Wetherby Stumble But Promotion Just One Game Away

After the elation of the win over Keighley a week ago to take Wetherby RUFC top of the league they were in the envious position of only two more wins to take the Yorkshire 2 title. However Hullensians hadn’t read the script and started very strongly at their home ground with a try within the first 5 minutes. They were clearly sharper than the visitors and perhaps the bus trip and slightly late arrival hadn’t done Wetherby any favours.

With Wetherby having made a number of changes due to injury from last week, Hullensians were playing quick, expansive rugby that saw Wetherby stretched on numerous occasions early on and their dominance showed with a further converted try within the first 15 minutes. Injuries to Palombo, Kaye and Draper meant an early disruption to the plan and with Wetherby struggling to find their rhythm, the Hullensians backs danced around the defence and dotted down again on the half hour mark. 17-0.

But this Wetherby side has never gone down without a fight and the dominance of an unchanged front row of Hoather, Mason and Woodworth was at last starting to reap rewards. Pressure down the right wing lead to a scrum that saw Wetherby walk the ball onto the line only for Hullensians to concede a penalty try. Wetherby seemed to have arrived! And with 7 minutes to half time Wetherby again found themselves in the Hullensians 22 with a scrum in their favour. Hullensians were unable to sustain any sort of defence and succumbed to another huge scrum with Will Blakey dotting down for Wetherby and a Hullensians prop yellow carded. Things were looking up, 17-12. Wetherby’s lineout was also looking strong with great work from Reidy and the Peter Pan-like Gibson.

But half time came too soon and as Wetherby left the field in a dominant position, Hullensians started the second half with the energy and pace that they had demonstrated in at the beginning of the first half. Despite tackles flying in from Connelly, Little and Parrish, the Hullensians back line were finding the gaps. And despite some thunderous hits from Adair and Arundel, the pressure was relentless which resulted in a converted try for Hullensians and again Wetherby were on the back foot at 25-12. For all Wetherby benefitted from the dominant pack, they struggled to find any gaps in the Hullenisans open play defence and were on the wrong end of a number of turnovers at the ruck. Weth were driven back through tactical kicking and a strong back three which led to a further two tries for Hullensians with 10 minutes to play. Could there be a comeback?

Wetherby were down but not out and battled on to the end pulling one score back to finish the match 40-19. All of the lads put in a massive shift and Hullensians proved what a fortress their home pitch can be yet again. Whilst we might not have beaten them on the pitch, Wetherby are always winners in the bar, dispatching the home side in a boat race and impromptu karaoke session with ease.

Wetherby have their last game of the season vs Wensleydale RUFC on April 23rd, sponsored by Ware & Kay Solicitors and welcome all supporters to cheer us on to a final victory that will seal promotion.