still not quite to the efficiency of old. This game was evenly fought with a referee who was determined to show his disciplinary powers and who obviously had been watching many football matches by allowing eight minutes extra time , to the detriment of the Foresters. Difficult to be critical but sometimes things just don`t go your way – let`s be honest that`s Sport !!
The first fifteen minutes showed the home side in a bad light, as they seemed hesitant and slow to react but slowly and surely organised themselves to better effect and the pack in particular grew more solid as the game developed. Whitehead, Marsden and Altham not only formed a solid front row but defended well in the loose and Borrill and Heyes , good in general play and line outs , made several good attacking breaks from their position as locks. Tackling was fierce throughout.
Despite their narrow superiority, at this stage, Sheffield were not able to prevent Smith, after good work by the backs, from going in for a try, converted by Max Bell and a home team lead of 7-0. Bells kicking , both for conversions and finding touch was excellent throughout. Quickly in reply Sheffield scored a very good solo run try, converted and 7-7 on the board. The referee was being ultra strict awarding 10 yard penalties for “chatter” and twice making them 20 yards- quite unusual ! This applied to both sides by the way ! Thus ended the first half.
Wharfedales backs made several mistakes , mainly due to a very slippery ball, difficult to handle in the conditions but you could not fault their attempts to give 100% to the cause. Full back Hall steady at the rear and the threequarters constantly looking for the opportunity to force their way forward , with Prell and Darwin forming a good centre/ wing combination and Mountain and Bennet equally industrious on the other side. Despite the aforementioned conditions not helping, the half back partnership of Max Bell and Walker tried valiantly at all times to keep the attacking line progressing and as always replacements Holden, Craven, Hancock and Will Bell assisted in no uncertain way when introduced,
Early in the second half , after some poor tackling by the Greens the visitors scored a try in the corner, very well converted and giving them a lead of 7-14. Wharfedale were now starting to show more adventure , especially in the backs and after good flowing movement and assistance from the forwards, the industrious Fawcett went over for a well deserved try, as both he and Beresford worked hard in the loose supporting back play. Bell again converted and we stood at 14-14. This was increased to a home side lead of 17-14 when Max Bell slotted a penalty over. When given the opportunity should more penalty conversions have been attempted , one may ask ?
At this point it seemed that the home side would gain victory but for some reason eight minutes extra time was played, which Sheffield capitalised on and came back with intensity scoring a try and conversion in the 7th minute of extra time. A final score of 17-21 to the visitors who had played with tremendous enthusiasm throughout. This was a very evenly matched contest and credit should go to both sides for an entertaining , hard fought, match . Was the Foresters game management correct -possibly not as the chance of several scoring opportunities were allowed to slip away but once again it`s easy to say that after the game and once more the old phrase crops up -That`s Sport !!
It will take a good side to beat the Foresters !! That`s 2-3 so far . Good judge !!!
Squad :- T Whitehead, F Marsden, G Altham, S Borrill, Z Heys,S Smith, J Fawcett, T Beresford, M Bell, F Walker,O Hall, J Prell, T Darwin, M Mountain (capt),S Bennet. Replacements :- L Craven, S Holden, W Bell, A Hancock.
Fred Bullough.