BEES FLYING START TO 2018

Bees U12’s took a 12 man squad yesterday to Baildon for a 3 way game with other local foes, Skipton. After the festive break and a training session coupled with some soul searching, there was a massive improvement in the team’s self belief which paid dividends and warmed the crowd and supporting parents on a bitter January day.
The conditions were heavy up at Jenny Lane, and in the first match, Bees, skippered by our own speed king Charlie Savage, took on Baildon. Bees were uphill in the first half, and the game got off to a promising start with Harry securing some good early ball. Bees absorbed a lot of early Baildon pressure, but managed not to leak early soft tries, which has been an unfortunate trait pre-Christmas. There were some fine early tackles from new kid on the block, James, and our team Galatico, Fernando. Baildon managed to score a tidy try after a fine passing sequence, and the Bees weren’t too despondent to be one try down at half time mindful they weren’t just playing Baildon, but the slope and prevailing wind also.

After the half time pep-talk, the second half got off to a storming start with a huge kick downfield which was followed up by none other than the Flying Beesman, namely Charlie, who whistled in for a try in the right hand corner. After the re-start there was a lovely passing move which led to the Beesman going in for his second try and all of a sudden Baildon were on the ropes. It was heartwarming in the conditions to see the lads battling away and there were some fine drives from Nathan and our Challenger Tank personified, Curley. Jake DW had some deft handling moves in the centre of the park to add to the Baildon confusion. In the closing moments, Bees were pinned back under intense Baildon pressure which resulted in a roll-over try making the score 2-2.

Bees fought back sniffing out the win, and the Beesman got his hat-trick after a scintillating handling sequence by Curley and Flynn, another newcomer who has well and truly bolstered the ranks. In the dying seconds, Baildon created an overlap which led to the final try of the game and a 3-3 result. Great effort and great improvement by all.

In the second match, Bees without a break, faced a bigger team in the shape of Skipton. The first half got off in a stop-start fashion. There was a fine drive on by Curley, and some fearless tackles from Harry and Thomas DB. Skipton had the art of rucking off to a fine art, and two quick tries followed in their favour. Tiredness was starting to set in, and tackles started to slip. Skipton got a third try after which a good Bees scrum led to a valiant attack upfield, the Beesman was despatched, however he hit the buffers on this occasion, but great territory was made. This sustained pressure led to a close range battering-ram try for Curley, which Skipton would’ve been foolish to get in the way of! Half time 3-1 to Skipton.
The second half got off to a scrappy start, with some frustrating errors. There was an increase in effort however with Ismail and George F toiling away like their lives depended on it. Harry, Curley and Josh made some barraging runs in midfield and Bees got themselves within sight of the line. Another scrum gave Bees valuable metres and after further pressure from Flynn and Josh, Nathan scored a well deserved try. Skipton replied with an unopposed try from their no.10. The excitement was evident from the vocal support on the sidelines, and a kick, chase and tackle by Charlie gave Bees territory once more. Charlie was unlucky not to get another try in the dying seconds of the game, but he was outnumbered 4 to 1 and he acknowledged the fact that he was tackled well, albeit getting winded in the process. Skipton played fair and square till the end and came out on top 5 tries to 2 winners.

The Bees U12’s can take immense credit from these games and it proved what a great side they can be now we have greater resources and talent available.

Congratulations to newcomer Flynn on his well deserved Man of the Match award and to George Fryers for his Best Attitude award.
WELL DONE LADS!