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Wensleydale Match report
michael scherdel10 Dec 2024 - 17:13
Tough day at the office, No quitters.
At height of Storm Darragh Wath travelled 80 north to play Wensleydale, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Conditions were “difficult”, as a gale blew directly down the pitch carrying intermittent showers in temperatures just above freezing.
The home side, playing against the wind scored first, accepting a penalty a directly in front of the Wath posts after 5 minutes, to take a 3-0 lead. Wath replied with a penalty by Jack Whitlam, judging the wind perfectly, to level the score 3-3, after 10 minutes.
Wensleydale took an 8-3 lead after 20 minutes with a try from close range, but the conversion stood no chance from the touchline, into the gale.
A superb individual try by stand off Whitlam, kicking through the opponents backs and following up to touch down, under the sticks, put Wath ahead 8- 10, following his own conversion. Another well judged penalty before half time by Whitlam put the visitors 8-13 ahead at the break.
The hosts regained the lead15-13 when a miss pass put their centre into a gap and he scored under the posts to enable an easy conversion.
Wath fought back well and from a series of phases near their opponent’s line Jake Keogh proved unstoppable and crossed the Wensleydale line, Whitlam’s kick stalled in the wind but Wath were back in front 15-18, after 50 minutes.
Dominating the score board in the last 20 minutes the home side added three tries all from close range. The final try came in the last minutes when following a 5 metre lineout and all 30 players got involved in the maul and Wensleydale eventually crossed Wath’s line to complete their win 32-18.
Without four of their outstanding youngsters who were forced to withdraw due to Yorkshire U20’s trials Wath put up an outstandingly tough performance but finally succumbed to their opponent’s power and knowledge of the pitch and conditions.
Man of Steel was centre Pat Selkirk who stepped in as scrum half due to unavailability of three club scrum halves, due to illness and injury. His performance showed great skill, determination and bravery. A special mention must go to coach Carl Mortimer, coming out of retirement to play a 15 minute cameo from the bench.
The home side, playing against the wind scored first, accepting a penalty a directly in front of the Wath posts after 5 minutes, to take a 3-0 lead. Wath replied with a penalty by Jack Whitlam, judging the wind perfectly, to level the score 3-3, after 10 minutes.
Wensleydale took an 8-3 lead after 20 minutes with a try from close range, but the conversion stood no chance from the touchline, into the gale.
A superb individual try by stand off Whitlam, kicking through the opponents backs and following up to touch down, under the sticks, put Wath ahead 8- 10, following his own conversion. Another well judged penalty before half time by Whitlam put the visitors 8-13 ahead at the break.
The hosts regained the lead15-13 when a miss pass put their centre into a gap and he scored under the posts to enable an easy conversion.
Wath fought back well and from a series of phases near their opponent’s line Jake Keogh proved unstoppable and crossed the Wensleydale line, Whitlam’s kick stalled in the wind but Wath were back in front 15-18, after 50 minutes.
Dominating the score board in the last 20 minutes the home side added three tries all from close range. The final try came in the last minutes when following a 5 metre lineout and all 30 players got involved in the maul and Wensleydale eventually crossed Wath’s line to complete their win 32-18.
Without four of their outstanding youngsters who were forced to withdraw due to Yorkshire U20’s trials Wath put up an outstandingly tough performance but finally succumbed to their opponent’s power and knowledge of the pitch and conditions.
Man of Steel was centre Pat Selkirk who stepped in as scrum half due to unavailability of three club scrum halves, due to illness and injury. His performance showed great skill, determination and bravery. A special mention must go to coach Carl Mortimer, coming out of retirement to play a 15 minute cameo from the bench.
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