Burley V Garforth
15th December 2007
Burley 23 - 20 Garforth
Burley made the short journey across Leeds to play local rivals Garforth. Having run Otliensians close last week Burley were in confident mood, and hoping to do the double over a Garforth side ,who themselves are unbeaten since coming unstuck at Burley some four weeks ago.
Without Skipper Jamie Ferguson, Winger Neil Robinson, Prop Adam Wider, Second row Milosz, and Flanker Richie Christie, Burley had Ian Anderson on the Wing ,James Farad at Prop and Dan Johnston at Wing Forward.
With the game in doubt due to a heavy overnight frost the pitch was firm, but surprisingly playable. Fortunate for both clubs as the game would have had to be played next Saturday the 22nd.
Garforth are a go forward side with plenty of strong straight runners and only the tightest of defences keeps them at bay.
From the kick off both teams tested each other out, after 10mins however the Home side won a scrum in their 22 and their adventurous Fly Half Gommerson went to the short side and fed strong running Winger Claxton, before he could get into his stride he was well tackled by Burley wing Brad Stovell. The ball was immediately won by Captain James Palfrey-Smith and quickly sent along the line to Centre Andy Bissett. With space to work in this was an ideal position for Bissett who outpaced the Home defence to score near the corner. Fly half Richie Parrish just failing with the extras.
Any hopes of retaining the lead were soon forgotten when after a series of of forward drives, and with the help of some sloppy Burley tackling the Garforth second Row touched down near the posts. With the try converted this gave the Home side a 7-5 lead.
This set back did not deter a determined Burley and after 25mins Bissett received the ball again in space and broke clear stepping the Full Back to touch down in exactly the same position as his first score. Parrish just failing to convert kept the score at 10-7.
Garforth however are formidable opponents, and after further pressure from their strong running forwards they took the lead with a converted try by their bald vocal Wing Forward Horwill.
A further Gommerson penalty now gave the Home side a 17-10 lead. At this point Garforth were certainly on top and Burley were looking jaded. Just before Half time Parrish slotted over a Penalty...coming at the right time and narrowing the deficit to 17-13.
A half time pep talk by Coach Paul Bissett ,plus some tactical changes with Palfrey-Smith moving into his favored front row position in place of Farad ,Charlie McKinnon moving to No8, Centre Henry Bisson to Flanker, Brad Stovell into the Centre and Andy Jones coming in on the Wing.
With the solid front five of Palfrey-Smith, Hooker Sean Robertson and Paul Pinder with Locks George Curtis and Alex Short the Burley scrum was strong but losing to many lineout balls putting themselves under increasing pressure. Burleys defence though was holding firm with Johnston, Bisson and Scrum Half Mark Walton to the fore.
Both sides were capable of winning the game and after exchanging penalties with the final quarter approaching, Burley were looking the stronger.
An insertion into the line by Full Back Martin Zielinski released winger Ian Anderson who nearly squeezed in at the corner. A cleanly won lineout on the Garforth 22 saw Burley catch and drive to their opponents' line. With the maul going down the ball was released along the backs. The Garforth midfield were up to quickly and penalised in front of their posts.
A quick tap kick into hand by Stovell was halted by Home Scrum Half Thwaites who tackled him without the ball. The on the spot Referee immediately awarded a Penalty try and Yellow Carded the unfortunate Thwaites. The successful conversion gave Burley a 23-20 lead.
A desperate Garforth could find no way through Burleys defence and further indiscipline by Flanker Horwill left them finishing the game with 13 men.
A good League win for Burley making it three out of four.
After the game the entire Burley team went back to the Gaping Goose for refreshments.