Dodworth Miners vs Elland/Greetland Open Age 10/8/2024

Today, we saw our senior team play their penultimate game of the season against a tough Elland side. Dodworth started the game really slow and gifted Elland good field position by giving away numerous penalties in the first 10 mins, resulting in Elland going over the line for the first points of the game under the sticks which they duly added the extras. This seemed to spur Dodworth on, and they finally started putting some shape on and completing their sets. Kieran Hyde made a cracking pass and the magic man Joe Ashworth put some great foot work on and crossed over the line for Dodworths first try of the afternoon. Joe Perry missed the resulting conversation which meant Dodworth still trailed, but that didn't last for long as the miners started to get a real foot hold in the game taking the game to Elland some strong aggressive carrys and big defense from the home side meant that Harry Harvey would cross over to put the hosts infront for the first time in the game under the sticks. Joe Perry converted for the extra 2 points putting Dodworth 10 - 6 up.
It was long before Dodworth started asserting there dominance in the game with Dec French and Hyde linking the play up well and the forwards running hard gaining good meters enabling Dodworth to really start to turn the screw and Tom Hardwick which he's done for much of the season took the ball over the line for his first try of the game. Hyde who took over kicking duties from the injured Perry then dispatched the kick over the post from the touchline to extend the hosts lead. Elland then went over in the corner in a rare forage into the home sides half to pull the scores back to 16 - 10 with the away side missing the resulting conversion. What came after that was domination from the home side. Tom Hardwick went over again in the corner with good play from the wingers center young Harrison who looked very dangerous after been introduced at half time. Hyde didn't disappoint with the conversion adding the extras.
Dodworths 5 try of the game went to Dec French a cheeky little show and go left French 1 on 1 with the full back who he stepped passed to score under the sticks which capped a fantastic personal performance from the half back. Hyde slipped over the conversion to extend Dodworths lead. The try of the game went to Dodworths magic man Joe Ashworth but it was all through captain Adam Edwards hitting a great line busting through the defensive line and putting the ball on a plate for Ashworth to go over under the sticks for the fullbacks 2nd of the afternoon Hyde added the extras as Dodworth started going through the gears as Elland started tiring. The biggest cheer of the day came next as Scotty Edwards got in on the act after good work by Ashworth and Mannion down the right hand side Mannion feeding the winger to score under the sticks for Dodworths 7th try. Perry dispatched the conversion to make the score 40 - 10 with time running out and Dodworth in cruise control there was still time for Hardwick to round off his hatrick Hyde made an absolutely audacious pass through his legs to put Hardwick in for his hatrick try and Dodworths 8th try of the day. Perry was unfortunate and missed the conversion. The ref soon sounded the whistle for full time and Dodworth remaind well on course for the league leaders shield. With 1 game to go away against 2nd placed Bramley it's in Dodworths hands knowing that 1 point will win the league.

M.O.M went to the magic man Joe ashworth but he was run close by alot of good performances from the lads.