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Sat 05 Sep 2015 · Yorkshire Division Two
1st XV Old Grovians
32
8
Solid start to the season
Rebecca Bird6 Sep 2015 - 15:39
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Wath 32 Old Grovians 8
On Saturday Wath upon Dearne RUFC 1st XV began their 2015-2016 campaign in Yorkshire 2. The South Yorkshire men welcomed newly promoted Old Grovians, with Wath coming down from Yorkshire 1 last season neither side knew what to expect meaning an exciting game was in store.
Wath picked a side with a good mix of youth and experience and the match was played on the Third XV pitch with the cricket season still ongoing. Wath lost the coin toss and played downhill in the first half and were able to capitalize in the opening few minutes. The pack worked their way down-field and just outside the 22 centre Andy Hopkin received the ball, he burst through the initial tackle and outstripped the covering defence to score under the sticks. Jordan Fleming as on target with the conversion 7-0.
It wasn’t long before the visitors were on the board, they enjoyed a spell of possession and earned a penalty infront of the posts, 7-3.
Wath were playing the game at a good pace and from a break from full back Adam West Old Grovians infringed and Fleming pointed to the uprights and landed the penalty 10-3.
Before the half was over Wath were able to further extend their lead, again quick ball was key which allowed skipper Ashley Rothery to make the initial break, the ball was recycled through the pack before Rothery floated a great pass out to Fleming who dotted down outwide. Half time score Wath 15 Old Grovians 3.
Into the second half Wath needed to push on, and they did just that inside the opening minutes, a superb take at the lineout from Joey Minshull set the platform and Adam West broke outwide, the Grovians scramble defence hauled him down but Wath remained patient. They eventually earned a penalty 5 metres our and young scrum half Ben Cairns took full advantage taking the quick tap and diving over. 20-3.
Wath had the bonus point secured on 60 minutes, the pack made strong inroads into the Old Grovians defence before returning back row Martin Balshaw received the ball and powered his way over under the sticks, Joe Bartlett landed the conversion 27-3.
The next spell of possession went the way of the visitors, their strong pack worked their way downfield and they eventually broke the Wath defence with a forward drive in the corner 27-8.
The final say however went to the home side, Hopkin grabbed his second try of the game when Grovians defence was stretched creating an overlap for Hopkin to exploit and race over. Final score Wath 32 Old Grovians 8
A solid season opener from Wath, with plenty still to work on. Special mention to 17year old back row Curtis Brownrigg who impressed on his 1st XV debut. The match was a strong team performance ahead of the first away trip next weekend to Old Rishworthians.
Wath picked a side with a good mix of youth and experience and the match was played on the Third XV pitch with the cricket season still ongoing. Wath lost the coin toss and played downhill in the first half and were able to capitalize in the opening few minutes. The pack worked their way down-field and just outside the 22 centre Andy Hopkin received the ball, he burst through the initial tackle and outstripped the covering defence to score under the sticks. Jordan Fleming as on target with the conversion 7-0.
It wasn’t long before the visitors were on the board, they enjoyed a spell of possession and earned a penalty infront of the posts, 7-3.
Wath were playing the game at a good pace and from a break from full back Adam West Old Grovians infringed and Fleming pointed to the uprights and landed the penalty 10-3.
Before the half was over Wath were able to further extend their lead, again quick ball was key which allowed skipper Ashley Rothery to make the initial break, the ball was recycled through the pack before Rothery floated a great pass out to Fleming who dotted down outwide. Half time score Wath 15 Old Grovians 3.
Into the second half Wath needed to push on, and they did just that inside the opening minutes, a superb take at the lineout from Joey Minshull set the platform and Adam West broke outwide, the Grovians scramble defence hauled him down but Wath remained patient. They eventually earned a penalty 5 metres our and young scrum half Ben Cairns took full advantage taking the quick tap and diving over. 20-3.
Wath had the bonus point secured on 60 minutes, the pack made strong inroads into the Old Grovians defence before returning back row Martin Balshaw received the ball and powered his way over under the sticks, Joe Bartlett landed the conversion 27-3.
The next spell of possession went the way of the visitors, their strong pack worked their way downfield and they eventually broke the Wath defence with a forward drive in the corner 27-8.
The final say however went to the home side, Hopkin grabbed his second try of the game when Grovians defence was stretched creating an overlap for Hopkin to exploit and race over. Final score Wath 32 Old Grovians 8
A solid season opener from Wath, with plenty still to work on. Special mention to 17year old back row Curtis Brownrigg who impressed on his 1st XV debut. The match was a strong team performance ahead of the first away trip next weekend to Old Rishworthians.
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