Durham & Northumberland Div 3

Guisborough 8
Whitby Maroons 11

Steve Allen capped a fine personnel performance to seal victory for Whitby, putting a 40 yard penalty through the centre of the posts in the last 5 minutes of the game, to hand them the game in a hard but ultimately deserved victory over local rivals Guisborough.

Demoted last season to Whitby’s league, Guisborough were looking to bounce back immediately which meant a tough game was always likely to be in-store. Whitby welcomed back skipper Quinn from his trip to the Canadian wilderness, and although missing last week’s man of the match Dave Straker, were strengthened by the return of experienced Tim Richardson in the centre and Kevin Purvis in the 2nd row.

With Whitby starting against the elements, both terms looked to gain an early advantage. The pick up and drive game Guisborough employed was matched by the defensive tackling of the whole Whitby side whilst equally Whitby’s more expansive game could not quite make the break through against a big set of Guisborough backs.

The referee, who had a good game throughout, kept a tight but fair control, and it was as a result of a Whitby indiscretion which lead to the first score. Illegally stopping Guisborough’s attack saw scrum-half Phil Stentiford in the sin bin, and it was this extra numerical superiority which gave Guisborough the chance to increase the pressure which eventually saw their full-back cross in the corner for an unconverted try.

The remainder of the half was evenly contested, although Guisborough winger ruined a good scoring chance when he tried to do his best Colin Jackson impression by hurdling Whitby’s full-back Oliver Roberts, an illegal move in rugby which should have resulted in time in the sin bin. Turning round with the wind at their backs, Whitby were confident they could turn around the 5-0 deficit, keeping the ball in the Guisborough half with a fine kicking display from both half-backs. Good pressure resulted first in an initial penalty which saw Allen reduce the gap to 2 points before a vital break midway through the half saw the game swing Whitby’s way.

Good work by the pack saw Guisborough concede a further penalty, a drive forward creating quick ball which the backs used to perfection. Slight of hand saw a well timed pass to Roberts, the full back showing a return to form, breaking the defense and rounding his opposite number to score in the corner, which went unconverted but gave the lead to Whitby 8-5.

The final 10 minutes saw Guisborough desperate to claw their way back into the game, which they seemed to have done when a controversial penalty saw them draw level. However Whitby, to a man, were determined not to be out done and stormed back up the field to create a final penalty, allowing Steve Allen to step up to the plate and with a perfectly struck kick seal the game.


Match Sponsor - Astins Estate Agents.