RFU Senior Vase

RFU SENIOR VASE FINAL

At TWICKENHAM

MAY 5th 2018

SALTASH 18. V 22 WATH UPON DEARNE

After the huge build up for the game the Wath squad stood on the hallowed turf at Twickenham, the home of English rugby. As the game began the temperature registered 75f and the heat was on.
The forwards carried the ball into the opposition led by flanker, Joe Earp, and earned a penalty after 2 minutes.Jack Whitlam showed nerves of steel and took the opportunity to give his team mates a 3-0 lead.

Saltash, bolstered by a flanker who had chosen to play for his club rather than his county, began to gain territory and, after 8 minutes, they took the lead 3-5 when they scored a try out wide. Although the conversion was missed, the lively Saltash backs continued to threaten the staunch Wath defence. One successful penalty kick from two attempts extended the Cornish team’s advantage to 3-8.

On 25 minutes Wath played their ace card, sending the experienced campaigner, Richard Hill, into the second row. However, within 5 minutes, Joe Bartlett, the nuggety scrum half, was yellow carded and there was some disruption before Jim West was sent on to cover the position.

Just after the half hour mark fullback, Tom Quinn, returned a high kick and caused panic in the Saltash defence as he followed it up and tackled his opposite number. Centre, Andy Hopkin, cleared out the ruck and Joe Earp stole possession. Excellent passes out wide from Richard Hill and captain, Adam West, gave centre, Steve Mason, just enough room to power over the try line near the corner flag. The conversion went just wide but Wath were back in the game.

On half time Wath took the lead 13-8 when Richard Hill powered over the line following drives by Adam West and prop, Andy Hamilton. Whitlam made no mistake and the lead stretched to 15-8 at the break.

The second half began with Saltash using their exciting back line to move the ball wide but Wath’s elastic defence coped magnificently. Eventually, pressure told and Saltash scored a try but it went unconverted and Wath still had a 15-13 lead.

The big Wath pack refused to wilt in the baking heat and the fresh legs from the bench: Andy Bartlett, Luke Pendlebury and Tony Kenney added extra impetus. Dominating scrums and line-outs the mighty forwards forced Saltash to concede a penalty try at a scrum and Wath moved two scores clear at 22-13.

Solid Saltash defence prevented Wath taking further advantage of their dominance and they could have closed the gap on 70 minutes when they missed a relatively simple penalty kick. However, Saltash were now on top, desperately throwing everything at the tiring Wath team. On 75 minutes Luke Stead was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and received a yellow card. On 76 minutes, as pressure and tension grew, everyone including the demonstrative Wath coach, Simon Lines, thought the referee had given a try. There was great relief when players and spectators realised he had given a penalty to Wath.

In the last minute a Saltash kick got the ball back into the Wath half. Despite last ditch efforts, with all the team putting their bodies on the line, the opposition winger scraped over the line in the corner. The missed conversion meant that, at 22-18, Saltash needed a try in the last 30 seconds.

As they gained possession captain, West, cut off the opportunity to speed the ball wide. The courageous Wath pack led by TV Man of the Match, Richard Hill, held up the ball in the maul and the referee blew for time.

All the Wath team, coaches, backroom team and spectators were elated. Every player had refused to concede to a possibly more skilful team. Nollie Waterman commented on TV, Wath had the “mental toughness” to bring off the win on the biggest day in the South Yorshire club’s history.

All the players, club management and backroom helpers would like to thank family, friends, sponsors and spectators for their massive support, not just at Twickenham but throughout the season.

Steve Corns