Wetherby Crusaders lose heavily to York 3s

The Crusaders travelled to York, the birthplace of Guy Fawkes, on 5th November and rather like Guy failed to complete their mission. With a big set of forwards the plan was to go off with a bang and blow the York team into submission before using the rocket like pace in the back three. York had other ideas!

The weather played a big part in the game with a freezing strong wind blowing straight down the pitch. With the benefit of hindsight Wetherby made the wrong decision to play into the wind in the first half as they struggled to get any field position despite some strong ball carrying by the forwards.

The weather then improved in the second period, never trust the weather forecast!

York took the lead with a couple of penalty kicks and then mid way through the half they scored a try through their outside centre who shrugged off a couple of weak tackles to score. 13-0.

Things then went from bad to worse for the Crusaders with first centre Rhys Lacey having to go off with an ankle injury and then the scrums which were an area of dominance for the Crusaders going to uncontested. Pitchford, Watts, Morris, Lally and Massey were far from impressed! Without having to put any effort into scrummaging the York forwards had plenty of energy spare to get around the park and in the end their extra mobility was a big factor.

Just before half time the York number 8 managed to force his way over for another try by the posts to make the score 20-0.

The second half started well with the forwards led by Will Cayton and Matt Harrison making some hard yards. Wetherby battered away at the line and eventually Paul Minns forced his way over. The conversion was missed. 20-5 game on.

York weren’t going to let things slip though and within a couple of minutes they had scored again with the outside centre making a 50 yard break down the left to score an excellent try. 27-5.

The Crusaders came straight back and again were camped on the York line. Without being able to go for a pushover try the Crusaders tried to keep it tight but this was probably too predictable and York defended well. Matt Harrison came very close to scoring dropping the ball over the line and the chance was gone. If the ball was a doughnut he wouldn’t have dropped it, he wouldn’t have put it down either, he would have eaten it.

York then broke out again to score and the game was pretty much up at 32-5.
The Crusaders rallied and Paul Minns forced his way over again from close range to make the score 32-10. The conversion was missed again, that’s nine in a row after last weeks’ efforts!
In the last few minutes the Crusaders faded and York scored 2 more tries to make the final score 46-10.

The post match conclusion was that effort level couldn’t be faulted but that tackling technique needs improvement. York showed the way with good low tackles chopping down the big Wetherby runners. The Crusaders often went in to tackles too high and got bumped off frequently.

In the second half the structure went out of the window too and opportunities to get the ball wide were either ignored or poorly executed. Fair play to York though they deserved the win, just get a front row sorted for next time!