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Frustrating loss at Old Grovians
In a tense and compelling game Wetherby conspired to lose this close match. They let themselves down by over reacting to some puzzling Referee’s decisions A failing which lost them valuable league points in a previous game against Otliensians.
Old Grovians set off well looking for early points but failed when a penalty kick hit the post and bounced out but took the lead with a further penalty awarded for a reckless tackle by Wetherby. From the kick off the Grovians winger fielded the ball and was able to run 30 meters unhindered. This happened again when poor tackling allowed him to make good ground and set up a field position for Grovians to be able to kick a further penalty.
Wetherby were finally roused and their forwards began driving hard at the home defence. They were on top in the mauls and were putting the home team’s scrum under great pressure.
This signalled a bombardment of the Grovian’s try line. First a drive from a line out almost brought a try and with a second rolling maul they appeared to have got over the line but the Referee awarded a scrum.
Yet again the Reds crossed the try line and were incensed by the try being disallowed. Wetherby continued to press and though 3 further driving mauls were defended the Referee awarded a penalty for offside some 40 meters away across field. A quick tap penalty by Nick Oates enabled Andrew Trotman to crash over. Myles Oates converted to give the visitors a 7 – 6 lead.
Instead of pressing home their advantages it all went horribly wrong when the Ref showed Wetherby 2 yellow cards just before half time. Not surprisingly Grovians mounted several attacks against 13 men.
To their credit the Reds managed to hold out and once up to strength again their pack took control with Frank Pitchford leading the charge and giving the home prop a torrid time. Wetherby’s discipline let them down again
They were awarded a penalty which was reversed for dissent and this enabled Grovians to take a 9-7 lead from the resulting penalty.
Though Wetherby were in charge for most of the remaining time they could not make the breakthrough. Their backs were just not connecting and when they seemed to have done so the last pass was adjudged forward with the line at their mercy. They also had a chance with a long range penalty which faded wide.