Match Report – LRGS 1st XV vs QEQS Wakefield 1st XV

A fired up Lancaster side started the game intensely, putting Wakefield immediately under pressure. 10 minutes of possession in the opposition territory saw Tom Deakin’s crossfield kick find Damon Hall who finished the move successfully in the corner to put Lancaster 5-0 ahead. The match restarted and again Lancaster put the ball through the phases and managed to gain a penalty under the posts on the oppositions 22. Damon Hall stepped up to the mark and cleanly slotted the penalty goal. Lancaster 8-0 ahead.

Wakefield woke up and from two soft penalties found themselves in Lancaster’s 22 where after clean lineout ball, some strong forward play resulted in a try which was well converted to bring them back into the game.

Again indiscipline seemed to be Lancaster’s Achilles heel and two penalties quickly followed for Wakefield putting them ahead for the first time in the match. Lancaster 8-13 Wakefield.

Wakefield continued to pressurise Lancaster upfront but were held out until half time by some typical brave defence from Lancaster. For 5 minutes Wakefield camped on Lancaster’s 5m line until eventually they were penalised for holding on and Tom Deakin cleared Lancaster’s lines.

After half time, Lancaster regained the upper hand and after some quick ball and a few phases, Rob Kingston put Sam Moorby through a gap to score under the posts to level the scores. Tom Deakin added two more points with a successful conversion to put Lancaster ahead once more. Lancaster 15-13 Wakefield

Both sides continued to scrap for the ball but eventually Wakefield gained a penalty which was converted from 45m out putting Wakefield back in the lead. Lancaster 15-16 Wakefield.

Again both sides worked hard to win the ball from the kick off and Lancaster immediately began to put pressure on the Wakefield team who were forced to clear their lines. Some indecision in the back 3 led to a quick turnover and break away try increasing Wakefield’s lead. Lancaster 15-21 Wakefield.

Lancaster kept their heads up, and a spirited effort saw Tom Deakin, after a few phases in Wakefield’s half, glide through the channel between 10 and 12 to score for Lancaster, putting them a single point behind Wakefield.

The pressure was on. Wakefield attempted a charge down but were shouting as Deakin missed the conversion. Justly so the referee called for the conversion to be re-taken and, under immense pressure second time around, Deakin successfully kicked putting Lancaster ahead in the dying minutes.

The game was all but finished when a dubious penalty was awarded to Wakefield on the 50m line. Although the kicker had converted a kick from a similar position earlier in the half, he failed to score the vital 3 points for Wakefield in the last play. Lancaster left Yorkshire with a great win under their belt.

Photos from recent games against (i) Clermont Auverne, and (ii) & (iii) v Crossley Heath.