Match report Sunday 7th February Friendly
Last weeks scheduled game between these two sides fell victim to the weather last weekend, but both sides had free weeks and were able to reschedule. Both teams have never met before but from earlier results in the season suggested they would be well matched. This proved be the case as Roundhegians took an early lead only for Rishworthiand to fight back and retake the lead with 5 unanswered tries then hang on as Roundhegians came back strongly in the dying minutes.

The game started badly for Rishworthians as Roundhegians dominated the early exchanges and what should have been a close game looked like the home side were in for a torrid morning. After just 10 minutes play they found themselves 0 - 15 down conceding 3 tries through poor tackling. However Rishworthians steadied the ship and reduced the arrears with a converted try. Good work from Rishworthians forwards produced a series of drives up the field into the Roundhegians 22 when scrum half Ben Davies darted through from the base of a ruck for a try. Joe Garside added the conversion.

Minutes later Rishworthians closed the gap to 1 point when from the restart the forwards gathered the ball and powered their way forward deep into Roundhegians territory. Ben Davies released quick ball to his backs and big centre Tom Hammond broke through the opposition back line to score near the posts. Joe Garside added a simple conversion. Just before half time Rishworthians took the lead through their forwards. Now dominating the ruck and maul phases they again worked their way into the Roundhegians half for Harvey to power over but his try was disallowed for being held up, looked a perfectly good try to me, however following the scrum and a couple of drives Richard was able to force his way over. Joe Garside added the conversion.

Half time score Rishworthians 21 - 15 Roundhegians

The second half started with Roundhegians pressing the Rishworthian line looking for a score to retake the lead. However good turnover ball saw Rishworthians break out with good runs from the back line and well supported by the forwards. After a number of pick and drives Daniel Cooper was able to force his way over close to the touch line for an unconverted try. Rishworthians further extended their lead with more powerful forward play taking play into Roundhegians territory. A good drive and quick ruck ball gave Ben Davies time to release his backs and again the ball was fed to Tom Hammond in a switch move straight off the training field to allow him to crash through wide out for an unconverted try.

At 31 - 15 ahead the game looked to be in the bag for Rishworthians. With the Rishies winning the line outs easily and had very few difficulties in the scrum it was expect that the tries would continue. But a combination of complacency and a determined Roundhegians set up a nail biting last 10 minutes. Roundhegians pounded the Rishworthians line but superb defending held them out. But a series of penalties awarded against the home side eventually saw the try line breached wide out. The conversion was missed to give the home side a 31 - 20 lead. Further pressure from the restart saw Roundhegians up to the home 22 and launched a series of forward drives. Rishworthians defended doggedly but the visitors broke the line to score a converted try.

With the lead reduced to 31 - 27 there was still time for Roundhegians to snatch victory but Rishworthians held on to win an excellent game played in great spirit and had both sets of parents roundly applauding both teams off the park. The game produced 5 tries a piece with Joe Garside converting 3 of the tries to Roundhegians one being the only difference between the teams. Lets hope the return game at Roundhegians is another exciting encounter.

Full time Rishworthians 31 - 27 Roundhegians

Man of the Match : Kyle Jamieson
Effort award Alex Ratcliffe

Click here to view Roundhegians website

Team
	1. J Radcliffe	2. K Jamieson	3. D Cooper T
6. Sturman				7.
	4. Bullough T		5. Gledhill
		8. J Garside C3
9. B Davies T
	10. H Keighley-Payne
		12. T Hammond T2
			13. Ratcliffe
11. Coup				14. Vaughan
		15.
Subs