The Barmy Army are back!

The Barmy Army arrived looking rejuvenated and hungry, it definitely didn’t look like any squad member under the age of 25 (and Jack Kaye) were out in Boston Spa all night. The starting 15 saw some familiar faces including captain James Gibson, the assistant social secretary Matty Jones and the stand in 10, who did a much better job than Archie Youlden on Saturday, Liam Harrison. We also saw some new faces such as Louis Cox, who is attempting to overthrow Josh Draper as the angriest man in the club and Tom Goodall who thinks it’s a good idea to play better for the opposition than his own side.

From kickoff Wetherby were rampant, Rhys De Gruchy and Tom Goodall getting things started with two length of the pitch tries. More of the same continued with Matty Jones and Tom Orange putting in some thunderous hits giving Wetherby a huge early advantage. Will Jefferson then ran in his first try of the season assisted by the dazzling Liam Harrison, and to top off the first 20 minutes of the game Olly Hills kicked an 100% deliberate 50/22. McKenzie Scurr closed out the first half with a try to take the score to 48-0 at half time. The crowd that included Joe Mason, Tom Kitching and Wardys Mum were in bedlam at half time with chants of ‘Marcus Littles Barmy Army ringing across the ground.

The second half saw some changes that gave the inform goal kicker Sam Hardman and Tom Thackray their season debut. The second half didn’t quite start the way Wetherby would’ve hoped, with Harrogate dominating the scrum and Wetherby giving away their first try of the game, more of the same continued and the Wetherby penalty count grew which gave Sean Whitelow, who didn’t stay to down his pint which we have not forgotten, some time in the sin bin. Wetherby eventually fought back thanks to the returning Max Stephens providing some colossal carries and a Wetherby try saw Sam Hardman step up to the mark to take the conversion; Hardman stood still with shades of Jonny Wilkinson in his stance, a black kicking tee holding the ball perfectly angled as the ground fell silent, like a sunny day on a desert island, Hardman struck the ball making a solid contact but narrowly missed, there’s always next week.

Eventually Wetherby won 65-10, a brilliant way to start the league. Some big performances from Rhys De Gruchy, Matty Jones, Dan McCleary and Louis Cox that’ll be pushing for first team all year as will most this second team squad. However man of the match went to debutant Tom Goodhall who carried like a Greek God and also decided to play a better second half for the opposition.

Dick of the day was awarded to Sean Whitelow for the yellow card, however he left the club straight away foreseeing he would have to down a pint. So instead James Ward took the prize for knocking a ball on that was lying on the ground still with no player within 10 metres of him