GOOLE VIKINGS 56 WHITEHAVEN 6
JORDAN WEIR, Millennium Stadium, Featherstone, Sunday
BRETT FERRES celebrated his 450th career appearance with his Goole side in scintillating form, running in eleven tries against a hapless Whitehaven side who ended the contest with only one fit substitute, with the Cumbrians counting the costs of injuries heading into a crucial West Cumbrian derby next time out.
The match was over as a contest at the end of the opening quarter, which saw the Vikings playing at their temporary home ground in Featherstone blowing away a Whitehaven side who were well below par.
The first try saw a common theme start to develop when Neil Tchamambe planted himself on opposite number Mitchell Todd following a Mackenzie Harman kick towards the corner. The towering height of the winger was too much for Todd to handle and he grounded the ball for his first of the afternoon. Reece Dean failed to add the goal.
Another penalty allowed the Vikings up the field and this time Dan Abram was controversially penalised for a ball steal. From the resulting set Josh Guzdek got one of many assists of the afternoon as he found Ben Hodder with an over-the-top ball for the winger to ground in the corner. Dean converted from the touchline. Minns added the third in the opening quarter of an hour before Brett Ferres grabbed a further four-pointer minutes later.
The fifth try saw Tchamambe backing up on the end of Minns’ break. The former Hull KR winger matched Minns stride for stride before receiving the ball from the centre to glide in and ground the ball under the sticks.
The contest became more even but the visitors remained devoid of attacking ideas and were forced to constantly bring the ball out of their red zone area set after set.
Guzdek grabbed a well-deserved try before the half time hooter to put 30 points between the sides.
The second half got off to a better start for the Cumbrians as they graced the scoresheet, taking advantage of a rare error from the home side. Fullback Jay Weatherill kicked behind, surprising the Vikings’ defence and an attempted clearance from Reece Dean turned into an air shot and the ball bounced kindly for the Haven man. The on-loan Dan Abram converted but that was as good as it got for the visitors.
Another duo of back-to-back tries saw Goole once again extend their advantage. Ben Hodder grabbed his second and then third of the afternoon with the latter seeing a delightful pass from Guzdek to allow a walk-in try with no one in Haven colours near the winger.
An incident was put on report before kick off with Whitehaven’s Daniel Spencer-Tonks accusing a Goole player of an alleged “squirrel grab”.
The incident didn’t slow the Vikings’ momentum as they scored three tries in the final thirteen minutes.
Tchamambe completed his hat-trick off a Minns break. The winger received the ball and skilfully deceived Jay Weatherill to secure his third of the match. And the final two tries went to Minns for his hat-trick and Ferres attempted the final two conversions, landing the final one to top off an outstanding afternoon for the Vikings.
GAMESTAR: Josh Guzdek was heavily involved with ball in hand and provided a number of assists as well as scoring himself.
GAMEBREAKER: Thomas Minns’ try in the 13th minute was his side’s third of the afternoon and ended the game as a contest.
MATCHFACTS
VIKINGS
3 Josh Guzdek
23 Ben Hodder
37 Jason Tali
4 Thomas Minns
28 Neil Tchamambe
6 Mackenzie Harman
7 Reece Dean
17 Jack Coventry
25 Ryan Wright
18 Tyler Craig
11 Brett Ferres
14 Misi Taulapapa
16 Harry Aldous
Subs (all used)
10 Jack Aldous
21 Ben Dent
20 Andy Ellis
15 Alex Holdstock
Tries: Tchamambe (4, 19, 67), Hodder (9, 53, 57), Minns (15, 73, 79), Ferres (17), Guzdek (35)
Goals: Dean 5/9, Ferres 1/2
WHITEHAVEN
5 Jay Weatherill
2 Mitchell Todd
3 Chris Taylor
4 Ethan Bickerdike
17 Joe Hartley
7 Jack Newbegin
6 Dan Abram
32 Daniel Spencer-Tonks
9 Ellison Holgate
10 Jordan Thomson
11 Connor Holliday
19 Rio McQuistan
13 Jack Kellett
Subs (all used)
14 Luke Collins
18 Aaron Turnbull
16 Brad Brennan
15 Mason Lewthwaite
Tries: Weatherill (46)
Goals: Abram 1/1
SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 14-0, 18-0, 24-0, 30-0; 30-6, 34-6, 40-6, 46-6, 50-6, 56-6
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of The Match
Vikings: Josh Guzdek; Whitehaven: Ellison Holgate
Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 30-0
Referee: Luke Bland