2XV
Matches
Sat 22 Jan 2022
Wetherby RUFC
2XV
Tries: J Gibson, S Whitelow, R De Gruchy, O Hills (2)Conversions: A Youlden (4)
33
24
North Ribblesdale 2
Wetherby grind out win against North Ribb 2s

Wetherby grind out win against North Ribb 2s

Sean Lally25 Jan 2022 - 07:39
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The Kitchens are shining as the second team show character in a gutsy win.

A double header at home, a raucous crowd in at Grange Park and Tom Oranges’ Mrs in attendance, what a time for the second team players to make a big statement. The second team came into this game smoking hot off the back of two January wins against Ripon and Leeds Medics. Visionary Head coach Marcus Little was looking to remain undefeated against a hungry North Ribblesdale team.

From the get-go a third successive win looked ominous, James Gibson scored a dazzling try to open the account and it didn’t stop there, Wetherby piled on the punishment within ten minutes with huge turn overs from Henry Acland. Shortly thereafter Rhys De Gruchy added a second, that man just loves playing in the centres though he will tell you otherwise.

However, a fearless North Ribblesdale team came roaring back favouring power in the forwards over precision and they soon got one of their own back on Wetherby. Sean Whitelow then threw an audacious offload out of the back under no pressure falling straight into the lap of a full pace North Ribblesdale number 8, he couldn’t of hit him in stride any better. The blues then added a second try from the winger after a poor Wetherby clearance, somehow didn't make touch.

Just as North Ribb looked to be mounting an astonishing comeback, Whitelow had revenge. When they talk about sporting comebacks they mention Tiger Woods at Augusta, Ben Stokes at Headingley and even Average Joe's vs Global Gym, but none of them compared to the in-game comeback from Whitelow. A line break from Mo Beeson looked to be a sure try, but he didn’t have the wheels. Instead Beeson opted to an offload to a swan like Whitelow gliding through the pitch and touching it down for a third Wetherby score.

Half Time 19-12

Wetherby came out in the second half with a much-changed side. Tom Orange ventured onto the pitch and his Girlfriend in attendance. with the concussed Oscar Maun on the side-line next her, he had to impress. On a side note, Oscar Maun is expected to return next week the flanker has been out of action on the pitch for the last two weeks, but defiantly not off it.

The red and white army soon entered the opposition half and a mesmerising assist from the Man of the Match Tom Kitching, saw Olly Hills score his first try of the game. The next 20 minutes once again saw North Ribblesdale dominance, the forward game was punishing the Wetherby defence that had previously only conceded 1 try in 4 games. North Ribblesdale narrowed the gap to 4 and Wetherby needed a moment of magic to win it.

Enter Archie Youlden and Olly Hills. There had been talk before the game in the local news about the younger Youlden brother, Barney; the papers labelling him as the man to step into Mike Youlden’s shoes, even some going as far as calling him the ‘better looking brother’. Well Archie, the older Youlden brother, proved doubters wrong in the dying moments of the game. A huge scrum from Lally and Kitching in the Wetherby half saw Dixon give an early ball to the dangerous Youlden, with only Hills on his shoulder the options looked slim. But then magic, a dummy from Youlden followed by a beautifully placed grubber saw Olly Hills chasing the winning try. Some would say a slightly lucky knee from Hills, others including myself, would say pure skill saw the ball bounce onto the try line and touched down by Hills for a Gutsy Wetherby win.

Man of the Match: Tom Kitching
Dick of the Day: Sean Whitelow

Match report by Oliver Hills.

Match details

Match date

Sat 22 Jan 2022

Kickoff

14:15
Team overview
Further reading