Rishworthians win a very entertaining game


Match report Sunday 20th September Friendly
This was a much closer game than the score suggests with Moortown sealing victory with the last move of the game. Until that point it was a game that either team could have won. The two teams have met twice now this season with Rishworthian's winning the first, close encounter and Moortown out to avenge the earlier defeat on their home ground.

Rishworthian's were playing with a few changes in the three-quarter line-up with Ledgard moving to full-back and Percival again playing in the centre. In the forwards, their captain, Fowles and wing-forward Mansell, were sidelined with injuries.

The match started with a bit of sorting out to do in the set-pieces with neither teams' forwards able to take control of the line-outs and scrums. After a few reset scrums, the game got into its stride and Moortown soon showed their ability with the ball in hand as they picked up a clearing kick from Rish and ran the ball at the opposition. A chip over by the winger was well followed up and Moortown went over for the first points with a converted try.

The next ten minutes of the game were pretty evenly matched and some strong tackling by Rish saw three of the home-side go off in quick succession with injuries. Despite the play being broken up, Rish started to assert themselves and got back into the game. Good possession from a ruck saw the ball moved wide to Percival who ran in a try from 40 metres out. Kelly converted well against a blustering wind.

It looked like the teams would go in at half-time with honours even but some good pressure from the Moortown forwards and some poor tackling by Old Risworthians saw the home team put another five points on the board just before the whistle.

Half Time: Moortown 12 - 7 Rishworthians

The second half saw both teams scrapping for possession and a lot of mistakes as dry conditions and a blustery wind saw attempts at running rugby hampered by poor passing and too many mistakes by both sides.

Whilst the teams appeared evenly matched, Moortown were able to play the more incisive rugby when they got possession and a good blind side move just inside Rish's half saw Moortown scramble over for a third try which was converted. At 19-7 the game could have run away from Rish but they dominated the last twenty minutes of the match with excellent possession being won by the forwards time and time again. The backs tried hard to put some clever moves together but were not making the final pass count.

With pressure in Moortown's half, Broadbent eventually broke down the home side's defence with a well-taken solo effort. An excellent conversion from Kelly reduced the deficit to five points. Rish continued to work hard to get the decisive points but despite continuing pressure and possession they weren't able to breakdown a team that defended very well. The last few minutes of the game were marred by a yellow card for Broadbent and with the numerical advantage, Moortown broke out of their half and, again, the chip ahead by their number 11 saw him win the race to touch down for a try from the last play of the game.

Final Score: Moortown 24 - 14 Rishworthians

Man of the Match: Not awarded

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Team
1. Ettenfield-Nann2. Illingworth3. Thomson
6. Hope-Collins7. Broadbent T
4. Zientek5. Collett
8. Seleznev
9. Cowey 
10. Kelly C2  
12. Percival T  
13. A Watkins
11. Floyd14. Bottomley
 15. Ledgard  
Subs
T HirstSmart