Rishworthians v Moortown

Reds win in season Finale

Well here we are at the end of another season. It only seems 2 minutes ago that we were getting hammered at the Land rover Challenge and now we are playing the last game of the season, at home. Yes at home. This is our first game at home since we played Sandal in that epic at the end of February, and after the success over the last few weeks it was only fitting that we ended the 2009-2010 campaign with another winning display in front of a sizeable partisan crowd. With only 2 teams at home this weekend we were honoured to be able to play on the first team pitch against Moortown.

Rishworthians 28 - 14 Moortown

With Moortown taking the kick off, the Reds returned the ball in to opposition territory and put Moortown under early pressure with some good phases of rucking which saw Jack Davis released on a barging run over the try line, only to be ruled as held up. Disappointing but a promising start. The Reds maintained pressure with a strong presence in a series of scrums on the Moortown 5 metres. It was from one of these scrums that released the ball through four sets of hands out to Oliver Marshall on the left wing, who dragged two defenders with him as he managed to get over the line to touch down. Jacob Bower converted for the opening lead of 7-0.

Moortown came back strongly and used there two decent forwards to effect. But the Rishies youngsters were up to the task and made some terrific one on one tackles through Sam Bake, Will McDonnell and Jacob Bower in particular. A well disciplined phase of Reds rucking brought play up to the visitors 15metre line where scrum half McDonnell seemed to have gone over for another try, but unseen by this coach, he had the ball knocked from his grasp before the line. The Reds were rewarded from a scrum won against the head 5 metres from the Moortown line. The combination of McDonnell to Bake to Davis saw Jack dive over the line for a definite try, and with Bower converting the lead was now 14-0.

Moortown almost scored with a run down the touchline but were denied by another well executed tackle by McDonnell banging the player in to touch. The Reds again sustained a bit of pressure from Moortown on their own line but a 50 metre clearance kick by McDonnell was chased down by the Reds wave of players who managed to recover the ball and send Davis over for his second try. Bower converted. Moortown did manage to penetrate the Reds defence when their best player managed to squeeze over from a 5 metre penalty, and with the successful conversion.

Half Time Rishworthians 21 - 7 Moortown

During the match Moortown were very good at their passing game but their running game was not impressive. With ball in hand they ran sideways back and forth across the pitch allowing the Reds guys to step up in a line and stop any forward momentum. A typical run by McDonnell brought play deep in to the visitors territory, and with an offload in the tackle to Thomas Cockroft, a try looked on the cards, but the defence was strong and he was kept out. Another 5 metre Moortown penalty gave them another try when they crashed over to score. With the conversion taken the Reds lead was shortened to 21-14.

From the restart Bower put a beautiful kick in to the corner next to the flag giving a line out to Moortown. From the line out the opposition scrum half saw his clearing kick charged down by Bower, and with the ball bobbling close to the try line Davis scooped it up and scored from 1 yard out. Bower converted. The Reds pack have been awesome over the last few weeks and they continued in the same vein winning scrums against the head and crashing in to the rucks giving good ball for the back line to launch attacks against the Moortown defence. A Reds penalty sent Davis crashing in to the defence, continued on by McDonnell who offloaded to Bake who crossed the line but dropped the ball in the act of scoring. Moortown also crossed the whitewash again but it was their turn to be denied when they were ruled held up. A great Moortown kick similar to JB?s, again put the Reds under late pressure, but more defiant defence on the line kept them out. This was the last play of the match and at the final whistle the Reds had won a hard fought game 28-14.

Tries: Jack Davis (3), Oliver Marshall
Cons: Jacob Bower (4)

Man of the match: Toby Gledhill
Effort award: Jacob Bower
Tackle award: Sam Bake

It looked at one point as though this was going to be a barren season for silverware, but with us winning the plate at Brods, and the cup at Telford, it has turned in to another successful season. We were also only one try away from winning the salver at Driffield. The win on Sunday also saw us pass the 1,000 points tally again.
This years stats are: Played 40, Won 23, Drawn 3, Lost 14

Many thanks again from all the coaches to parents and families for your support throughout the season, and we hope to see you all for another successful campaign in 2010/2011 as under 12?s. Have a good summer, and it will be the new season before you know it.

Dave Mc