Worms v Castleford
Knottingley 2nds 25
Castleford 2nds 0
Saturday 26th November 2005
Knottingley came out victors in
this hard fought local derby against stiff opposition from Castleford, the result belying the
division difference between the teams.
The visitors signalled their
intent from the outset, driving downfield into the Knottingley 22. Staunch
defence kept the scores level, but with Castleford mauling well, and turnover
ball being dropped through overeagerness, Knottingley were pegged in their own
22 for the first 20 minutes.
Knottingley scrum began to
combine well, taking two against the head. From the second of these, standoff
Turton made a break before passing to winger Dan Lunt who kicked 50 yards
downfield and recovered the ball before being tackled. Strong work from the
forwards in the ensuing maul released the ball to Ward who created the gap for
evergreen Jowett to beat the
defence and score the first try completely against the run of play.
It was Knottingleys turn to exert
some pressure, and good forward work saw them cross the line only for Castleford
to prevent the ball being grounded.
Castleford came back and punted a
speculative kick upfield deep into Knottingley 22. Fullback Haigh set off on a
50 yard run before offloading to Turton who combined with his forwards, passing
to the indomitable Stead, whose final pass to Walsh went to ground with the line
beckoning.
The score remained 5-0 at half time.
Early into the second period
Knottingley forwards asserted control and from a ruck, recycled to Turton and
Jowett, who released Walsh under the posts for the second try, converted by
Ward. Score 12-0.
Knottingley continued to press,
and it was only desperate relieving kicks that kept them out. Castleford were
guilty of obstruction and Ward kicked two penalties to make the score 18-0.
On the half hour, a period of
combined pressure with backs and forwards gelling together saw Ward released to
dive through a gap for the final try, which he then converted for a personal
points tally of 15 out of the 25 total score.
Castleford were guilty of kicking
away ball, which might have been put to better use in the backline. However,
this was as much due to Knottingley forward pressure as to taking the wrong
option. It was an entertaining game played in the best sporting spirit.
Knottingley players of note,
backs Haigh, who had an immense game at fullback, Jowett and Ward, while
forwards Stead and captain Walsh were again inspiring.
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