Goole’s difficult start to the season continued with defeat in another close fought match against a lively Morley side. Both sides being very evenly matched for long periods in the game but in the end, it was a couple of lapses in concentration that cost Goole the game. Yet again injuries and unavailability resulted in more forced changes to the Goole team with Chris Wood, Pat Graf Grote and Ollie Sugden in the starting lineup along with the returning Tom Holt, Ashton Neal and James Chantry. Rhys Moore made a welcome return on the bench after injury alongside Ollie Pearson.
The game started with both teams playing at a high tempo without achieving any penetration as the teams effectively cancelled each other out in the opening 30 minutes with limited point scoring opportunities. The early loss of fullback Danny Holt, with a shoulder injury, was a blow for Goole with Ollie Pearson coming off the bench as it took until the 32nd minute for the first points to be put on the board from an easy Morley penalty in front of the posts for an infringement that cost Goole the loss of scrum half Elliot Harman to a yellow card. As Goole worked hard to keep out the aggressive Morley attackers, they were dealt another blow when Pearson was also yellow carded for a knock on whilst attempting to intercept a Morley pass close to the Goole try line. Down to 13 men and defending a 5m scrum was never going to result in a happy outcome for Goole and so it transpired with a Morley unconverted try in the corner to extend their lead to 8 – 0. Goole then dug deep to safely see out the remaining first half without conceding being quite happy to get to half time just 8 – 0 down.
If Goole were satisfied to see out the first half as they did, the start of the second half had the opposite outcome as they conceded a try within the first minute of the restart. A clear catch in the Goole 22 should have given them plenty of time to clear but they found themselves under pressure and a hurried clearance kick giving possession to the home side who ran the ball back. Simple passing along their three quarter line resulting in the winger going over and round under the posts for a try to extend Morley’s lead to 15 – 0. To Goole’s credit they responded well and pushed Morley back into their own half with the help of a penalty kicked to touch just outside the home team 22. Good possession and aggressive running resulting in a half break near the Morley line followed by a neat inside pass to Graf Grote who went over for a well-earned converted try. 15 – 7 just nine minutes into the second half. Back came the home side as Goole struggled to get out of their own 22 with clearance kicks ran back by the powerful Morley ball carriers. The heavyweight threats under the Goole posts were dealt with but this created space out wide again for Morley to go over for their third try. The missed conversion taking the score to 20 – 7 with Goole now on the back foot and looking jaded as they struggled to get out of their own half. Couple that with penalties conceded and the outcome was inevitable when Morley opted for a scrum following a penalty award for a high tackle in front of the Goole posts. The converted try and conversion stretching the home team lead to 27 – 7 with ten minutes of the match remaining.
Once again Goole showed their character as they took the game to the home side scoring two late tries with Will Townend once again getting on the scorecard. Unfortunately, neither was converted but the Goole ball carriers were finally being rewarded as they brought the score to 27 – 17 with just enough time on the clock to restart the game. With Morley just wanting to get the ball off the pitch to secure the game Goole gained possession and ran into open ground on halfway. One pass to the open support on the touchline and a try under the posts was on the cards giving Goole two very valuable bonus points. Unfortunately, the final pass was deemed to be forward and the bonus points went begging. Final score 27 – 17, with Goole competing once again to the very end despite being on the back foot for much of the second half. Testing times for Goole currently with mounting injuries and unsettled selection challenges but with two home matches to come they have the chance to kick start their season.