Old Yardleians RFC: Club News
TWICKENHAM IS ONE STEP CLOSER !
Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:08
The carrot being dangled in front of the Old Yards team is a place in the final of the RFU Junior Vase competition. Saturday saw the Shirley based team, with a large group of vocal supporters following them, make the trip to Northamptonshire to play a Brackley team that just like the Old Yards was undefeated so far this season in cup and league. This meant that one of the teams would finish the game disappointed. As often happens in cup games of this sort, neither team is prepared to take risks and a war of attrition takes over. It soon became apparent that the visitors were slightly stronger in most departments including fitness and speed and it was the visitors Jake White who kicked a penalty to open the scoring.This was soon followed by a try in the corner following a kick and chase with Ys winger James Hendrick being first to touch down. The Yards back division was starting to show some promising touches and from a well-rehearsed move an overlap was created allowing Hendrick to score another try which with the conversion gave the Ys a half time lead of 15-0.
From the start of the second half it became clear that the hosts were not going to give up the fight. They displayed a lot of grit and determination and were rewarded when their flanker scored a try which with the conversion reduced the lead to 8 points. The Yards defence was fully tested but the Brackley team lacked variation in attack and failed to add to their tally.
The last 15-20 minutes saw considerable frustration creep into the game with both teams suffering from refereeing decisions that were a little puzzling at times. Brackley were pinned in their own 22 meter area for most of the remaining time with attempts to run the ball out proving futile. The only score that came in the final minutes of the game was a penalty slotted over for the Ys by the reliable White. The final score of 18-7 to the Tilehouse Lane club was just about deserved but both teams knew that they had been in a real battle. This coming saturday sees a return to league action with Yards at home to Coventry Welsh.
Other results from last weekend saw the Yards Development XV lose by a single point 17-18 to Old Sills whilst on sunday the under 17s defeated Ledbury 45-20 with Tre'rail Peters scoring another 3 tries.
Minis and Juniors
Our younger performers continue to make good progress and as news reports arrive I shall try to get them to you.
All age groups did us proud on Sunday at KN, I think we've now got
a mini's section that can truly compete, although if anybody can magic up some
U8's that would fill our only obvious gap!
U9's Match
Report
Match Day squad: Alex (Birthday Boy), Caylem, Charlie,
Dan E, Dan G, Damon, Ellis, Lewis, Presley, Tristan.
For a non-competive
pre season training session, it all felt a lot like a tournament as our new crop
of U9's turned out for their first appearance in an Old Y's
shirt.
OLD Y's 3 - 5 Woodrush
First up our old
adversaries, Woodrush. A very tight a nervy game, understandable as all boys
take their first steps into the world of contact rugby. The boys played well and
demonstrated that they have been listening in our training sessions, they ran
forward and they made sure when they had the ball, they kept it. The first half
brought our first points after a lovely set piece move involving Charlie, Caylum
and Lewis who sent the ball one way creating the gap for Presley to charge
straight for the line to score the first of his two tries in the match with Dan
adding a third. Some excellent tackling by Damon stopped Woodrush from scoring
on a couple of occassions and we were satisfied with our overall performance and
felt sure we would build on the narrow defeat.
Kings Norton 4 - 4 Old
Y's
Alex's mum pointed out that it was Alex's birthday, and as he
crossed the line in the corner he was promised a present from the touch line,
which of course focussed his attention and quickly brought up his second. Dan G
covered a lot of ground, some of it forwards, with Ellis and Caylum both showing
good skills at taking the ball forward and avoiding the attention of the Kings
Norton tacklers. Damon followed in his Fathers footsteps crashing through the
midfield taking route 1 to the try line followed by his second using the same
route straight up the middle! A well earned draw was the result of an even
match against KN.
Woodrush 3 - 3 Old Y's
Getting into the
swing of it now, the ball moved through hands, with Lewis and Ellis combining
well to send Caylem over for his first try, and Tristan, Damon and Presley all
showing off their new found skills, tackling the Woodrush players, stopping them
from going forward. Tristan and Presley's 'attacking' defense showed that you
can make ground even without the ball if you make the opposition go
backwards, with Damon also tackling really well, round the legs and making sure
the tackles were made. Charlie set up the next present for Alex, and both Dan's
(G&E) carried the ball forward for Damon to finish off, another honourable
draw, and improvement all the time.
Old Y's 7 - 7 King's
Norton
After a break for a burger, we regrouped and everyone was
getting stuck in, Dan E marching up the touch line, Dan G and Tristan swerving
and dodging, Lewis, Damon and Presley all taking the direct route forwards,
Ellis, Charlie, Caylum and Alex making some great runs from the breakdown.
The floodgates opened in the last game with Alex (2), Dan G, Damon (2), Charlie,
Ellis and Lewis all touching down to keep Old Yards firmly in touch with
KN.
A fantastic performance by eveyone, 4 weeks into a contact rugby
career, we couldn't have asked any more of our fabulous U9's
Old Yards Social Scene
Pat and helpers and all of us who came along had a great night of comedy. The 3 comedians were top quality and Pat deserved her drink as did the 'Farmer' she brought along with her.
Next up will be the Quiz Night on wednesday 31st Oct from 7.00 Teams of maximum 6 players at £2 per head. Yes, I do know that it is Halloweens night and yes that was the whole idea.
Fixtures this weekend
Saturday First XV v Coventry Welsh Home League
Dev XV v Bridgnorth Away
Vandals v Aston Old Eds Home Merit
Sunday Under 7 v Redditch Home
Under 8 v Redditch Home
Under 10 v Redditch Away
Under 9 Training
Under 17 Training