rugbyman wrote:20 - 20
Haha thought you had dissapeared, knew it would bring you out.
No match report today Jim, was looking forward to reading it.
Moorends-Thorne Marauders switched their hastily arranged Doncaster cup game against Bentley Good Companions to their opponents A19 Bentley Road ground because the Recreation Ground, Moorends was waterlogged.
Companions dominated the early territorial exchanges forcing the Marauders to kick a few times from deep, When in good field position the Marauders found themselves guilty of knocking on early in their sets or attempting and forcing passes that normally would not have been attempted, in contrast simple controlled football saw the home side being guided around the field by Man of the Match Paul Ward who was head and shoulders above the rest on show throughout the game.
First blood went to the home side after 7 minutes, back to back sets of pressure within the visitors 20 metres saw Andy Downie tackled 5 metres short, Scott Smith dummied from acting half-back before diving over for the first try, Craig Whincop converted from wide out, 6 - 0.
Moorends started to pressure the Companions line ! But after a good set and kick that took the visitors deep inside the Companions 10, the Marauders gave away a silly penalty and any chance to build on the previous hard work was relieved , Great driving by Danny Royle and Mick Rogerson built the platform for the next score, A kick on the last tackle by the Companions took a wicked deflection and Andy Whitefield gleefully pounced on the loose ball on 12 minutes, young Craig Whincop calmly stroked over the touchline kick, 12 - 0.
Looking rudderless the Marauders where being well served by Ben Hofmann and Gareth Everton who constantly battered themselves forward, it took until the 31st minute before the visitors got themselves on the board, Steve Allen and Alex Palmer set up the position for Chris Allen to pop up an excellent short ball for Mark Roach to crash onto before going over, Ryan Rafferty converted, 12 - 6.
Moorends had started to move more and more into the game and a nice flowing movement to the left involving Mark Roach, Chris Allen, Greg Mills and finally Shaun Carey saw the winger going over in the corner on 36 minutes, 12 - 10.
Half-Time Bentley Good Companions 12 - 10 Moorends-Thorne Marauders
The game could not develop into a classic as both side where constantly frustrated by the inconsistent man with the whistle, With the game going know where fast, Bentley broke the games bottleneck on 50 minutes when Scott Smith, Paul Ward and Rhys Bailey combined to send Paul Purnell over in the corner for an excellent flowing try, Craig Whincop displayed is accuracy again with his third touchline conversion, 18 - 10.
Moorends finally started to ask questions of the Companions defence which was standing tall and sound, it was eventually breached on 62 minutes with a Chris Allen grubber kick that Greg Mills dived on for a try, 18 - 14.
The clock was ticking down and the home side sensed a victory was in sight, deliberately slowing down the play possibly had a reverse effect on the home side as Moorends took advantage of the home side dropping their tempo, Chris Allen again opened the Companions door taking the ball forward before sending his brother Steven Allen in next to the posts, Ryan Rafferty put the Marauders in the lead for the first time on 78 minutes, 18 - 20.
Controversy brought the last score of the game ! from the kick-off the Marauders claimed the ball had not gone the 10 required metres and in the scuffle Bentley came up with the football, on the next play the referee ironically award a penalty to Bentley in front of the Marauders posts, with the last kick of the game, Sniper Whincop drew the scores level with his 4 out of 4 strike on goal, 20 - 20
Full-Time Bentley Good Companions 20 - 20 Moorends-Thorne Marauders
Companions Tries
Scott Smith
Andy Whitefield
Paul Purnell
Companions Goals
Craig Whincop 4
Marauders Tries
Mark Roach
Shaun Carey
Greg Mills
Steve Allen
Marauders Goals
Ryan Rafferty 2
Man of the Match : Paul Ward (Companions)
