A stern test

It was great to get back playing today and we knew it was going to be a stern test because we heard on the rugby vine that Baildon had recruited some new players. Sure enough they came at us right from the start and we were slow off the mark in the forwards despite a well taken try from Jacko. They came back with a try and but for their missed conversion there was nothing in it. With nearly all our usual front row missing today the hard work in the pack was left to Kyle, Charlie and the Twins alternating as Hooker. At this point Charlie suffered what we think was a dislocated finger and had to come off. Thank fully it popped straight back in and he retired with nothing more than the pain of a swollen hand and finger. We then had to move both Twins into the front row and the forwards seemed to step up a gear with Big Will and Will Hopper in the second row. However, Baildon scored another try and took the lead 7 points to 10.

After that I can’t remember the order of play because it was all too tense but Ruh scored a well taken try, making the score 10 points to our 12. I think Byron was next to score which he skilfully converted using the wind to drift the ball through the posts and we extended our score to 10 points to 19.

At half time JAM replaced Nicky at scrum-half, who had a solid performance and is improving every game. JAM carried on in the same manner in the second half. Following half time, Baildon came back strong with another converted try which took the score 17 points to 19. Our lads created a couple of good opportunities. Henry fed some decent passes to Byron and Ruh, both of whom had good runs which, with the right decision at the time may have given others scoring chances. Jack Wild ran from deep and looped but never got on the receiving end of the ball. It is good to see the lads thinking this way and it will come with experience. Then Kyle produced a rampaging run crashing through one defender and got caught by the next but managed to off-load a great pass to Will McCallum who raced away for a try……17 points to 24, Byron just missed the conversion in a swirling wind.

Baildon scored again, much to Tom’s dislike exercising his right to talk to the referee, and only just missed the conversion so it was 22 points to 24. Soon after this Jarred took a heavy tackle and we now know he sustained a broken arm after some hard yards before that. The next 15 minutes saw our lads defend brilliantly and cope very well with the unforced and forced player changes. Jay replaced Sam, who also had a very solid game, and Jay went on to make a try saving tackle. Harry and Lewis came into the second row, both tackling well and making more hard yards. Will Hopper stepped in as hooker and Rhys propped with sublime rucking from Jack Corrin earning him Man of the match award this week.

Finally, with 2 minutes to go the coaches and parental stress was relieved when Will McCallum scored a try. I’m sorry I can’t remember how it was created and I’m sorry if I have not mentioned everybody but you all dug deep today and played very well, eventually ! Massive credit to Baildon who stuck at it to the very end and were totally hospitable afterwards, as always. Final score Baildon 22 Bees 29.

Simon please can you put the report on the website if you get chance.

Best wishes to Jarred for a speedy recovery and to Ryan, his big brother who injured his knee in the U16’s game. Line of the day has to go to Rhys claiming he was the last man standing…….just you wait until your brothers are better and see if you are still standing then !