Griffin at the double for Old Grovians (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Griffin at the double for Old Grovians

4:28pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in Sport By Sports Desk

Old Grovians 38 Mosborough 6

Anthony Griffin scored two tries and set up another on a day when Old Grovians weren’t at their best but still managed to inflict the heaviest defeat of the season on Mosborough.

Griffin’s potential has never been in doubt but this season he’s matured into arguably the best centre in Yorkshire Four.

Against Mosborough, alongside Dominic Copsy, he forged a midfield barrier that the south Yorkshire side never looked like breaching. With ball in hand, he scythed through Mosborough’s defence like a knife through hot butter.

The ease with with which he accelerated through gaps, alligned with an awareness of the supporting runs around him gave the visitors a huge headache all afternoon and untilmately a problem to which they had no answer.

Yet it was Mosborough who looked the more threatening in the opening exchanges. Twice they broke away to create an overlap – twice the final pass went to ground and the opportunties were spurned.

When Old Grovians finally got into their stride, they were not so generous. Flanker Brad Williams wrestled away possession and when the ball was shipped wide, Griffin was on hand to break a tackle and touch down for the game’s opening try.

Old Grovians’ second score was something of a collector’s item and will have given their forwards a sense of satisfaction as they retained possession, sucking defenders into the breakdown area. On the sixth phase skipper, Chris Blackhall sniped around the ruck, showing the ball for a dummy which Mosborough’s defence reacted to and dived over the line.

His celebration more resembled a belly flop than a swan dive and at just two scores up might have been considered a little excessive but there was no denying the skill which created the opening.

A penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors their first points of the game and sent Old Grovians into the break with a 14-3 lead. A lead which was reduced to just eight points nine minutes into the second half with another successful Mosborough penalty.

Old Grovians repsonse was as incisive as it was quick. From the restart they won a penalty inside Mosborough’s 22. It was quickly taken - Anthony Cadman providing great support and showing quick hands to send Griffin over for his second try of the game.

For the fourth straight match, Cadman’s introduction in the 2nd period provided experience and gave direction to a young pack which was now taking control of the game.

Soon Old Grovians had their 4th try and the bonus point.

This time Griffin turned provider to put winger Joe Sowden in the clear and open up a 28-6 lead. Weaving’s penalty extended their advantage to 25 points before Dean Hogg marked his return to 1st team action with a well taken try four minutes from time.

Jack Baker was once again outstanding in the lineout and hoovered up any balls in the loose to give Old Grovians a constant point of attack.

However, his decision to attempt a chip kick late in the game when positioned just outside the Mosborough 22 might be one, which on reflection, he’ll reconsider when he finds himself in a similar position in the future.

On this occasion, finesse was not a word which came to mind as the ball thundered into the in-goal area and out of play, much to the amusement of many on the touchline!

It says much about the standards that have now been set at Old Grovians that the feeling was one of a job well done rather than any sense of euphoria.

The fact remains though, that 38 points is more than any other side have scored in a game against Mosborough this season and Old Grovians have now conceded just one try in their last 5 games.

It leaves them seven points clear of Old Otliensians with four matches remaining - a team they meet next week knowing victory will leave them just one win away from securing promotion.