Comfortable win for U 15s

Neither team managed to build up much of a head of steam in the early part of the game as the referee’s whistle signalled a number of infringements by both sides. Wetherby were making some powerful runs but the Bees back row were keeping them at bay. Wetherby too were tackling well; our backs, normally so incisive, were not making much headway. The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the game, when Joe Bashforth peeled away from the back of a Bees scrum to beat a couple of men and make ground towards the Wetherby line. Will Rix was in support and a good offload saw Will cross for the first try of the game, converted by Nick Gore to take the score to 0-7.
The game continued to be a little disjointed as the referee blew for infringements on both sides. A penalty awarded to Wetherby gave them a chance to go on the offensive but good spoiling from the Bees forwards (second rows Will Rix and Liam Hagerty were providing good resistance) allowed Bees to reclaim possession and the ball found its way to Matty Dilworth. A trademark run from Matty and a feed inside to Joe Bashforth breached the Wetherby defences. With only the full back left, Joe passed out to Ryan Wilson to complete the simplest of tries, again converted by Nick to take the score to 0-14 at half time.
A good kick off by Wetherby hung over the 10m line and Wetherby were able to come away with the ball but more good spoiling by the Bees forwards and possession was back with Bees. A kick over the top by Nick Gore was well chased down by Jack Meggitt, who won a 5m scrum for Bees. Lewis Brook picked and drove from the back to cross for a third converted try and the score was 0-21.
Maybe frustrated by the score, Wetherby upped the ante, resulting in one or two heated exchanges. A Wetherby scrum and a blind side run allowed their No 10 in for a home try, which was converted taking the score to 7-21. Bees response was immediate. From the kick off, Bees won a scrum deep in the Wetherby 22 and a repeat of the third try saw Lewis Brook cross the line once more and the score was 7-26. Not finished yet though, the home side took the game back to Bees, who conceded a couple of soft penalties, which Wetherby capitalised on for their second try. Again, an immediate response from the Bees and they looked about to register a fifth try when the referee blew for the end of the game.
This was another good win for the lads as they prepare for next week’s big game. Maybe thoughts of that game combined with the long journey to Wetherby conspired to making this a somewhat lack-lustre performance; nevertheless Bees never looked like losing this one. The team adapted well to the conditions – when the backs failed to break through by slinging the ball wide, the forwards took it on through the middle and exposed weaknesses in this area of the Wetherby defence; all of the Bees tries came from runs through the middle. The back row players were instrumental in this tactic and they were ably supported by all members of the pack. Will Rix deserves a mention, not only for his try but for the way he is putting himself about. Lots of good defence by Bees, Nick Gore made a couple of great tackles and prop forward Calum Glenister put in a cracker. The best however, came from talisman full-back Harry Ellison. Not content to just stop the man, Harry picked up the Wetherby attacker and carried him 10 metres before the Wetherby pack managed to halt him.