Never has so much anticipation and pre-game build up been brewing going into a central merit table match in the history of rugby EVER. The previous fixture between the two teams was unfortunately called off due for unforeseen circumstances which caused some points of contention between the two sides.

Secondly a top level rugby league player had a few words of wisdom for the WRUFC Instagram on the eve of the game which added fuel to the Barmy Army fire that was already so hotter than a room full of all the Will’s at the rugby club.

Coach Marcus little had this to say before the game (read this imagining there is an F bomb after every word) “ we bring arguably our strongest team of the season, no one is playing out of position and Dalton at 10 really adds a new dimension to my side, West Leeds will be a tough test and not a team we can take for granted. However, I believe in my boys”.

So it was time to brush the build up aside and play some rugby union…or at least Wetherby were. A neck and neck 10 minutes showed big carries from both sides before some kick tennis allowed Wetherby a lineout around on the halfway line. A bingo connection allowed Shaw to give the ball out the back sucking players in, the ball was passed through hands to Hills in acres of space, he ran down the wing and scored Wetherby’s first try of the game, an excellent team try, Woodworth would be proud.

The Wetherby pressure continued through some excellent carries from Ortelli and of course Scurr. Big forward drives from Tom Orange and Sean Whitelow allowed Shaw to call a grange pattern and he himself made some defenders miss giving Wetherby a 2nd try.

However the West Leeds ultras came marching back through nifty footwork from their full back and outside centre who were the standouts all game making the army work hard in D. Soon West Leeds came driving to the line and earned their fist score of the game.

Wetherby came back strong with real grit however, the returning Dan Simpson was bouncing players all over and offloading to the main man himself Rhys De Gruchy, who has real pace for a forward and touched down for a try.

Simpson cementing himself as the Crown of the Combines, ahead of Roberts and Watson who seem to be missing and, Goodall and definitely Ward who experienced minor setback on Saturday night (if only he had a lethal commando roll).

Half time 7-17 to Wetherby.

With Parrish out injured Ortelli returned to the 13 jersey but it wasn’t going to be for long as West Leeds continued there 0% tackle legs rate as Ortelli went off with a bruising head injury.

This allowed Dalton to slot a Wetherby penalty giving the visitors a 13 point lead.

Soon the NRL all stars of West Leeds came roaring back through a series of Wetherby errors. Which consisted of Whitelow making a lovely break before booting the ball out on the full, Lawrence knocking the ball on inside our own 10, Hills booting the ball dead when he was open for a try and Dalton giving us the best backwards box kick of the year.

This was topped off with a Dave Lister yellow card, who was magnificent all game not letting anyone get near the club legend Mick Youlden at 9.

West Leeds took advantage of the Wetherby mistake and scored their 2nd try mostly from brilliant work on the centres allowing the ball to uncharacteristically pass through hands and take advantage of the overlap. Just 6 points in the game with 10 minutes left.

Weth shut up shop for the final 10 before Lawrence booted the ball into touch giving Wetherby a fine win against tricky opposition.

The Wetherby man of the match and dick of the day was awarded to Lister, who is becoming the unsung hero of the 2nd team hitting every ruck and consistently winning 3 to 4 turnovers a game. With the 1st team also putting together statement win it was back to the clubhouse for dare is say it another RED RINSE.