Worms V West Park Bramhope
Bramhope 2nds 17
Knottingley 2nds 17
22nd October 2005
Knottingley restored their pride after last
weeks defeat against Ponty Pythons with this hard fought draw against the merit
table leaders.
Knottla for the first time in weeks fielded a
strong pack which competed on equal terms with a much larger Park outfit. From the outset Park showed their
intent, when a poor Knottla kick off brought play back to the centre circle for
a scrum, heralding a 20 minute period of pressure when Park pounded Knottla
defence. Strong tackling by the backs led by Jamie Liversedge and Chris Turton
enabled the forwards to regroup and win ruck ball. Park went over from 5 yards
out but knocked on.
A ball won
against the head allowed Knottla to relieve pressure by a long
kick downfield. From the resultant ruck Knottla backs recycled the ball and caused
Park to be penalised for a second offside. Steve Seedtook a quick tap, passed
to Mick Ward who kicked ahead behind Park defence and collected the ball to score
a try under the sticks, which he converted.
Knottla then took the game to Park, and from a
penalty in centre field, good interpassing between forwards and backs gave
Stephen Seed a final pass allowing him to break the defence and score under the
posts. He converted the kick to give Knottla a 14 point lead. Shortly afterwards
he was forced to leave the field with illness.
West Park came back and on the stroke of half time Alex
Laycock forced his way over for an unconverted try.
In the second half a rejuvenated Park saw
winger Rob Sharp break through Knottla dogged defence to score, converted by
Clitheroe. The game seesawed with Knottla steadfastly holding on to their narrow
2 point lead. Back chat by Knottla, when they had been given scrum advantage
from a Park knock on resulted in a penalty for Park, which they kicked into the
corner. From the resultant line out Park drove over for an unconverted try
giving them a 3 point lead.
Knottla came back and had a period of sustained pressure
near Park line, with Park giving away several penalties to prevent Knottla
scoring. A penalty try would have been justified. However, with time
running out Knottla took one penalty in front of the sticks and converted to
bring the score level, signalling the end of the game.
For Knottla props D K Williams and Neil Green,
flanker Matthew Lund and Graham Harrington were impressive, while Seed, Ward,
and Liversedge were the pick of the backs. However, it must be emphasised that
the result was a highly effective all round team effort, and it is hoped that
the same combination can be fielded in the coming weeks.
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