Glossop...30 Grimsby...0
After a couple of weeks free of league duties for Glossop 1XV they resumed with a convincing win over strugglers Grimsby. With the pitch already sodden from the weeks rain, further downpours during the game reduced the field to full quagmire status, not conducive to open rugby. Andrew Horbatchewskij opened the scoring for Glossop as he accelerated into space and left Grimsby’s backline in his wake, his conversion put the home side into a 7-0 lead.
The worsening conditions thwarted Glossop’s next effort; Pickerel sett off on a mazy run and found Harrison with a lobbed pass, the winger had a clear run in, but he failed to control the slippery ball. The opportunities to score were mounting for Glossop and twice the final pass went astray, so captain Brammer opted for the points as Grimsby conceded a penalty, 10-0.
Standing still at half time, with a biting wind now blowing across the field, Glossops players were eager to get on with the second half and put the game to bed. They came out of traps quickly and forced Grimsby to knock on from the kick off. The ensuing scrum saw Glossop gain further yardage. A quick line out was gathered in by Wilkinson, the rolling maul functioned perfectly and Dave Shirt drove over the line, 15-0. The same tactic worked again for Glossop five minutes later, this time it was Wilkinson who squirmed through the tacklers to bundle over, 20-0. Eighteen year old Jonny Tennant had the opportunity to round off an outstanding full debut for the first team but his footballing skills were slightly off as he dribbled up field only to kick the ball dead at the last minute. Clark tried to show the scrum half how it was done, kicking the ball through, only to knock on over the line. With both teams tiring Gareth Williams came on for Glossop, sporting a pair of lycra tights! His first contribution was to burst onto a well worked move off the back of the scrum, he crossed the try line and was held up. From the following five metre scrum Glossop drove their Grimsby counterparts backwards and Clark made up for his earlier miss to add a further try, 25-0. Glossop had all but won the game and Stanford confirmed the win with a nicely finished effort, dummying three players and ghosting in untouched, 30-0.
The final ten minutes of long second half proved Grimsby’s spirit as they fought hard to get on the scoreboard. Stern defensive play from the likes of Thompson, Shirt, Taylor and Trinnick held the seasiders at bay down the fringes. The away side were unlucky not to score in the last play of the game, as substitute Dave Haigh scrambled the ball clear averting a certain try. Windswept coaches Ibberson and Waters congratulated the lads on a good win in appalling conditions.