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Merit League
| Match Report - RL Merit League |
| Saturday, 12 April 2008 - 14:00 |
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East Riding |
Sheffield Forgers |
38
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24
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| Starting Lineup |
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Full Back Wing Centre Stand Off Scrum Half Prop Hooker Second Row Loose Forward Substitutes |
| Substitutions |
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| Summary |
FORGERS Merit League coach David Hooper insisted there were lessons to be learnt after they crashed to defeat in their opening Merit League game of the season on Saturday.
Sheffield had enjoyed a 100% pre-season record up to this game, but were brought down with a bump when they met a tough Hull side.
The Forgers where missing key players for the trip to Hull but Hooper refused to use that as an excuse. “We just didn't’t turn up in the first half. We didn't’t do anything that we had spoke about before the match and defended poorly in places. We have been used to having things our own way for a long time but today we were given a lesson in rugby”.
Hull took an early lead after Forgers had given away a cheap penalty and switched off from the quick tap. “It wasn't’t an ideal start”, said Hooper “Our aim was to get a foot hole in the game and set a base to work from for the first 10-15 minutes. But when we conceded after just a few minutes we were always chasing the game.”
The Forgers were level 10 minutes later when Jon Hitchman crashed through from 15 metres out. Centre Tom Else added the extras.
For the remainder of the half good solid Hull running and weak Forgers defence allowed the home side to go in at the interval with a two try advantage.
“I wanted an improved performance second half” Hopper said, “We had to take control of the game and play it our way.”
The men from Sheffield began strong in the second half but conceded again. Forgers then took command and scored three unanswered tries, the stand out score from hooker Mark Bray after and intelligent scoot from dummy half.
After fighting their way back Hull struck twice late on to give then a 38-24 victory.
“This has taught us that we are not as invincible as we thought.” Hooper added, “I’m proud of the effort the lads put in but we just lacked a bit of direction on the pitch.”
The Forgers next game is at home to Wigan Riversiders in two weeks.
Star men: Jon Hitchman and Matt Lollar |
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