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Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 00:00
E Retford 1st XV 19
A TENSE finish saw E Retford hold on for cup victory at All Spartan OBs keeping alive their only realistic chance of silverware.
Retford started the game at full throttle testing the home defence to its limits with driving runs up to the top corner of the sloped pitch.
Retford continued to attack and they managed to retain scrum possession from a far heavier set of forwards, holding the drives at most of the scrums.
The ball was spun out to the backs for the first real potent attack and it arrived at Stu Parkin who managed to duck under a tackle to score the first try of the game to put Retford 5-0 up with the conversion just floating wide with the icy winds helping it miss.
This seemed to kick the Spartan team into life as well as their supporters.
Spartans took the game to Retford with some excellent kicking and attacking play, passing the ball out to the big winger who made plenty of yards through missed tackles and this helped along with penalties in Spartan's favour.
Spartans scored under the posts for an easy conversion making the score 7-5 in favour of the home team.
From the restart Retford looked to dominate again starting with the forwards but Keith Dalby received a 10 minute rest after exchanging some punches with his opposite number.
With some good rucking and mauling Retford crossed the line once again through Chris Maule, this time converted to make it 12-7 at half time.
The second half started with Retford going against the wind and hill but back up to the full compliment of 15.
Retford conceded an early penalty making the score 12-10, but the home side kept the pressure up and Retford conceded a convert try to take Spartans into a 17-12 lead and they were not going to give up the lead easily.
Retford found another gear to start putting relentless pressure on the Spartans line but they held firm even conceding four penalties.
With the Spartans forwards tiring and Retford having an upper hand in this department having captain Iain Balmer coming on in the second row to solidify the scrum.
With a number eight move called, Gary Woodcock broke off the back and tied up the scrum half and fly half just a meter off the line.
He managed to recycle the ball for Dalby to score next to the post and this was converted making the score 19-17 to Retford.
With 20 minutes to go and the Spartans tiring, it was becoming end to end stuff with everybody putting their bodies on the line.
Spartans were running out of ideas and all they had was the hefty boot of their full back who kept kicking it deep in to Retford's half only for the counter attack to be returned with interest each time.
The final whistle blew with a loud cheer from the Retford team.
On his return to the 1st team Man of the match for the forwards was awarded to Liam Walter. He was at every break down and put in some good tackles as well as taking good high balls.
Man of the Match for the backs went to S Parkin for some excellent defensive and attacking work. A big thank you must go to the handful of supporters who travelled to this important game.
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