Bees U12’s unsettle North Ribb in Settle!

Following on from last week’s heroics versus Cleck and Baildon, the U12’s ventured north up the A65 on a fine Sunday morning for the final game of the season. Boo-Hoo. As Ingleborough beckoned in the distance, the hardy Bees Flying Circus nipped off the A65 at Settle and parked up at North Ribblesdale RUFC.

A squad of 11 were available and Fernando the Galatico was appointed Skipper. All the lads were given their orders by the (still) Crocked Coaches and then it was out onto the paddock for a brisk warm up. We had Curley the Chieftain Tank back, but he appeared to be having some trouble firing up, which was soon remedied. Harry “Houdini” Whitehead managed yet another amazing illusion - disappearing a sausage buttie whilst juggling a ball out on the wing, quite a spectacle to witness to say the least. Even more amazing was the fact that the said buttie didn’t make a reappearance in the second half!

North Ribblesdale, the fine team they are, had a large squad in terms of availability of numbers to draft in at any given juncture. Bees were potentially up against it.
The hosts were reffing which gave Mega Watts a well deserved break on the touch line.
In the early exchanges, Bees got the upper hand in terms of territory and possession and any pressure from North Ribb was well and truly snuffed out. It was almost Christmas come early for the Crocked Coaches, Mega Watts and the Chief Editor as all the pieces of the rugby jigsaw finally fell into place. A jigsaw I may add, which has taken some years to assemble. A delightfully manufactured ball out of the back of a ruck, followed by a super interchange of passing sent the Flying Beesman on his way to open the Bees account. The speed he was moving he could’ve been in Carlisle by lunchtime. Next up, after some nice toil upfield with the grafters keeping possession, namely Nathan Boss Hogg and George F, led in turn to Curley the Chieftain Tank being in firing range for the line - over he went, with probably half of North Ribb team holding onto him for dear life. The North Ribb Groundstaff will have a long summer sorting that particular area of pitch out now the Tank has been all over it. All of a sudden the North Ribb lads knew this wasn’t the Bees of old (giggles, farting, sight-seeing and wondering what was on the post match menu) but a finely tuned rugby machine, playing some mesmeric rugby all over the park.

The entertainment continued with the speed merchants now - Jake Killer-Watts went on a death defying run which had the onlookers giddy with delight, whilst Galatico was up in support, caught the ball, sold a couple of outrageous dummies (Matador-Style) and then jinked over the line for a continuation of the try-fest. Ole! Ole! - what a score! Then another Bees stalwart, that safe as houses player which is George “Bite Yer Legs” Williams, scorched in for another virtuoso effort. As the first half came to a close, North Ribb managed to reply with a couple of tries, and the half ended 2-5 in favour of the visitors.

The half time saw the squad rush over to the Crocked Coaches as the half time interval wasn’t long enough for them to get to the squad - and most of the parents were due in work on the Monday! The team talk was all positive and the lads were reminded not to let the advantage slip in the second half.

The second half started in dramatic fashion. The ball was kicked off by North Ribb and it was caught by none other than the Laughing Assassin, Joe Smiler, who ran like the wind the entire length of the pitch to score an amazing solo effort - 2-6 to the Bees. The try was arguably the try of the season for the U12’s. However, there were still 19 minutes to go and no subs to call on. Fortunately, Bees were attacking down the slope this half, which made it far easier for the Tank’s caterpillar tracks. As the half wore on, there were valiant tackling efforts from Josh and Harry Houdini (sausage buttie still intact), which further dented North Ribb’s attempt at a comeback. They used their squad rotation system as Bees tired and managed to pull back another couple of tries. Bees skill, teamwork and communication however, coupled with the clock running down, meant Bees were victorious 4-6. The Warhorse Thomas DB was nearly as red as the hoops on his shirt as the ref blew his whistle for full time such was the effort he and the rest of the squad had expended into the game. Another great win. As Boss Hogg Senior stated after the game, it was a shame that this super standard of rugby hadn’t happened earlier in the season.

What it does mean however, is that the incumbent Bees U13’s squad show immense promise for season 2018-19. Roll on September, bring it on!
On behalf of the Crocked Coaches and Andy Mega Watts, a huge thank you to all the players and parents for their loyalty, support and love for this great game which is Rugby Union.

We now look forward to the forthcoming Awards Evening and the Parent’s “Bingley-Jolly-Peoples-Night-Out”.
Enjoy the DIY and Gardening over the summer - NOT!!

Yours in Rugby,

The Chief Editor 02.05.18