Rishworthians U17 8 Moortown U17 0, match report, Rishworthians first double in the league

Old Rishworthians U17 13 - 8 Lymm U17

Rishworthians book a place in the Northern Division Plate Final

Match report National Plate Northern Division Semi Final Sunday 16th March
Rishworthians booked themselves a place in the National Plate Northern Division Final against Wirral who beat West Hartlepool 18 - 0 in their semi final game. A large crowd turned up at Copley to watch the under 17's and were treated to an intense and physical cup semi final with fast running rugby from both sides. After heavy rain early in the week the pitch was in near perfect condition to suit Rishworthians style of fast running rugby. Without second rows Anthony Oxley and Ben Robinson who were on a school trip Rishworthians had to re shuffle their pack moving Tom Clough up from back row to partner Rob Jennings and winger Ben Porritt moving to back row.

Rishworthians kicked off in what was to be an intense and physical cup semi final. Lymm starting the stronger of the two sides piled on the pressure playing a good kicking game and using their fast backs to great effect they forced Rishworthians to defend in their own half. With 5 minutes gone Rishworthians made their first break into Lymm territory and were rewarded with a penalty for hands in the ruck, Edward Cockroft took the kick putting the ball between the posts and Rishworthians 3 - 0 up. The game continued with each team showing strength in running with the ball and quick hands across the back line to open up the play, the pace of the game was fast and furious. Lymm again conceded a penalty this time for deliberate obstruction on their 40 metre line. Just about on Cockroft's limit he struck the ball sweetly and although accurate the ball fell just short.

Just over half way through the first half quick hands across the backs from Lymm saw them score try wide out to take the lead 3 -5, missing the conversion. Rishworthians rocked by the try fought back to retain the lead from the kick off. From a lineout the forwards formed a driving maul to push Lymm several metres back. The ball was spun out to Chappell, on to Stirk and Cockroft receiving the ball dodged past 3 Lymm defenders to score under the posts and convert. On the stroke of half time Rishworthians with their tails up were enjoying good period of pressure near the Lymm try line had a try disallowed when the referee deemed the ball to have been held up.

Half Time Old Rishworthians 10 – 5 Lymm

Rishworthians suffered a blow when Tom Clough was unable to continue due to an ankle injury reducing the home sides line out options. The second half was as entertaining as the first, both teams showing their physical side and quickness of hand. Both props, Brocklehurst and Gregory, put in good hitting runs up the middle and Redfern on the wing was given the ball a number of times to dash up the pitch to within metres of the opposition try line.

Rishworthians were then awarded a penalty for persistently being pulled down in the line out and Cockroft again showed his accuracy when the ball went over the posts to give a 13 - 5 lead. Rishworthians were now more than a converted try in front but there were still 20 minutes on the clock. Lymm never gave up, they pinned Rishworthians in their own half for long spells and with 10 minutes to go were awarded a penalty for offside. Their kicker put the points on the board and they were back in contention at 13 - 8.

Lymm had nothing to lose now and threw everything at Rishworthians who in turn defended stoically, Flanagan pulling the opposition down a number of times. With 2 minutes on the clock it looked like Lymm were to get a try when they took a quick free kick 5 metres out and passed across their backs but Rishworthians were determined to keep them out. The referee called last play with a scrum near the Rishworthian line, the crowd cheered as Rishworthians won the scrum and kicking the ball out, to be followed by the referee’s final whistle and victory. It was a fabulous match with both teams giving 100 %. Lymm played a very physical game but Rishworthians responded just as well. The tension in the crowd was unbelievable and it wasn’t until the final whistle was blown that we could be sure we had the game in the bag. Well done boys. Everyone played out of their skins and all deserve to be man of the match - it therefore goes to the team.

Team	1 Brocklehurst	2 Fee	3 Gregory
6 Stirk				7 Porritt
	4 Jennings		5 Clough
		8 Costello
9 Cockroft T,C,P2
	10 Flanagan
		12 Chappell
			13 Hoyland
11 Redfern				14 Wood
		15 Ramsden
Subs	J Smalley, Kidd	Martin, Kiy

Rishworthians v Lymm Slideshow.
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Old Rishworthian RUFC are Registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Act 1965 No. 29834R