The ground conditions were right for playing running rugby and Wetherby used them to good effect. The earlier season game with York RI had been a high scoring game, Wetherby running out 40 – 35 point winners but this time only Wetherby were the high scorers.

The gave notice of their pace and skill as early as the 4th minute when Andy Trotman raced from halfway to score a converted try. It was another 15 minutes before they doubled their score. The Reds ran a clearance kick back at York and good handling put Will Jefferson away who intelligently put the ball back inside to Connor Sheridan for a try which Alex Dus converted. The York forwards were more workmanlike in the next 10 minutes, their driving mauls overcoming a stout Wetherby defence and after sustained pressure they forced their way over wide out for a converted try.

Once Wetherby got their hands on the ball they looked dangerous and they scored 3 tries in the last few minutes before half time. First a well worked backs move from a Wetherby scrum allowed Conor Sheridan to break through who handed on to Andy Trotman for another converted try. Sheridan was again prominent leaving the defence for dead with his pace and a dummy to score. Then Paul Martinski showed his blistering pace running fully 60 meters down the touchline to score.

So it was 31 – 7 at half time after which York changed their tactics by not kicking the ball to Wetherby’s speedy backs. So the Red’s forwards had to provide attacking ball and it was Bradley Mason who made the next try when he surged through and handed on to the supporting Connor Sheridan for his hat trick of tries Alex Dus obliged with another of his 6 conversions in the game. The final 2 tries were also down to the forwards. The ever industrious George Gilbert created the first by breaching the defence then handing on to Tom Edwards who coasted in from 35 yards. The most popular try of the game was scored by prop Elliot Griffiths. Two stunning tackles by Gilbert and Paul Martinski put Griffiths into the clear sand he outpaced the visitors defence over a long long distance.

A very convincing win over spirited opposition but who had no answer to Wetherby’s pace and skill. The win keeps them in striking distance of the second promotion spot in the league.

They travel to Halifax Vandals next week for another must win game.