Sandal and Castleford v Rishworthians


Tough morning of Rugby for Minis at Sandal but clean sweep v Castleford

Match report Sunday 8th November
Sandal is always one of the fixtures the minis look forward to. They are one of the top clubs in Yorkshire and there is an excellent relationship between the two clubs. So to compete well there and provide a good level of opposition for Sandal is something we always strive to achieve.

The under 7's and under 8's played very well against Sandal A and B teams. The under 10's struggled against Sandal A but found Sandal B and C teams to be much more even encounters. The under 11's found he going tough against their rivals the Sharks but managed to beat their A team. The under 9's found Sandal a tough nut to crack losing 5-20. A very good performance all round considering we were only able to provide one side at each age group (Oh for the luxury of Sandal under 10's with 3 teams). The under 7's 8's and 9's had an excellent set of results against Castleford recording a clean sweep.

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Under 6's The Micros

With the recent wet weather the micros had a break from using Copley and trained in the warmth and dry of Rishworth School Sports Hall. Two more new micros started this week with 27 training today.


Under 7's The Young Guns

Young Guns lose their 100% record to Sandal A

The Young Guns played 3 games at Sandal on Sunday morning in a four team mini-tournament with Castleford.

Sandal B 2 - 6 Rishworthians
The young guns dominated much of the game giving 100% in attack and defence. Bobbie White opened the scoring followed by tries from Emma McHugh, Bobbie White and Finlay Stewart to lead 4-0 at half time. In the second half Bobbie Wite completed her hat trick and Ted Grogan added the final try. Sandal B scored 2 late conciliation tries.

Sandal A 4 - 0 Rishworthians
The Young Guns then played against Sandal A without a rest after the game with Sandal B. It was a big challenge for Rishworthians as their opponents have played as a team for 12 months and were the best opposition we have played so far this season. The young guns were equal to Sandal A for much of the game and it was only through fatigue of playing two games in a row and the loss of a player with an hand injury that the youngsters let in 4 tries.

Castleford 4 - 7 Rishworthians
In the final game of the tournament a refreshed Rishworthians ran in 7 tries to end the morning on a high. Bobbie White again opened the scoring with Ben Gianotti , Emma McHugh adding further tries to lead 3-0 at half time. The two sides then cancelled each out with 4 tries a piece. Young Guns 2nd half scorers were Bobbie White, Jack Lumb, Toby Laurie and Finlay Stewart.

Squad - Ben Gianotti, Jack Lumb, Ted Grogan, Bobbie White, Emma Mchugh, Toby Laurie, Rafe Donlon, Gailon and Finlay Stewart

Man of the Match This week it goes to Finlay Stewart for his efforts in all three matches. Bobbie and Emma were also in contention for the award.
Effort Award Ben Gianotti
Top Tagger Jack Lumb

Thank you to the parents/grandparents etc for their support on the day.



Under 8's The Meercats

Cats undefeated run extends to 26 games

Sandal B 7 - 12 Rishworthians
This Sunday Rishworthians had a busy day as they faced 3 opposing teams. Their first match was against Sandal (B). Rishworthians had the edge but Sandal made them work for their victory. There was some good tactical play by Rishworthians and great tagging. Rishworthians went into half-time leading 7-4, aided by a hat-trick from Finn Sutcliffe. The second half was a lot closer with Sandal not letting Rishworthians extend their lead. A stunning run fron Henry Craven ended the game. Final score 12-7.

Scorers: Finn Sutcliffe 4, Oliver Brian 3, William Adams 2, Thomas Georgiou 1, Henry Craven 1, Ethen Vaughan 1

Sandal A 5 - 5 Rishworthians
The second match was against Sandal (A) team. The two sides were very evenly matched, and both teams afterwards said that this was the hardest match they had played so far this season. It was not the highest scoring match of the season but the Rishworthian team played excellently in what was a nail-biting match for the spectating parents. Rishworthians entered half-time trailing 3-2. The second half saw more high quality play from both teams. Oliver Brian made a speedy sprint for the line to take Rishworthians ahead for the first time in the match. Unfortunately, despite a valiant defence from the Rishworthian side Sandal equalised in the last play of the game. Final score 5-all.

Scorers: Finn Sutcliffe 1, Henry Craven 1, Owen Witchell 1, Thomas Georgiou 1, Oliver Brian 1

Castleford 4 - 8 Rishworthians
The final match of the day was against Castleford. They were a less experienced team and Rishworthians were able to turn the ball over and had much of the possession. A hat-trick from William Adams in the first half took Rishworthians into the break leading 4-1. Castleford rallied in the second half and were able to close the gap. Final score 8-4.

Scorers: William Adams 3, Finn Sutcliffe 1, Ethen Vaughan 1, Henry Craven 1, Oliver Brian 1, Thomas Georgiou 1

Special mention should be made of Ethen Vaughan who, despite being new to the game, was our top tagger of the day.

Man of the Match Finn Sutcliffe
Effort Award: William Adams
Top Tagger: Ethen Vaughan

Squad: Finn Sutcliffe, Reece Barraclough, William Adams, Thomas Georgiou, Haydon Faulkner, Ethen Vaughan, Henry Hilton, Henry Craven, Oliver Brian, Oliver Muscat-Baron, Oscar Thomas-Rowe, Owen Witchell,



Under 9's The Destroyers

Mixed fortunes for Destroyers

Castleford 15 - 20 Rishworthians
After a shaky start conceding 2 tries Rishworthian's showed great character with a try up the slope from Matthew Tooby. Good support play at the ruck and some excellent passing sealed the win with three further tries from Corey White, Kian Sutcliffe and Carrick Keighley-Payne. A good team effort with some exceptional tackling from Corey White and Tom Stott.

Sandal 20 - 5 Rishworthians
Rishworthian's struggled from the start as Sandal scored quick successive tries. Losing possession at the ruck was a problem and Sandal capitalised to score other tries. Rishworthian's only score came from a well earned try from Nathan Donaldson.

Effort Award - William Harker
Man of the Match - Kian Sutcliffe
Top Tackler - Corey White

Squad: William Harker, Zak Rush, Toby Helm, Joe Barrett, Kian Sutcliffe, Tom Stott, Nathan Donaldson, Reggie Herd, Corey White, Carrick Keighley-Payne, Matthew Tooby, Luke Sadler

My thanks to Simon Donaldson and Andy Sadler for running the team in my absence and to Jacob Tooby for writing the match reports. Thanks again to all the parents for their support and I'm looking forward to two home games.
Grahame



Under 10's The Raiders

Raiders find it tough against a very strong Sandal squad

Rishworthians Under 10's travelled away to Sandal on Sunday for what is always a tough fixture. Sandal have strength in depth at this age group fielding 3 teams!!!

Game 1 Sandal B 15 - 5 Rishworthians
In the first of 3 games Sam Puddephatt burst through the defensive line of Sandal 'B' to open the scoring for Rishworth, with a trade mark elusive run from quick rucked ball. Sandal replied shortly afterwards though with 2 tries. The game became very close with both teams evenly matched. Morgan Smithies was first to every breakdown for Rishworth and put in a superb defensive performance. Despite lots of effort and hard work the team couldn't move the ball wide to find space down the wings and found it very difficult to make forward progress through the middle. Sandal scored another try late in the second half from a lapse in concentration by the Raiders defence and so the game finished 3 tries to 1.

Game 2 Sandal A 40 - 0 Rishworthians
In the second match the Raiders came up against Sandal's 'A' team who proved too quick and well organised for the visitors. A fine handling display from the Sandal back division enabled them to run in several unanswered tries. When Rishworthians did make forward progress, the ball was all too often lost in the tackle and Sandal exploited this turnover ball to win comfortably 8 - 0.

Game 3 Sandal C 10 - 20 Rishworthians
With legs now tiring the Rishworthian Raiders rallied for one last effort as they took to the field to face Sandal 'C'. It was Rishworth who started the brightest though with James McHugh ripping the ball out of several mauls and scrum half Vinny Maude distributing the ball well. Connor Friend once again showed his enthusiasm and scored for the Raiders and Kallan Jamieson shot down the wing to score a second. With spirits lifted from their earlier drubbing, other Rishworth players came to life. Will Symms finished off a good move and Jamieson got a second try to take the Raiders into a 4 - 0 lead at half time.

This score line obviously worried the Sandal coaching staff though who then took off the whole 'C' team and replaced them with the 'A' team again! Unphased by this complete change in opposition at half time, Rishworth defended their lead magnificently in the second half, only conceding two tries to record a fine 4 - 2 victory.

Try scorers: Puddephatt, Friend, Jamieson (2), Symms

Man of the match Morgan Smithies
Effort Award Kallan Jamieson

Squad: Will Symms, Sam Puddephatt, Kallan Jamieson, Callum Bell, Morgan Smithies, George Wright, James Mc Hugh, Toby Muscat Baron, Vinny Maude, Tom Craven, Nathan Hales, George Ackroyd, Connor Friend, Kian Stewart



Under 11's The Reds

Reds have no answer to the Sharks

Our friends over at Sandal gave us a warm welcome as usual on Sunday and we had a pleasant dry day with pre match bacon butties and coffee going down a treat. Contests between the Reds and the Sharks over the years have produced some good quality exciting rugby with the Reds just edging the win last season. Unfortunately for the Reds, this Sharks team are now probably the best junior team in the country, and they went on to produce a display of rugby that underlines why they have that status.

Game 1 Sandal 42 - 0 Rishworthians
Sandal have always been a hard team to play against, but they have strengthened their squad this season with a front row forward who is nearly as tall as me and probably tips the scales at about 12 stone. For the rest of this report I will refer to him affectionately as 'Goliath' (I hope no one is offended).

Sandal use this young man as a battering ram against defences and in doing so he takes out 3 or 4 defenders every time. Within a few minutes of the start however, the diminutive Sam Bake tackled 'Goliath' head on and managed to bring him down. (Technique always wins). Sandal would have scored early on but for another try saving tackle from Jacob Bower. The Sharks always looked like scoring and they did so after the ball was released from the scrum and fed down the back line for the winger to score in the corner. The Sandal back line played some flowing passing rugby while the forwards dominated the pack, taking a couple of scrums against the head.

Their second try came by way of 'Goliath' who powered his way over the try line with 4 Reds players hanging off him. Another try was saved when Jamie Highley on the wing made an important tackle on the Sandal centre. Reds scrum half Will McDonnell was the next to face 'Goliath', but a hard low hit brought him to the deck. Moments later young 'Goliath' was in action again when from a 5 metre penalty he was held up on the line only for him to offload to one of his mates who dived over. With the half coming to a close, the Sharks had the final word when they stretched the Reds defence with some good hands and scored in the corner to make the half time score 28-0.

Half time Sandal 28 - 0 Rishworthians

The old cliché of, a game of two halves, was no more appropriate than this match when Rishies at last showed what they could do when they put their minds to it. They started the second half with more purpose and vitality with a good driving maul which allowed scrum half McDonnell to gain ground before offloading to hooker Thomas Cockroft who was stopped short of the try line. The Sharks though gave away a penalty and Jack Davis stepped up to crash in to the Sandal defence and go over the line, only to be ruled as held up. The Reds now had their tails up and a long kick from Jacob Bower was chased down by Thomas Sweeten who harried the defender and managed to win a penalty. The Sharks defence though again held fast against the Reds barrage.

The front five in the Reds pack were again playing out of their skins and finally won a scrum against the head only for their efforts to be dashed when a loose ball was picked up by Sandal who found a gap in the Reds defence to score. It appeared that Sandal would be kept to only one score this half, but in the final minute they scored their best try of the match when the ball was won from a lineout on the right and passed through six pairs of hands out to the winger who scored next to the left corner flag after cruising through some ineffective Reds tackling.

The final score was 42-0 with the Reds becoming the latest victim crushed under the wheels of the rugby juggernaut that is Sandal under 11's.

Game 2 Sandal 'A' 14 - 40 The Reds
After a five minute break the Reds were back in action against the Sandal 'A' team, and they started well with some sustained pressure on the Sandal 10 metre line. The Reds then won a scrum against the head and the ball went down the line for Thomas Sweeten to go over for the opening score. Jacob Bower converted.

In the scrum, hookers Greg Day and Lewis Hilton were getting the better of their much bigger opponents, winning good ball against the head. With confidence now evident from the Reds they ran the ball from deep in their own half and with some lovely hands from the back line, Charlotte Siddall made it well over half way before being bundled in to touch. You had the impression that the Reds were going to score again and they did just that when Will McDonnell picked up a loose ball from a ruck and sprinted over. Bower converted.

Good rucking phases by the forwards brought about the next try when McDonnell again got clean quick ball and managed to fight his way through a pack of players from 20 metres out. Bower converted. The Reds were now in charge of the game and they increased the lead after further powerful rucking on half way. McDonnell collected the ball from the breakdown and then went jinking and weaving his way through the Sandal defence to score his hat trick try. Bower missed the conversion.

Sandal scored a try in the dying seconds of the half after a missed tackle allowed the Sandal player to score next to the corner flag. Half time score was 26-7.

Half time Sandal 7 - 26 Rishworthians

The Reds continued to play well in the second half with some good phases of passing and ball handling. Nathan Cooper was having a great game at full back, looking comfortable under the high ball and returning with some strong direct running. McDonnell increased the Reds lead with another solo try from half way when he sprinted down the left wing unopposed. Bower again converted.

Sandal replied with a try of their own when 'Goliath' again trundled over from close range. From the resulting kick off and chase the Reds put pressure on the Sandal defence and were awarded a penalty 10 meters from the line. Jack Davis crashed his way to the try line before being stopped, but the ball was taken up by Thomas Cockroft who managed to wriggle over. Bower converted and the game finished with the Reds winning comfortably 40-14.

Tries: Will McDonnell (4), Thomas Sweeten, Thomas Cockroft Con: Bower (5)

Man of the match: Nathan Cooper
Effort award: Will McDonnell
Tackle award: Sam Bake

Dave Mc


Under 12's The Red Backs

Game Cancelled

Sandal C - C Rishworthians

The game was cancelled with Rishworthians unable to raise a team. There were a number of players unavailable due to attending a Rememberance Sunday Service.

Squad: Jack Bruce; James Stott; Edward Denham; George Heron; Isaac Heron; Max Dawes;
Elliot Craven; Sam Burford-Eyre; Harry Wade; Harry Hollingsworth; Jack Raby; Myles Smithies



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