Glossop make home advantage count
With Glossop’s 1st XV playing their games in the Midlands division of the RFU structure, it means away games in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire severely affect any hope of consistency. Therefore home games will in large part have to supply Glossop with consistent victories.
Lincoln were the visitors to Hargate Hill on Saturday and they were to prove tough opposition. The game started brightly for Glossop, with the pack producing fast effective ruck ball, but it was met by an organised Lincoln rearguard. Penalties were dispatched by both sides and the game was level at 3-3.
Glossop were providing decent ball off the lineout with debutante Dan Clark taking cleanly at no.2. This was used by centres Pickerell and Chenery to probe for any weaknesses in the Lincoln defence. The line was broken on a number of occasions but no further score could be made.
After halftime Lincoln stepped up their efforts and managed to stretch Glossop’s backs with a number of well worked counter attacks, offloading the ball in the tackle very well. Wingers Cassell and Harrison managed to keep Lincoln at bay with good one-on-one tackles. Glossop were by no means on the backfoot, and with good fringe running no.8 Trinnick broke the gain line on numerous occasions. Glossop’s momentum was rewarded when Horbatchewski kicked a further penalty to put Glossop in the lead, 6-3. Lincoln responded by scoring a well worked try out wide, with their winger slotting the conversion, 6-10. Glossop were staring down the barrel of another defeat.
Losing was not an option, Glossop quickly went in the offensive with a pace and purpose that saw Pickerell dive over in the corner after a quick handling move through the backline. With a missed conversion, Glossop were holding onto a slender one point lead, 11-10. Lincoln again came back and scored another penalty taking the score to 11-13. Ten minutes were left and the determination to score again was etched on the faces of the Glossop players. Again Glossop managed to put together phase after phase of play, substitute Furnace made a good break tight on the touchline and Glossop found themselves on the Lincoln line, an infringement saw Glossop get the penalty and before Lincoln had time to set their defence stand in skipper Pickerell rounded off a good individual display by dancing over the try line. The conversion was made and Glossop only had to see out the last five minutes of play.
Also playing at home the 3rd XV put in an impressive display against Sedgley Park fourths, running out 53-0 winners, taking them to 4th in the table.