Winlaton Vulcans RFC

Winlaton arrived at the ground buoyed by the fact they had won the last 3 fixtures in the league after suffering losses in all 4 of their opening fixtures. With the availability of players improving after the holiday period hopes were high of a win against a young Houghton side who had only won 1 off their opening 7 games, albeit in the last game against Yarm.

Some last minute changes to the team due to late cry offs meant that several players arrived later than the rest of the squad and this affected the pre match preparations.

The game started with the home side kicking off and attacking the clubhouse and after some early midfield skirmishes with neither side taking the ascendancy Houghton were awarded a penalty 30 metres out and fairly central which was duly dispatched by the number 10. Winlaton’s larger and more experience pack were now beginning to dominate but on several occasions they were either penalised or turned over ball when in good positions which gave the home side and their slicker back line the opportunity to break the gain line and give them some breathing space.

One such raid gave them another opportunity after 25 mins, Winlaton were offside at a ruck and again the Fly Half dispatched the 3 points from 35 metres to put Houghton up 6-0.

Winlaton then created a spell of possession which should have reduced the deficit, Houghton were penalised for killing the ball at the ruck, something they were allowed to do all game by the South African exchange referee, and Kevin Allison kicked what he believed were 3 points but only 1 touch judge raised his flag. The referee deciding the kick was unsuccessful, one of many contenscious decisions for both sides that afternoon.

Not put off by this Winlaton’s forwards created a series of drives which resulted in the ball being spun out to the backs, with the home sides defence stretched, Fly half Tariq Albassam drifted across the three quarters and picking out a gap between 2 forwards ghosted through to score under the posts, successfully converted by Allison. Another infringement by the home side allowed Allison to stretch the lead to 4 points and Winlaton were denied another score when a drive by the pack resulted in Moore touching down but the referee was unsighted and declined to award the score. Half time score 6-10.

The second half began with Winlaton making a change in the backs as inside centre Johnstone had to leave the field due to an Achilles injury being replace by Mothersdale who was available for his 1st game of the season, Number 8 Robinson was also replaced by player/coach Graeme Clarkson due to a recurring thumb injury.

The changes had an immediate effect with Winlaton creating some worthy chances none of which were taken, frustration was surfacing and one such phase created the next score for Houghton. The home side were pinned in their own 22 and had been for 10 mins, Winlaton while trying to force the issue spilled the ball which was picked up by the Houghton skipper. The outside centre then proceeded to carve a path through Winlaton’s defences and had a score which was worthy of any game scoring from a full 85 metres. This was converted and Houghton had the lead 13-10.

Again Winlaton pressed and were denied another driven score by the referee being unsighted. Winlaton were then penalised on halfway and were moved back 10 yards for dissent, this gave the home side the chance to stretch their lead by another 3 points to 16-10. This created some much needed impetus for the home side and they were denied a score when the skipper not satisfied with his superb score earlier, managed to carve a way through again. He was tackled in the corner by Fleming but did ground the ball, the touch judge calling him in touch however created a fracas in the corner with several players disagreeing with the decision.

Winlaton then launched a series of attacks which were rebuffed by means fowl and fair but from a young home side their attitude and commitment was admirable. One such incident resulted in an injury for Winlaton hooker Gary Allison, who had to leave the field with a serious head injury requiring hospital treatment, he was replaced by Prop Les Cash with Skipper and Prop Scott Urwin moving to hooker.

With 20 mins remaining in the game Winlaton launched attack after attack, no 8 Clarkson scoring after several drives from the forwards but again the referee was unsighted and called a knock on. The intensity from both sides was very high and this produced several fracases. One such incident producing a penalty for Winlaton 5 metres out, a catch and drive was underway but Houghton were penalised for pulling the maul down. Choosing the same option, Winlaton were again denied for the same infringement, this time choosing a scrum the home side were under severe pressure and in danger from a pushover try, however the front rows collapsed and the referee awarded another penalty. Another scrum and another collapse resulted in a 5th penalty being awarded. The referee still declined to penalise the home side for their repeated offending, Winlaton chose the scrum again, this time the home pack after such a long sustained period of defence could offer no resistance and with Winlaton’s scrum marching to the line the home sides no 6 was allowed to kick the ball from the base of the scrum unpenalised and relieve the pressure. This was disputed hotly by Winlaton and when Nick Stevenson said to much he was yellow carded for dissent.

With only a few minutes remaining now, Winlaton managed to win the ball on halfway and Houghton were penalised, with little time left a kick to touch was chosen as a converted try was required to win the game. The lineout was 10 metres from the home line and during the resulting catch and drive the game came to an end, after several attempts from the home side to pull the maul down the referee ignoring the infringements penalised Winlaton when the forwards used their feet on the players who were under the advancing maul. This is no longer allowed these days and from the resulting penalty to touch the referee ended the game.

Final score Houghton 16-10 Winlaton Vulcans