2XV
Matches
Sat 03 Oct 2015  ·  Central/North District Merit Table
Wetherby RUFC
2XV
Tries: T Stearn (2), C Atkinson, J Fox, T O"SullivanConversions: M Finch (2)Penalties: M Finch (2)Yellow Carded: C Atkinson, E Stearn
35
17
Yarnbury 4
Crusaders 35 - 17 Yarnbury 4s

Crusaders 35 - 17 Yarnbury 4s

Sean Lally9 Oct 2015 - 03:51
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Crusaders pick up Merit League win against Yarnbury 4s.

On what was a perfect day for a game of rugby Wetherby assembled nothing less than a small army with a squad of 26 players all up for this season's target of winning the merit league. It was just as well as Yarnbury only brought 14 players. Yarnbury asked if they could borrow a player and after much consultation Wetherby decided they could spare a one. Yarnbury asked for a stand off but were given Watty which was just as well as it ensured the game started with contested scrums.

The Crusdaders won the toss and kicked off and were a little slow getting out of the blocks. Yarnbury were keen to run the ball and took an early lead when they made the most of an overlap and scored a try but missing the conversion.

Wetherby didn't let this affect them and soon did a try themselves scored by Tom Stearn. The conversion was missed by Matt Finch.

Wetherby secured the ball at the kick off and made some attacking runs. They were awarded a penalty which Finch duly slotted between the uprights taking the lead 8-5.

Wetherby secured the ball again and made good progress up the field securing another penalty which Finch converted...11-5.

The first half saw the line outs work well however Wetherby were still a little lethargic and not quite firing all on cylinders. Yarnbury were still keen to attack, running the ball wide whenever they could. A quick penalty in the Wetherby 22 saw Chris Atkinson put in a tackle within 10 metres earning a 10 minute break in the sin bin. Yarnbury ran the ball again but the Wetherby defence held strong and the ball was cleared by Josh McCarthy who together with Tom Stearn on the wing was looking sharp and making some good breaks.

A short while later Elliott Stearn was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle raising his opponent above the horizontal. Yanbury kicked the penalty making it 11-8 at half time.

The half time bollocking paid dividends and Wetherby started the second half much better, playing at a faster tempo and clearing the rucks better. some strong running from Dom Snook and John Dobson made good ground and the line outs continued to work well. Captain Graham Bulmer made a run from a line out inside the Wetherby half and some neat inter play with Neil Smitherman saw the ball passed through the back line and someone on the wing cross the line only for ref to disallow the try because of a forward pass.

Some fresh legs were brought on and Mick Youlden controlled the game well at scrum half. It wasn't long before Wetherby Chris Atkinson scored.

The ball was spun wide to Dave Massey's son Pete the winger who made a great break, as he was tackled one of the Yarnbury backs thought he would assist by diving head first into Pete and knocking himself out cold. Dave Hughes played for Yarnbury along with Dave Massey allowing Watty to have a well deserved fag break.

Wetherby were well and truly in control and Frank "shut the f*@k up" Pitchford stole the ball in a maul releasing Jon Fox who ran in from half way and did a try whilst the opposition and most of the Wetherby pack were still fighting for the ball in the maul.
the conversion was probably made as Foxy grounded the ball near the posts.

Wetherby continued to control things and some great runs were made by man of the match Elliott Stearn and Chris Atkinson. It wasn't long before Wetherby scored on the right wing by either Tom Stearn,

Yarnbury never gave up and scored two tries in quick succession but Wetherby never looked liked losing. Tom O'Sullivan making his first appearance as centre instead of hooker cut a great angle and ran half the field to score under the posts surprising himself and the crowd at his stamina!!

The conversion was definitely missed by Chris Atkinson earning himself dick of the day despite a great performance.

The final score was 35-17 and Wetherby 2XV retain their spot at the top of the league.

A big thank you to Watty, Dave Massey and Dave Hughes for playing for Yarnbury to make the numbers even.

Tries by Tom Stearn x 2, Chris Atkinson, Jon Fox & Tom O'Sullivan
Pens & Cons by Matt Finch
Tea - chilli & rice

Next week sees the Crusader travel to Leeds Modernians 3s under the leadership of club favourite Nick Olte

Match details

Match date

Sat 03 Oct 2015

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Central/North District Merit Table
Team overview
Further reading