Wetherby RUFC
Grange Park
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 5NB
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Coaches
Richard Willis
email:
richardtwillis@tiscali.co.uk
Nick Oates
email:
nick.oates@btinternet.com
Nigel Hamilton-Evans
email:
nhamiltone@aol.com
Wetherby U17s are sponsored by
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Match
Reports season 2006-7
Wetherby 41 Morley 0
After last week's heavy defeat against Wath Wetherby needed
to get their act together and play the rugby they are capable
of. Training sessions in the gym and a highly motivated team
were ready for Morley when they arrived. This was an important
match as a win would give them a place in the semi-finals of the
Yorkshire Plate competition.
The game started well, a good run by Alex Long on the wing
immediately put pressure on Morley, and a poor pass created an
opportunity for Will Lockwood to kick through the Morley
defence. Skilful dribbling led to a favorable bounce and over
the line he went to score. This galvanised the team into action,
after which Morley didn't stand a chance. Dave Wilson at No 8
began an inspirational drive and through a whole team effort Tom
Bottomley put the ball down over the line only to have it
disallowed seconds later. Wetherby were not to be intimidated
even though Morley tried a quick and pacy break down the wing
only to be taken out hard by the powerful and increasingly
impressive winger Kieron Fleming. The first half witnessed
Wetherbys determination, strength and improved ball handling and
soon quick second phase ball gave their elusive fly half Myles
Oates half an opening. Through the gap, a jinky run and clever
feint inside put him on the score sheet for a fine individual
score with James Picker duly converting. Morley retaliated, but
under pressure their mistakes culminated in a Wetherby penalty,
which was taken quickly and powerhouse Tom Bottomley drew in
several defenders to create space for James Picker to score.
The second half continued the dominance of the Wetherby side.
The rucking and mauling being well organised and sustained
possesion continued to be with Wetherby, though Morley tried
their quick breaks, only to be stopped in their tracks by
Wetherby full back Jack Mudd's cracking tackles. Wetherbys
fourth try came from a surging run by Dave Wilson at No 8 who
popped the ball out of the tackle to lock Tom Bottomley, whose
ever improving fitness saw him in support to cappitalise with
the score. The anticipation of a substantial win gave the whole
team the desire to be even more creative, and subsequent gaps in
the Morley defence gave Will Lockwood on two further occasions
the opportunity to show his pace and power and take a hat trick.
The final few minutes saw a kick for territory give Wetherby an
attacking lineout from which they won the ball and saw simple
ball down the line give space for flying winger Alex Long to
finally show his pace as he outpaced all down the wing to score.
A fantastic display on which the whole team should be
congratulated. |
Wath 45, Wetherby 14
Wetherby travelled to Wath on Dearne this
week knowing little about their opposition.
Well they do now. Wath had decided not to
enter the Yorkshire Cup this season, and if
their standard of rugby was in doubt the
team proved otherwise. The quality and
commitment shown by the Wath was a credit to
their coach and supporters.
The match was hard from the outset and both
teams were very evenly matched. Good
tackling from Wetherby stopped the initial
pressure from Wath, but their speed and well
drilled set plays gave them the lead through
a converted try. Wetherby replied strongly,
Myles Oates gaining ground with a superbly
placed tactical kick to put Wetherby just on
the Wath try line. Wetherby continued to
force errors from the Wath side, and the
supporting play by Wetherby enabled Alex
Long on the wing to score. James Picker then
converted. This gave Wetherby a much needed
boost, and the resulting restart was
immediately caught by Tom Bottomley who
drove toward the Wath pack. Infringements by
Wath gave Wetherby several penalties which
were unfortunately not used to best
advantage with Wath capitalising on the
loose play and coming back strongly to
score.
Wetherby had to come back hard and when they
did so Wath made mistakes creating the space
for James Picker to score Wetherbys second
try and resulting conversion. Wath however
had the ability and character to come back
and immediately scored with Wetherby having
few answers to their slick passing and
strong running at pace.
Wetherby held out at the beginning of the
second half. Suicidal tackling and driving
from the pack sapped their remaining
strength, and as the game wore on Wath began
to repeatedly bulldoze their way towards
their line. Wath knew they were on top and
their confidence, fitness and perhaps
greater mturity and knowledge of the game
came through. A chip ahead by the Stand off
measured perfectly to be gathered by the
supporting runner just behind the Wetherby
line for a lovely try was one particular
highlight which demonstrated their talent.
In the final analysis Wetherby were given a
lesson by a well drilled, well organised
team who had pace and strength in many
positions. Hopefully Wetherby will learn
from this and bounce back next week
|
Wetherby 15, Ripon 12
Wetherby won through narrowly after a
below par performance against visitors Ripon
on Sunday. After a promising start by the
hosts with some good forward driving and
support play, the game looked set to be a
foregone conclusion with Ripon fielding a
below strength side on the day. However
perhaps complacency or overconfidence took
hold in the Wetherby ranks and they began to
play as a collection of individuals each
looking to do much themselves rather than
utilise their support. In stark contrast to
the previous week's stirring performance and
disciplined, structured play, their game
reduced to a scrappy, disjointed level which
was far below their capabilities and caused
them to twice fall behind to a similarly
frenetic but nonetheless determined and
hardworking opposition.
Three tries came Wetherby's way, courtesy of
centre and Man of the Match James Picker,
who was one of the few to retain his
straight direct running and consistently
make ground with the ball in hand, second
row Tom Bottomley who bundled over from
close range in a forward drive to pick up
the reward for one of his pack's too
infrequent phases of controlled mauling, and
winger Alex Long who, as usual, capitalised
on being allowed too much space and time
with the ball to outpace the defence to the
corner. With no conversions, Wetherby
supporters were given a nailbiting morning
as their side scored first and last but in
the interim twice went behind to Ripon
tries, the first converted, through giving
away careless turnover ball and too many
wrong options, putting themselves under
pressure.
Although not one of their most fluid and
cohesive team displays, Wetherby must simply
be contented with the win from a lacklustre
performance and then look to return to
better form next week.
|
October 29th, Wetherby 15, Moortown 29
Wetherby put up a strong performance and
were a little badly done to by the final
scoreline in this highly entertaining match
against old adversaries Moortown.
As ever outweighed by the visitors from
North Leeds, Wetherby took some time to
settle into their game and Moortown were
soon on the scoreboard through an arguably
obstructed blind side drive by their
powerful captain prop forward Taj who
touched down to the left of the posts to
give his side an early lead. Straight from
the restart the Moortown left wing was
gifted the simplest of runaway tries when a
sleepy Wetherby defence allowed him too much
space and his pace simply did the rest,
outstripping the cover defence to grant the
visitors two tries in barely as many
minutes.
Wetherby then began to pull themselves back
into the game with some resolute defence by
centres James Picker, returning from injury
and his debut centre partner Kieran Fleming.
In possession Captain Myles Oates at
Fly-half made some typical elusive jinking
runs to keep his team moving forward and
Fullback Will Davies came into the line with
fine timing to add an extra cutting edge to
Wetherby's wide attack. The pack also began
to gain an edge in the set piece with
technique having the day over sheer size.
Sensing this they played with increasing
confidence in the loose to drive the ball
deep into Moortown territory, No 8 Will
Lockwood and lock Dave Wilson in particular
showing phenomenal pace and power to test
the visitors' defence to the limit. As the
half time break arrived, Wetherby overall
were having the better of play and the
second half resumed in much the same vein
with an early try deservedly coming their
way, flying winger Alex Long outpacing the
last of the defence down his left wing
following simple, swift and slick handling
by the three quarter line.
A Moortown revival saw them claim a well
worked team try, with several phases finally
converted by their powerful flanker.
Wetherby however were by now up for the game
and a No 8 pickup by Lockwood saw him draw
in two defenders and feed to his supporting
backrow partner Alex Hills who claimed the
score with a powerful drive and dive to
touch down. Minutes later winger Alex Long
bagged his brace with an almost exact repeat
of the first try. Quick ball from the pack
and fast hands down the line put the pace
man flying away to outstrip the defence and
put the hosts back in the game at just one
converted try behind. With the last play of
the game however Wetherby were to be
thwarted by Moortown's talisman Captain
powering over from a quickly taken tap
penalty to seal the result with a probably
deserved win but perhaps flattering
scoreline
Although disappointed by the result,
Wetherby once awoken showed some quality
play and determined spirit against an
unquestionably high calibre Moortown side.
With several half term absences this
performance shows the increasing strength in
depth of the Wetherby squad. They can
undoubtedly feel confident in taking on any
opposition when they actually play to their
potential.
|
October 22nd 2006
West Park 12, Wetherby 39
A half-term-reduced squad of just 17 players travelled to
Bramhope hoping to play to their potential against West Park.
After the previous week's disappointing exit from the Yorkshire
Cup everyone hoped for the more cohesive team display of which
they are known to be capable.
From the first moment the kick off provided a quick break for
Tom Coldwell to score the first try of the match. West Park
replied immediately with a strong attack of their own and only
the staunch Wetherby defence prevented a certain try.
Richard Willis, Wetherby's coach had obviously been “back to
basics” as the ball began moving across the field. Alex Halls
hooking to scrum half Patrick Gilbert enabled the ball to travel
swifly through fast hands to the wings – text book rugby!
Successful attacks led to James Picker scoring under the posts
and Tom Coldwell adding to his personal score by converting.
Second row stalwart Tom Bottomley then caught the high ball from
West Park's kick off and bulldozed his way down the field to
offload to Man of the Match winger Christian Davies who scored
out wide after his silky elusive running enabled him to evade
the would be tacklers. Just before the interval Wetherby added
to their half time total by a typically unstoppable Dave Wilson
bullocking run to touch down under the posts, allowing the
simple conversion to be added by Captain Myles Oates.
West Park were not to take this lightly and the second half
began with the hosts setting up a determined drive allowing
Matthew Orson to put them on the score sheet. Their subsequent
conversion gave them 7 valuable points and initiated a more
confident side who for a time began to take control of the
match. Wetherby however were not about to let this continue for
long and soon Alex Long found his running legs to outpace the
Park defensive line, only to be wiped out by a super cover
tackle just before the line. He came back fighting to score 2
minutes later.
A basic handling error by West Park prevented them grasping a
certain try but fortune smiled on them as an awarded penalty
allowed Josh Simpson to take their tally to 12 points.
The crowning moment of the game came towards the end as Openside
Flanker Charlie Fox spun a well timed 20 metre pass to Alex Long
at full speed who stormed through to close out the game with his
second try of the day.This was a vastly improved, flowing
performance by Wetherby. Excellent team work from a well
disciplined side who must now take this new found confidence and
ability with them to challenge Moortown next week. |
15th October 2006
Wetherby 5 North Ribblesdale 40
Wetherby's anticipation of a hard match was well founded when
they played in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup. Their
visitors, North Ribblesdale, who were winners in 2005, and
semifinalists in 2006, arrived full of confidence and ready to
start their campaign for this season. Based on the day's
performance their confidence is well founded as their sheer size
and power saw them take charge within the first few minutes and
despite exemplory defensive efforts by Wetherby No 8 Will
Lockwood and Captain Myles Oates at Fly Half, the visitors'
outstanding centres were soon on the score sheet and the game
was well under their control before the interval.
Wetherby however staged something of a recovery late in the
first half where sheer aggression and dogged determination
frustrated Ribblesdale's organisation and particularly set plays
where pack leader Tom Bottomley at lock and Man of the Match
Alex Halls at prop exemplified the determined spirit shown by
Wetherby and consequently they perhaps had the edge in the set
scrummage despite being vastly outweighed by the visiting pack.
In the final moments of the half, Flanker Alex Hills produced a
dazzling tackle and immediately stole the ball to counter
another Ribblesdale attack and give Wetherby a well timed boost
before the break.
The second half produced some super rugby with Full Back Tom
Whalley notably executing a stunning cover tackle to bravely
prevent a further certain try for Ribblesdale by their immense
centre. This period also saw Wetherby restore a little
confidence and put some points on the board with centre Tom
Coldwell showing his pace to skirt round the Ribblesdale back
line and score a well deserved try.
The final score reflected a very strong, well organised and
talented side from Ribblesdale, who played high quality fast,
driving rugby. Credit should however also go to the whole
Wetherby squad who fought to the end and whose at times awesome
tackling and commitment prevented the score from escalating
further. Maintaining this kind of team spirit will go a long way
to seeing them through to victory against most of the opposition
they encounter. |
Sunday 10th September 2006
Wetherby vs Selby
A cool, grey, damp and misty start to the season for the U15s
summed up both the weather atGrange Park and the initial start
to the game for both sides. Initial play was slow and scrappy,
punctuated by handling errors on both sides due to a slippery
ball from the heavy September dew and possibly a few rusty
players after a long summer break.
The advantage appeared to be with Selby at this stage as their
strong pack won the ball from several early scrums but this
wasn't to last long. Handling errors were capitalised upon by
the Wetherby backs who were quick to pick up any loose ball and
head for the Selby line.
15 minutes into the first half, Lockwood went over for the first
try of the game to take Wetherby into a 5-0 lead. Shortly after
the restart, Lockwood again made a great individual run to cover
the last 22 metres jinking between several Selby players for a
great try under the posts, to be converted to take Wetherby to
12-0.
Wetherby gained confidence from this with Picker scoring next to
take the score to 17-0, followed by a strong drive from
Bottomley to push aside the Selby defence to score under the
posts. The conversion took Wetherby to a strong 24-0 lead as
half time approached. Lockwood was heard to shout "let's try
some stuff" at this point, which he did next, to score again
just before half time to give himself a hat-trick of tries and
Wetherby a 29-0 lead at the break. Once again, Lockwood could be
heard encouraging the team with shouts of "I'll get the beers
in" - presumably meaning shandy with the licensing laws in mind.
The second half saw no let up as Wetherby again strongly
attacked a defiant Selby side who valiantly defended to no
avail. TC was next in for Wetherby at 34-0 followed again by the
irrepressible man of the match, Will Lockwood, who took his
personal tally to 4 tries and Wetherby to a commanding 39-0
lead.
Further tries from Charlie Fox, Julian Mason and Alex Long with
two further conversions took Wetherby to a final score of 58-0.
By this time the sun was shining on Grange Park and Wetherby
U15s were feeling the warmth. Selby can go away feeling good
that once the second half got going, they showed flashes of
inspiration which on a different day could have paid off, but by
this time the Wetherby defence had woken up and was resolute to
the end. Selby's work rate and determination were very good and
as the season progresses I am sure they will come good.
Try scorers Lockwood (4), Picker Bottomley, Coldwell, Fox,
Mason, Long |
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