Garforth II vs Burley II
10th November 2007
1 Peter Shaw 2 Tom Barnes 3 Chris Dawes
4 Mike Ward 5 Rob Stone
6 Julian Broster 7 Brendon Cowy 8 Jim Griffin
9 Jonny Baker
10 Tim Betts
11 Gav Leeman 12 Danny Bates 13 Elliot Viles 14 Jon Bowskill
15 Karl Hayward
The Bench
17 Danny Morrell 18 Jamie Cherkh 16 Duncan Elsey 19 Stuart Nichols 20 Matt Bradley
Arrival at Garforth saw a quick change to the original starting line up as Chris Dawes showed enthusiasm to prop and put us in the position to go with competitive scrums, Duncan dropping to Touch Judge and a place on the bench. This was then scuppered when the referee informed us that Garforth didn't have three front rowers in their line up that appeared to include around ten subs. The game kicked off with a strongish wind blowing down the hill and this is where much of the game was played, in the Garforth twenty-two. Garforth were running everything out of defence and rarely kicked in the opening half. Burley were very strong in the forwards, dominating the line-out on both their own and the Garforth sides throw were quick to show their metal and used good possession to gain ground. Unfortunately when possession was lost in the area between the twenty-two and the halfway line, mistakes were made in the tackle and Garforth used their right hand side against Burley's left to surge up the hill and score two very similar tries. One involving Burley being split by Garforths props with their No.3 touching down. Burley rallied and should have had a score as Karl Hayward was adjudged held up in the corner. The referee not seeing whether the ball had actually been grounded, Karl assured us that it had but that was it, no points. His Garforth counterpart was injured in the tackle and had to be helped from the field. It was only a matter of time before Burley eventually hit back with a score. This came from Jules Broster, a welcome return after a couple of years out following a bad knee injury, Jules took a short pass and burst through at the side of the posts allowing a comfortable conversion from Tim Betts. With Burley now pressing a second score soon came as Mike Ward worked his way over following some fine play from the forwards. This time the kick was not successful. Approaching half -time with two points in the score Garforth went in again under the Sticks, with an easy conversion they led by two scores at the break. A number of changes were made at half-time by both side and Burley started the better with a sustained period of pressure bringing four penalties in quick succession on the Garforth line. However with a possible score looming possession was lost and Garforth swept down the hill for a score. Burley to their credit regathered and worked their way up the slope for a fine try form Gav Leeman, unfortunately not goaled. Further substitions saw the introduction of Duncan and Stuart, but it was Garforth who had the next score, again down their right hand side. This produced one of those farcicle moments with the home touch judge on the left hand post giving the goal whilst Burley's man with the flag indicating that the ball had passed to right of his post and not over the cross-bar. The referee gave the goal much to the amusement of several Garforth supporters and players who clearly knew, and showed they knew, that the kick had been missed. Garforth soon crossed again under the posts to secure the game and add a legitimate conversion. Burley battle well and showed much improvement from last weeks mauling by Mods. Twenty players is a good sign of commitment and a win cannot be far around the corner. The score was 32-17 to Garforth, our try scorers were Julian Broster, Mike Ward, and Gav Leeman. One converstion was kicked by Tim Betts.