|
Middlesborough 17 Tarleton 22.
Loading the coach for the long haul to Middlesborough a little extra was packed along with the kits by the Tarleton boys: a belief in themselves that they could get the job done.
Straight from the kick off, Tarleton had Boro penned in their own half, the visitors gaining all the possession as they hammered away at Boro’s line. Rock-solid tackling by Middlesborough kept the visitors out, several times coming close to scoring as Alex Roebuck, Darren Boswarva, James Smith and Archie Skofic were all stopped inches short.
Just when you thought ‘Boro had to concede a penalty in front of the posts, the ball somehow got hacked down field. Outstripping the visitors’ defence, Middlesborough’s wing evaded Tarleton No.8, Rob Bramhall in pursuit. For fifteen minutes ‘Boro had barely seen the ball but now they led with an unconverted score.
The second half got under way with Middlesborough launching attacks to consolidate their advantage. Another break for the speedy ‘Boro winger was thwarted a determined Andrew Fishwick’s interception tackle, stopping him in the corner, but another ‘Boro break against play brought another try for home, this time converted, before Tarleton attacked again.
The pack went through the phases, continually driving forward, and scrum half James Smith drove over to put Tarleton back in with a chance, albeit the conversion was conversion missed.
Whilst flanker Archie Skofic set up some promising Tarleton attacks, Alex Roebuck provided the next try, breaking through with a well timed off-load to wing Sean Murphy to score. Again, the conversion was missed but the visitors were only two points adrift.
A penalty awarded in front of the posts saw spectators, coaches and players pointing to the sticks and whilst Adam Peacock struck the post, Andrew Fishwick‘s quick-reaction and sprint saw him pluck the ball from above the defenders’ heads to crash over and give Tarleton the lead for the first time, but not for long.
Boro responded with another try, and again the conversion slipped wide but the Tarleton side was now fully fired up and once again Fishwick, with ball in hand, outpaced the ‘Boro backs on a curving run to score, Alex Roebuck adding the extras.
On a day the kickers on both sides would want to forget, further opportunities went begging but, whilst the home team almost scored, the visitors did just enough and referee Nick Ramsdon blew the whistle to end yet another exceptional colts game.
Tarleton Squad.
1 - Darren Boswarva, 2 - Oliver Ashley, 3 - Tom Ball; 4 - Stan Stock, 5 - Sam Marsh ; 6 - Sam Wareing, 7 - Archie Skofic, 8 - Rob Bramhall;
9 - James Smith (Captain), 10 - Alexander Zavalis Roebuck; 11 - Mathew Smith, 12 - Sean Taylor, 13 - Andrew Fishwick, 14 - Sean Murphy, 15 - Adam Peacock
Replacements: Oliver Forbes Shaw, Tom Frankland. James Fay. Coach Steve Wood
|
