Rishworthians progress to Bowl semi-final in a close fought game

Match report Sunday 24th January Yorkshire Bowl 1st round
Rishworthian and Scarborough U16s met for the first time in the Yorkshire Bowl competition and both sides came out with considerable credit by producing a competitive, highly entertaining and closely fought game.

One would have expected some rustiness bearing in mind it was the first competitive fixture for either side since early December, however both were into the paces immediately with no side effects from the long layoff. The early exchanges suggested little quarter would be given by either side with some tough tackling and generally defences on top. This was a pattern continued for the rest of the game with try scoring chances limted in a game well marshalled by local referee "legend" Glen Cockroft.

With no score from either side after 20 mins of abrasive action, it was only a converted Jack Ledgard penalty for offside, which gave the home side a 3-0 halftime lead. Ledgard, a recent addition to the district squad had an outstanding afternoon and was probably the difference between the two sides. Scarborough had the edge up front, although this was probably countered by a marginally better home threequarters. The fact there were no further scores in the first half was testament to some outstanding defensive work particularly from back row Josh Hope-Collins and scrum half Chris Cowey.

Half-time: Rishworthians 3 - 0 Scarborough

Rishworthians were quick off the mark in the second half and following a couple of good forward drives the Scarborough defence were sucked in and quick hands by replacement scrum half Josh Kelly allowed Ledgard to cross the whitewash for an unconverted try.

The Scarborough number 7 and captain, led by example in an authoritative performance, spurred the seasiders into a committed attacking force. A very kickable penalty for offside was turned down by the visitors on 55 minites and in hindsight this proved crucial to the final outcome. Eventually the Rishworth defence could not contain the waves of the seaside attack and a deserved try was scored out wide. The conversion went narrowly wide to give the home side a 8-5 lead which they managed to hold on to until the final whistle.

Both sides left the field to rapturous applause from both sets of spectators and can be rightly pleased at producing an outstanding, entertaining game of rugby.

Full-time: Rishworthians 8 - 5 Scarborough

Man of the Match: Josh Hope-Collins. Excellent performance he was eveywhere with outstanding defence and first to breakdowns.

Click here to view Scarborough

Team
	1. Fowles	2. Illingworth	3. Smart
6. Hope-Collins				7. Broadbent
	4. Zientek		5. Collett
		8. Seleznev
9. Cowey
	10. Ledgard T,P
		12. Hunt-Brown
			13. Watkins
11. Mansell				14. Bottomley
		15. Hayes
Subs
	Kelly	Percival