After a tough loss last week, Wetherby travelled to Roundhegians to try and turn around their fortunes. Despite captain mid-life crisis Danny Warden attempting to barbecue his breakfast, the morning before the game was littered with heavy rain spells. After two close encounters last season, all factors pointed towards an interesting match.

Wetherby kicked off the game and were met with a clean exit strategy from an organised Roundhegians team. A couple of silly penalties from the red and whites allowed hegians to form a platform in the Wetherby 22. Despite Wetherby hanging onto their tackles, the offload and support play proved enough for Wetherby to run out of defenders as the home teams winger opened the scoring. 7-0.

Wetherby found themselves two tries down within fifteen minutes. Cheap penalties around the breakdown were giving hegians easy ball. Paul Minns in particular fell foul of the new laws, but collectively there were too many errors in the build up to hegians' second try. 14-0.

Wetherby seem to play their best rugby when they fall behind, and finally started to focus. Scott Wallis and Bradley Mason were their usual fierce force at the scrum, and the line-out overcame early wobbles to become a solid restart. Myles Oates was so confident in our line-out that he decided to change during one. Unfortunately it was only his clothing, not his personality.

Wetherby were settling into the game with AJ Hills carrying well - a feat he repeated when bringing over his £50 round of VKs. Matthew Bartle also grew into the game like a tonic bottle growing into a pint glass! The improved intensity allowed Wetherby to gain possession in the opposition half for the first time in the match. A high tackle led to a penalty in front of the posts. 14-3.

Scrum dominance formed the backbone of Wetherby's first try. A hack through from tree hugger Harry Kaye forced Roundhegians to concede a five metre scrum. The front five did the damage and in a familiar fashion, only for Jonny Day to take the plaudits as he dropped on the ball over the line. 14-10.

Wetherby pushed hard for another try before half time, and probed through wingers Tom Spence and Chris Atkinson. Unfortunately all of our chances were being murdered by colonel mustard and his cronies in the Roundhegians 22. Jack Kaye proved from full-back but the only thing he was able to run through was a neighbours fence at 6am after Harrogate.

Half-time: Roundhegians 14-10 Wetherby

The second half started much as the first had ended. Wetherby continued to pile pressure onto Roundhegians. Tom Bottomley and Steve Hoather led the carrying and broke Wetherby into the hegians 22 again. Jonny Day spotted a gap at the side of a ruck and used his incredible tenacity to fight his way over the line for a wonderful finish. 14-15.

The last twenty minutes played out as almost a carbon copy of the week before, as Wetherby stopped playing to their game plan. The Roundhegians fly-half pinned Wetherby back and every time the ball was turned over, Wetherby exited very poorly with Graham Bulmer in particular showing an abject lack of kicking ability.

A solid defensive effort by Wetherby managed to close out any potential attacks from the home side, and with all scrums now coming back on the red and white side, there was ample opportunity to relieve the pressure. Finally the endless defensive effort resulted in a penalty to Roundhegians, to give them the lead. 17-15.

Roundhegians continued to press the Wetherby defences but there were some admirable performances. Mattie Chappel powered into rucks like they were baby monitors, while Alex Dus was uncharacteristically dominant in the midfield - putting in one of his best performances for a couple of seasons. The addition of young colt Rhys Thompson added great energy to a group of tiring forwards. Rhys and his twin brother Ben have been stand out performers in training, and fortunately for us only Ben is employable enough to have a Saturday

Wetherby stayed in the game through guts and determination, and gave themselves one last opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. A great break from Myles and Jack got Wetherby into an attacking area, and were extremely unlucky not to be awarded a penalty right in front of the posts. The ball squirted out, and once again Wetherby tried to chance their hand too much and spilled the ball.

Full time: Roundhegians 17-15 Wetherby

Another cracking game between two evenly matched sides, but Wetherby have to become more clinical. Next week Wetherby host Yarnbury, before welcoming people to their Curryoke night from 7.30pm in the clubhouse.

MoM: Rhys Thompson - Fantastic competitive debut full of energy.

DoD: Graham Bulmer - Perfect tactical kicking performance. If he played for Roundhegians, which he does not.