1XV (M)
Matches
Sat 17 Sep 2022  ·  Counties 1 Yorkshire
Wetherby RUFC
1XV (M)
Tries: C Yates (2), L Cox-RawnsleyConversions: C Yates (3)
21
20
Bradford Salem
Wetherby register first win in Yorkshire One

Wetherby register first win in Yorkshire One

Sean Lally19 Sep 2022 - 18:06
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It was to be a busy day at Grange Park with not only a Yorkshire 1 league clash against new rivals but The Wetherby Old Boys out in force for their annual get together.

Our President, Brian Aston led the events ably assisted on the day by an army of volunteers that ensured the pre-match beers and buffet all went smoothly.

A minutes silence was faultlessly respected to mark Queen Elizabeth II passing and it was game on! The match kicked off, under a patchwork of grey and white cumulus with the sun and blue sky finding a way through. The wind was northerly and relatively light.

Wetherby had a number of players missing, some to minor injury, others on a stag do which must surely be subject to court proceedings on the next tour. Stepping in, notably, was first team debutant Louis Cox-Rawnsley, a product of the junior rugby set up and seemingly ready to take on all-comers in what was to be a tough tie. And also Dan McCleary, again, a Wetherby stalwart despite his tender years. It was also pleasing to see Tom Thackeray back having been given training on how to use the ‘availability’ spreadsheet. Note to all, we can’t pick you if you don’t tell us you are available!

The match started positively for Wetherby with play being conducted primarily in the Bradford half by the maestro that is Atherton. A number of solid phases for the forwards led by Mason and Hoather provided space for the backs and with the first action of the day, Archie Youlden (not to be confused with his younger and more talented brother, Barney), took the ball in to contact only to end up, uncharacteristically, left on the ground in apparent agony. He was helped off the pitch and promptly lined up to head to the hospital.
With the backs shuffled around to accommodate Dixon, Wetherby remained camped in the Salem half and it didn’t take long for the agile and explosive pace of Yates to breach the Salem defence to score under the posts. The conversion was a gimme and Wetherby supporters, young and old cheered the 7-0 early scoreline.

Salem restarted and despite their best efforts, Wetherby looked the stronger and more agile team. But no team in Yorkshire 1 should be underestimated and Salem engineered a break on the half way line that evaded the fragmented Wetherby defensive line. Step up, McCleary who joined in the defensive footrace with our Captain, Hoather. Both players seemed to catch up the Salem centre at the same time despite Hoather’s head start, but such was the force of McCleary’s tackle that he also managed to wipe out Hoather in the process. He was to make many similar tackles in the next 80 minutes.

Normal service resumed for the next 10 with Wetherby in the Salem half despite often not having the ball. In a trademark tackle and jackle, Acland stepped in all arms and legs and ripped the ball from the prone Salem player and turned defence in to penalty approx. 40 m out. Yates took a look at the flags billowing south towards the posts and took a punt at a penalty which unfortunately fell just short.

Wetherby were still dominant and with some great work in the far corner from the forwards, somehow Cox-Rawnsley broke through the defence and grounded the ball proficiently for try No 2. Yates adds the conversion to bring the score to 14-0.
Salem kicked off and Reid pulled off a tricky catch and carry. Supported by the forwards, Wetherby again enter the Salem half and having spotted Jake Little (again not to be confused by his younger and more talented brother, Sam), ready to pounce like a caged tiger, Dixon puts a lovely kick through that Little runs on to. A melee ensues on the ground only to leave Little (literally) in bits holding what looked like a dislocated shoulder. More shuffling of the team required with Thakeray joining the fray and still 60 minutes to go.

Little heads off to hospital with Youlden who had fortunately waited for him. What was encouraging to see was that Mr & Mrs Little and club legend Mike Youlden deciding to stay and watch the remainder of the game and not take their offspring to hospital.

Salem grew in to the game and seemed to shake off their travel lag putting consistent pressure on the Wetherby defence. And with Wetherby struggling to get their rhythm back after 2 bad injuries, Salem score with a try under the posts for a 14-5 scoreline. And to add further points, Wetherby conceded a penalty 30m out that was dispatched by the Salem 10. 14-8.

The game was now more evenly balanced with the ball to and fro in either half, but hard work over a number of phases again set up a great kick by B Youlden to the far corner that Little (S) ran on to and who was seemingly odds on to gather the ball for a try. Yet he appeared to be held back by the Salem defender. Despite appeals from the crowd there was nothing given which left us wondering if Geoff had managed to get the VEO working properly we might have been able to go back to the video ref. “It’s recorded but I just don’t know where to”…Maybe next week eh Geoff?

With a number of hits given and taken, Reid took a well earned rest and Shawsy entered the field of play to exert his authority. He immediately makes an impact and despite his glasslike shoulder he made a massive hit on an advancing Salem back which should have seen some Wetherby benefit. Yet Wetherby are penalised for not rolling away and the pacey restart from Salem, apparently behind the refs back, left Salem an almost free run in to the 22 and with some tidy passing play, score to the left of the posts. 14-15 – the pressure was on.
Salem could smell blood and piled on the pressure with resolute and consistent tackling by Jonny Day, supported by Atherton who made the critical try saving tackle. Another score by Salem at that point and it may well have been game over.

This match report wouldn’t be complete without a big mention to our big pack, who dominated the Salem forwards, particularly in the 2nd half. And at some stages the crowd were left wondering what the home side had to do to get a penalty try.

Wetherby come under sustained attack in their 22 but with resolute defending by the forwards they gained the penalty. A somewhat sliced clearance didn’t gain the ground we’d hope and despite winning the lineout Wetherby are then having to play out from their own 22 with ball in hand. However they were fortunate that Salem didn’t hold their discipline and Wetherby were the beneficiaries of a penalty. Despite a solid clearance the ball ends up back in the Salem attack and a cultured kick through sees their 14 running on to the ball and scoring their 3rd try of the day. 14-20.

The ever-youthful Gibson and Greenwood were instrumental in the lineouts with a great steal due to a poor throw-in and Wetherby form yet another rolling maul which gets a duly deserved penalty. No benefit directly comes from it but B. Youlden, using his inherited rugby savvy, spots a gap behind defence and telepathically instructs Yates to run on to it, which he duly does and scores a much needed try.

With the conversion successful, Wetherby now hold a slender 1 point lead 21-20.
And with 10 minutes to go it was going to be a battle of who wants it more. Wetherby throw everything at defence with Salem appearing to be setting up for a penalty in front of the Wetheby posts but Weth weren’t to be drawn. They managed to hold out and the whistle was blown with nearly all 30 players in the Wetherby 22.

Overall it was a game of fine margins as have all of the matches in Yorkshire 1 so far and with Wetherby taking their first win of the season it was back in to the club house to celebrate the occasion appropriately with Man of the Match, of course, being handed to Charlie Yates.

Match details

Match date

Sat 17 Sep 2022

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Counties 1 Yorkshire

League position

9
Bradford Salem
10
Wetherby
Team overview
Further reading