As we enter the business end of the season, Wetherby are aware that without a continuation of their good results, the season has produced no silverware as yet. This could be all but changed with victory over Saturday's opponents Thorne. The proverbial Thorne in Wetherby's side came close in the return fixture and brought a strong contingent with them as they bayed for blood.

The game started with a Thorne kick off deep into Wetherby territory and Wetherby cleared their lines well. Thorne continued to pile on the pressure in the early phases and as usual Wetherby started poorly. A line-out ten meters from the line saw a neat move from the Thorne danger man at number 8. His quick hands set free the hooker as the visiting side took the lead early on. 0-5.

After the usual mutters of "we always start badly", Wetherby responded well. The powerful warthog Rob Adair exposed weak defence from Thorne by running at the branches rather than the trunks as he powered over for an impressive first try. This feat of magic was only to be outdone by his miracle appearance with his girlfriend late on Saturday night. Well played sir. 7-5.

Wetherby were organised in defence without being at their punishing best and were reliant on Thorne mistakes. Human missile Mattie Chappel made life difficult for Wetherby by continually belly flopping into the side of rucks to give away penalties. However as soon as Wetherby got any field position, Thorne conceded a kickable penalty and Conor Sheridan duly obliged. 10-5.

Thorne hit back by playing to their strength in the driving maul. Having got no change from sending the ball wider of the 12 channel they pressed on I. The forwards and gained enough momentum to surge over the line and level the scores. 10-10.

Thorne's ill-discipline once again worked in Wetherby's favour as a tip tackle on George Gilbert gave Wetherby the opportunity for three more after the Thorne kicker had missed his third kick of the day at the other end. Again Sheridan obliged and Danny Warden's men kept their noses in front. Ironic. 13-10.

In a bitty end to the half neither team managed to gain any momentum and an exchange of penalties saw Wetherby go in at the break three points ahead. This nearly changed when the clock went dead for half-time as Harry Kaye took a brain-dead quick penalty. He ran towards the Thorne pack, got scared, shanked his kick and almost allowed the Thorne winger in for a try. Must be his brother's bad influence on him! Half time: Wetherby 16-13 Thorne.

Thorne again came out of the traps quicker in the second half and made ground with every carry as Wetherby failed to get any line speed. Despite strong tackles in midfield from Myleypoo and Albino Itoje James Greenwood, Thorne forced their way over the line for a converted try to take the lead again! 16-20.

As Thorne had their tails up they pressed again but the introduction of Tom Edwards brought new life into the Wetherby pack. Taz of Tasmania forced a turnover with a big tackle and the ball was shipped wide to Jack Kaye. Thankfully Jack has learnt that he is the worst finisher at the club and set Myles Oates free to drag his enormous forehead over the line to score. Conversion missed. 21-20.

Unlike most sides Wetherby have faced this year, Thorne did not fade after 60 minutes and in fact pressed harder than ever. They were rewarded for their efforts as they gained another penalty. I can't remember exactly what for but I can only assume it had something to do with Mattie Chappel again. He's like that annoying PE teacher who used to try and even the game up to make sure it was fair. Anyway, Thorne scored the kick. 21-23. 15 minutes to go.

The week preceding this game was filled with the talk of game plans and structures, tactics and objectives. Despite all of this, when the going got tough Wetherby reverted to the best game plan of all. Give the ball to Conor.
Following a burst down the left from the effeminate, flirtatious tight-head prop Bradley Mason, the ball was recycled again. Conor saw a gap and darted under the posts much to the delight of his adoring fan club on the sidelines. There's one for the sponsors! 23-28.

Wetherby defended their lead hard right to the final whistle and came out deserved winners of a tough encounter. Victory all but ensures they will be promoted as champions, and next week they will look to conquer Buxton in the National Cup semi-final.

MoM - Rob Adair. Forget rugby for a second. When we left Wetherby at 9.30 for York, we thought we were losing one of our bravest soldiers to the entwines of his girlfriend's little finger. Imagine the elation when he was seen on Kuda's dance floor at 2am, girlfriend in tow. Commendable effort sir!

DoD - if his brain fart before half-time wasn't enough, Harry Kaye discovered his old pea heart when he left the field with mud in his eyes after 50 minutes.