Big win

Wath 2nds. 54 : 6 Huddersfield YMCA 28.3.15

Clear sunny afternoon with a gale blowing along the pitch. YMCA were warming up as Wath went across to the pitch and looked very organised, practicing backs moves and forward play, with an athletic looking team. Wath had lost several players to 1st team duty, but welcomed back Luke Pendlebury, Adam West and Sean Hopper. Jim chose to kick into the wind having won the toss and kicked off. YMCA move the ball well and went through several phases of play, retaining possession and setting up good backs play, it looked like the warm up routines were being implemented well. After 5 minutes of play the home team were awarded a penalty at a ruck in their own 22 after YMCA man killed the ball. With some possession Wath set up some good attacks but the defence was very good, some cracking tackles stopping Wath players, one 2 man tackle on Matt Myers leaving him stunned and wondering where he had parked his car. Not knowing where you’ve parked is the No.1 test on the IRB Cognitive tests protocol, so Matt sub’d and Charlie Higgins came on for his second game with the 2’s. Wath pressure started to tell and Sean Hopper went over for the opening try. Cory Cox today playing wing and kicked into the teeth of the gale from out wide and just missed. Following restart YMCA got a penalty in Wath 22 and took the points 5-3. The forwards were running well and exerting pressure across the park, Lord and Linton were running straight and setting up phase after phase, eventually prop Ben Myers went over for score number 2. Cory converted with ease. YMCA now started to kick over the defence but fullback Pendlebury was tidying up and taking it back with interest. From a penalty Wath put ball into touch 10 yards out and set up a catch and drive which the YMCA forwards backed off and got a penalty for truck and trailer, rubbish rugby! Wath continued to pressure and Pendlebury cutting a line went over, Cox converts 19-3. YMCA attacks were being cut down effectively across the pitch, Charlie Higgins hitting far above his weight (he is 5 stone wet through). From a penalty 15m out Adam West took it quick and as he was tackled reached out and popped it onto the line. Converted 26-3. YMCA got another kickable penalty to make the halftime score 26-6. Andy Linton getting a 10 minute rest for a high tackle when the opposition 10 ran into him and poleaxed himself. Dan Andrews came on in second half and added his powerful running to the team, Gaz Webb moving into the row. YMCA started with all out attack determined to reverse the score, again though they kicked ball away in Wath’s 22 and Cory Cox moving from his wing broke the line and released the backs, Rory Andersonr on the wing stepping a man and making it to halfway before chipping ahead and showing a clean pair of heels to all the defence to pick up and go under posts. His first senior try. Cox Converted. Following another lineout 15m out YMCA forwards backed off but the Wath forwards did not bind onto ball carrier Sean Hopper who casually walked with the ball towards the line until they realised the ref was not going to blow, finally tackling him and from the ruck Wath penalised for hands in. Clever play from Wath forwards who worked it out how to deal with this blight on forward play, and excellent refereeing. The game continued with Wath pressure and tries followed from Dan Andrews, Adam West and Luke Pendlebury, all converted by the impressive Cory Cox who moved to him usual 10 while Adam West moved to the wing to cough and throw up in front of opposition winger. With 15 minutes to go Charlie Higgins was about to be sub’d when prop Gaz Goddard walked off saying they’ve gone unopposed leave the quick lad on, demonstrating the brilliant team spirit and selflessness that have been a key part of this team for several seasons. Jason Cotton was a bit offended however when one of the visitors coaching staff called him Dad, when told he was in his mid thirties replied ‘some tough paper round then’. Jason played like he was mid twenties for 60 then went back on when Tony Kenney got a knock. This was the best display this season, YMCA were no mugs and had got a game plan, however Waths power in the forwards and backs was too much. The MoM award was shared by 2 youngsters, Rory Anderson, for his defence and sensational try, and Charlie Higgins for his work rate, tackling and link play. These two have both got the 2 things we look for in a rugby player. The referee Tom was excellent and all the team agreed there has been a marked improvement in his game over the last 2 seasons, obviously the opposition may not feel the same, but 54-6 is not just edged by reffing.
Team; Luke Pendlebury, Rory Anderson, Dan Lord, Andy Linton, Adam West, Cory Cox, Gaz Goddard, James Dobson, Steve West, Ben Myers, Tony Kenney, Alex Dunn, Jason Cotton, Matt Myers, Sean Hopper, Gaz Webb, Charlie Higgins, Dan Andrews