Superb double for East Retford

By dmarshall

East Retford recorded a superb double over Chesterfield Panthers with a fine 18-13 victory on the road.

Mikey Phillips and a converted Simon Phillips try, combined the boot of Simon Palmer, were enough to give the visitors the victory.

Simon Phillips stepped up to the position of captain in Iain Balmer's absence due to injury and was forceful in his build up.

However, after making a promising start, East Retford were forced back onto their own line.

A huge drive by Chesterfield saw their forwards cross the line but appeared to be held up. However, as the players peeled away, one by one, the referee decided the ball had been grounded and awarded a try.

To their credit, the whole of the Retford side showed good discipline and went straight back up the field from the re-start.

Ben Agar caught the man in possession and the pressure soon told as the home side gave up a penalty for Simon Palmer to convert for three points.

Twenty minutes later, Retford had a penalty awarded against them and went down by a further three points going into half-time.

At the start of the second half, a line-out was won by the hosts.

Then, a wayward throw from the Chesterfield hooker was unseen and resulted in a charge, where Chesterfield's forward finished up doing two rolls and a pirouette before once again appearing to be held up. However, the try was given.

Undeterred Retford bounced back with a penalty by Palmer before a great charge by Chris Maule ably supported by Mikey Phillips saw the side get deep into opposition territory.

The line-out was won and two forwards moves later saw the ball with the backs.

With an overlap created, Richard South passed out to Mikey Phillips who scampered over in the corner for a well worked and simply devised try which left the scores at 13-11 and all to play for.

Retford defended very well and attacked at every opportunity.

Simon Phillips found himself in open ground and he beat three players, leaving the full-back in his wake to score a great individual try, which was converted by Palmer, enabling Retford to take the lead by five points.

Retford had 12 minutes left so brought on fresh legs with Joe Helliwell replacing Richard Thorneloe in the front row and Dave Ruzicka replacing Agar.

Even when threatened in the scrum, some excellent hooking by TJ Hooker stole the ball so that Retford could clear the danger.

With only minutes left, Retford received a penalty which Palmer struck well but hit the upright and Chris Maule came so close to catching the rebound.

The discipline was excellent and led to the foundations for a sound team performance.

The man of the match award was given by the home team's captain to Simon Phillips for his never-say-die attitude in the forwards and Robert Mackender for his second half command of the forwards.