MIRFIELD SPARTANS 4 GOOLE VIKINGS 58
CAM KIRK, Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Goole, Sunday

GOOLE scored eleven tries as they eased into the next stage, where they will visit Halifax.

Having switched the venue of the tie, Mirfield produced a brave display, but struggled to deal with the power of their opponents, who notched the highest score of their professional existence.

Scott Taylor’s team settled the contest early, powering into an 18-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes.

Cooper Howlett, Mackenzie Harman, Connor Barley and the impressive Nick Staveley all crossed as the Vikings’ physicality and tempo immediately stretched their opponents.

Strong winds kept the scoreboard respectful, with Jack Miller enduring a frustrating afternoon from the tee.

Shane Tuohey, lively throughout, was next to strike, dancing through close-range traffic as with Miller’s second goal, the lead was extended to 24-0.

Soon after a slick, free-flowing team move through multiple players was ended by a forward pass.

The scoreline was fair, but did little to reflect Mirfield’s attitude and spirit – with former Huddersfield Academy prop Spencer Peel the pick of their players.

The Spartans stuck to their task and earned their reward after a moment of individual brilliance from fullback Lewis Toner.

After slicing through and chipping ahead, he was initially denied by a professional foul from Barley, who was shown a yellow card.

From the penalty, quick hands sent Toner over wide out, sparking loud celebrations from the travelling support and trimming the deficit to 24-4 at half-time.

Any thoughts of a shock were extinguished in a devastating ten-minute spell at the start of the second half.

Despite being down to twelve men, the Vikings ran riot, and Staveley underlined his quality with a powerful 20-metre solo effort, improved by Miller.

Callum Shaw notched with a sharp finish on 45 minutes, and soon after that, Staveley charged through the middle to release Tuohey for his second, with Miller converting.

Mirfield refused to fold, holding Goole scoreless for 20 minutes and probing the line, before their resistance was broken by some dummy-half magic from hooker Oli Morgan, who sniped from 30 metres out with a lightning scoot to reassert control. Miller improved.

There was still time for local boy Ben Hodder to finish a crisp move to bring up the 50-point mark, Miller adding the two, before Keenen Tomlinson powered over from close range on the hooter for his first try in Goole colours. Miller again goaled.

For Mirfield, pride is more than intact after a wholehearted display, while it’s job done for Goole.

GAMESTAR: Former Super League backrower Nick Staveley was in fine form for Goole, scoring two tries and providing an assist.

GAMEBREAKER: Fast starts. The Vikings were quick out of the blocks at the beginning of both halves, and it was too much for the amateur side.

MATCHFACTS

SPARTANS
1 Lewis Toner
2 Dylan Waterworth
3 James Pickering
4 Lewis Boye
5 Logan Sykes
6 Kian Morgan
7 Brad Jones
8 James Wilcock
9 Josh Wilcock
10 Spencer Peel
11 Jordan Rice
12 Phil Shotton
13 Alfie Copley
Subs (all used)
14 Rob Jones
15 Zinzan Barden
16 Lewis Martin
16 Dan Lyazauli

Tries: Toner (39)
Goals: Waterworth 0/1

VIKINGS
20 Shane Tuohey
5 Callum Shaw
3 Cooper Howlett
4 Keenen Tomlinson
18 Connor Barley
6 Mackenzie Harman
7 Jack Miller
10 Jack Arnold
9 Will Jubb
30 Liam Watts
11 Brett Ferres
12 Nick Staveley
13 Harry Aldous
Subs (all used)
14 Oli Morgan
19 Ben Hodder
16 Harry Medlicott
23 Ben Dent

Tries: Howlett (5), Harman (8), Barley (14), Staveley (24, 42), Tuohey (28, 47), Shaw (45), Morgan (69), Hodder (78), Tomlinson (79)
Goals: Miller 7/11
Sin bin: Barley (38) – professional foul

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 14-0, 18-0, 24-0, 24-4; 30-4, 34-4, 40-4, 46-4, 52-4, 58-4

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Spartans: Spencer Peel; Vikings: Nick Staveley

Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 24-4
Referee: Jordan Hughes