Having completed the league season with promotion to Yorkshire 1, Wath began their Papa John’s Community cup campaign against highly rated Kesteven who have recently been crowned as champions of Counties 2, Midlands East (North), winning 20 of 22 games, scoring just short of 1000 points. Wath were obviously keen to repeat their success last season of winning their Papa John’s Plate, and aim for a (once in a lifetime), third visit to Twickenham.
Starting with great intensity the Wath forwards were awarded a penalty at the first scrum and stand off Jack Whitlam’s kick put the home side 5 metres from their opponents line. The inevitable catch and drive resulted in hooker, James Thompson touching down for a try after just 3 minutes. The difficult conversion fell wide but Wath were 5-0 up.
Kesteven steadied the ship and after 10 minutes kicked a penalty to close the score to 5-3. Wath responded immediately and following several phases of play close to the Kesteven line, second row, Luke Stead barged over. Whitlam added the conversion and put his side 12-3 ahead. The game became a little of a stalemate but just before half time Wath turned the screw and produced two more tries from close range. First Luke Stead completed a double , this act quickly followed by James Thompson’s second try. With both tries successfully converted by Whitlam and Wath turned round 26 – 3 in front.
Dominating the early stages of the second half, Wath ran in three more tries. Full back Tom Quinn joined the line to score after 42 minutes, and back row Aaron Tasker and skipper Sean Hopper both crossed the line to put Wath in the clear 45-3, with two more successful kicks .
Having already made several interchanges the Wath coaches were in a position avoid injury to key players by using their full allocation of replacements. With so many changes the game became scrappy and Kesteven, who had never stopped trying , scored two consolation tries.
At the final whistle Wath had won 45-15. A comprehensive win for the Yorkshire side who’s power and determination proved too much for the Midlands champions to handle.
Wath travel to play Horden and Peterlee , the 2023-24 Champions of the Northumberland and Durham Counties 2, in the next round.
Wath Man of Steel , for his game management and place kicking was awarded to No.10, Jack Whitlam.