Full Strength Wetherby Too Strong For Rish

Another absolutely beautiful day at Grange Park but with temperatures 15 degrees colder than 2 weeks ago the Wetherby supporters were well wrapped up and looking forward to a great game. The pitches were looking arguably as well as they ever have and the installation of the new barriers in the stands allowed the alickadoos somewhere to lean and rest their pints!

Wetherby’s preparation for this match had been meticulous by Coach Woodworth and even Brad managed to turn up almost on time. With a number of players returning from other priorities, Gilbert – hairdo, Day – puppy viewing, Adair – general dereliction of duty, the 1st team was looking almost as strong as the seconds. Competition for places is going to be interesting for the remainder of the season!

But Rish weren’t here just for our entertainment and despite a good start from Wetherby, Rish were on the front foot with the early possession. As they pressed hard in the Wetherby half the home team put in to practice the hard work they have done off the pitch in defence and after no less than 7 minutes of defensive work without a penalty conceded (noted by the referee), Harry Kaye gained the turn over and Wetherby progressed rapidly up the pitch. With Rish is disarray, Wetherby won the scrum and a lively Jake Little (this weeks program cover-boy (biceps slightly smaller than his brothers)) took advantage of the gaps in the Rish defence to score the first try.

Harry Kaye converts – 7-0

The nature of the try gave Wetherby confidence and at the same time seemed to have disheartened the Rish players. So who else could take maximum benefit from this than Scurr who tiptoed through the entire forward line for Rish and delicately offloaded to Jack Kaye to trot in an easy try. Comments from the crowd included “He’s got slower that lad!”.

12-0

It’s fair to say that the Wetherby forwards are some of the most feared in the league and with the ‘irresistible’ Bryn Kitchin, Featured Player, in at prop, it’s no surprise. When he’s not playing in the red and white hoops he’s strolling or walking on beaches or hills and his unexpected breakthrough of the Rish defence left him on somewhat of a stroll as no one appeared to want to tackle him. He looked over shoulder, left and right, for for some supporting runners but with none to be found he smashed through a few tackles and set up another try that Gilbert secured.

19-0

In his second home game, Toby Redman was looking sharp. Fast to every breakdown and firing the ball out to the backs to set up a variety of attacks. But he was clearly seeing gaps open up and sniped round the side of a scrum to get one of his own but was to be thwarted just short of the line. However the opportunity wasn’t wasted and Gilbert eventually took the opportunity.

24-0

Conversion missed from the sidelines as the ball bounced back off the post. Ian Arundel was heard to say “Don’t worry Harry, if you get the next one I’ll buy you a pint”.

Wetherby seemed dominant in all areas particularly the lineout this week that hasn’t been their strongest part of the game in recent weeks. With Hoather’s pinpoint accuracy and orchestrated jumps from Ward, Acland and Gilbert at the back, Wetherby went on to win every lineout of their own and the vast majority of Old Rish’s! There will definitely be healthy competition for places when regulars like Reid attempt to return to 1st team contention.

And from another of the successful lineouts Little scores his 2nd of the match with the conversion from Harry Kaye.

31-0 (Note to Ian – pint owed to Mr H Kaye!)

Soon after Rish were reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card and Little again took advantage of some gaping holes in the Rish defence to stretch his legs and dot down for his 3rd.

38-0

Half time saw the introduction of Day and Mason, 2 players that on any day can change games and they duly obliged with some cracking forwards play delivering a walkover try for Gilbert. Day was as vocal as ever and with his new puppy looking on from the sidelines, he frequently looked like a young canine, eager to please and running all over the park!

45-0.

The evergreen Jim Greenwood was then brought on for Blakey, the newly appointed Director of Hospitality at Sale Sharks (congrats Will), and got stuck in to pretty much every ruck and maul he could see. Beeson who had been looking lively all afternoon got on the end of a pass from Kaye and broke through the Rish defence only to be thwarted by the Rish full back.

With the game heading towards a lacklustre finish, despite the score, Rish were given a little bit too much space out wide and in credit to them, pulled back a couple of tries in the final 10 minutes.

Final score 45-12.

Captain Oates delivered a resounding post match speech with Gilbert securing yet another Man of the Match award and Adair yet another Dick of the Day. Wales got knocked out of the World Cup and all was well in the world…

On to Bradford & Bingley next Saturday with what looks like almost a full squad available to choose from.