LAST LEAGUE GAME

Northallerton 1st team hosted visitors, high flying Goole for the last league game of the season, who proceeded to out play North and send them to a 3-21 defeat.
Goole who were hoping to claim runners up spot and promotion to Yorkshire 2, started off confidently and pinned North back in their own 22 straight from the kick off. During the first 30 minutes that is where North stayed, with only the briefest of respites being from clearance kicks, which were immediately returned with interest. Northallerton to their credit defended excellently, especially Rob Green and Rich Lonsdale, and without giving away any silly penalties!
Then on the 30 minute mark North's clearance kick was chased down field by Matty Bell and Rhys Kilbride, with both players pressurising the Goole backs into a couple of errors, which resulted in a penalty. Tim Tomling stepped up to kick the penalty and put North into a surprising 3-0 lead.
Goole responded immediately with a searching 50 yard kick to touch. North were having trouble with their lineout's all afternoon, and again lost another of their own lineout's before giving away a penalty which Goole's fly half easily converted. Two minutes later Goole were awarded a dubious penalty for offside, again converted easily. With half time looming Goole forced North into a mistake in the centre of the field, from which the Goole winger picked up the ball and raced away. With the conversion the half time score was 3-13
Within 2 minutes of the restart a exact copy of the try just before half time gifted Goole another try to increase the lead to 18-3. It was even worse for North, as Kilbride suffered an injury whilst trying in vain to prevent the try and had to be replaced by trusty winger Nic Bainbridge. North then tried to get their backs more involved in the game via Nathan Cannel and the dangerous looking Mathew Bell. Even though North had slightly more possession than in the first half, they still could not break down a very well organised Goole defence. Both teams then got a player sent to the sin bin for a minor scuffle - no prizes for guessing who it was for Northallerton!
After 60 minutes Goole were awarded another penalty for hands in the ruck, when North were too eager to regain the ball. The converted penalty ended the game as a contest at 21-3, but the visitors still pressed for more tries and bonus points. Northallerton still defended with everything they had to keep the visitors out.
This was an unfortunate end to Captain Paul Dixons season, despite having his best ever try scoring season he will be handing the reigns over to a new Captain, who will be voted in at the club's AGM on May 4th.

Next Sunday 1st May, Northallerton Veterans (over 35s) will be playing their first and last game of the season at Wensleydale. Kick off is at 2pm, all past and present players are welcome to play, even for just a fifteen minute run/walk out! Please meet at Wensleydale at 1ish.