Sat 8 Feb 2020
To win the toss was always going to be an important factor with the ominous weather forecast of increasingly strong winds. Unfortunately, the gods were against us even before the kick-off! So, it was with the reasonably light wind at our backs and down the slight Ryton slope that Gos got the game underway. The lads certainly looked up for the challenge ahead as some strong early pressure saw a penalty 40 metres out awarded to us. The very cool Dan Slater was up to the task as he stroked over the three points after 5 minutes. This setback seemed to spur the home team on and a good passage of play for them resulted in a try to flanker, William Shipley. The conversion was missed (3-5) on 7 minutes. The game ebbed and flowed for the next twenty minutes before more, concerted pressure on the Ryton line resulted in a "Barnes Wallis" bouncing bomb pass being launched by lock, Andrew "CJ" Camplejohn, and it landed in the grateful hands of left-winger, Owen Ramsey, who crossed in the corner for an unconverted try on 27 minutes (8-5). More continued attacking play by Gos was again rewarded after a great, powerful break by centre, Josh Unthank, which looked to be a certain score before the Ryton full-back brought the run to an abrupt end with an illegally high tackle. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and a yellow card on 35 minutes (15-5). Once again Ryton worked their way up the field and a series of penalties took them to our 22. The resulting lineout saw the home team awarded a very debatable penalty as the game entered extra time. A quick take from the 15 metre line brought a try by the posts for centre, Jake Boyle, which was converted by Harry Johnstone, to leave the halftime score at a much closer 15-12.
So, it was an uphill task facing Gos as the wind, as forecast, increased. Again, the attitude was spot on and it was in the 48th minute that Ryton drew level with a Harry Johnstone penalty (15-15). Ryton used the wind well to assist their field position and, on the 56th minute, replacement, Fraser Adamson, crashed over to give Ryton the lead for the first time (15-20). Could Gos hold on for that merited bonus point? Again, unfortunately, the answer was "no", as Ryton kept up the attacking pressure for left-winger, Matthew Robson, to score their bonus point fourth try wideout (15-25). Showing great spirit, despite the loss of fly-half Oscar Simpson - the necessary re-arrangement of resources saw the pleasing appearence of Dom Manfredi after a season-long absence - Gosforth showed a lot of steel in a sound defence setup, which prevented any further Ryton score. Likewise, the adverse elements also prevented a Gos addition to the score. The final match result of 15-25 against certainly did not do justice to the endeavour shown by Gosforth, who once again got no League points to help our plight!
Next Saturday sees us back at Broadway West, when Whitby are the visitors. Hopefully the current storm will have abated and Gos can once again riise to the occasion and produce a much needed win.
PS A special mention goes to Jack Emmet, a babysitter extraordinaire. He entertained our two youngest supporters throughout the afternoon at Ryton. Well done, Jack!1
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