Match Reports
| Colts | Under 17s | Under 16s | Under 15s | Under 14s | Under 13s |
| Under 12s | Under 11s | Under 10s | Under 9s | Under 8s | Under 7s |
Under 14's
Wharfedale 22 - 29 Skipton
The U14s first match of the season saw them slip to a narrow defeat to local rivals Skipton in a gripping match which wasn't finally decided until the last few minutes. The home side got off to a disastrous start conceding the softest of tries within a minute of the kick off. However, this did have the effect of waking the team up, and some slow but consistent pressure from the forwards allowed David Messenger to break away from the pack on the 10 metre line to score a final individual try. Skipton came back and punished some sloppy Wharfedale defence with a second try, only for Josh Prell to score an equalising try after some good ‘Dale pressure play, again from the 10 metre line. Dan Benson kicked a good conversion to put Wharfedale ahead at the break.
The second half saw Skipton exploit the wind advantage to good effect and they pegged Wharfedale down in their 22 metre area for sustained periods. Josh Prell burst through the ranks to set up play for Wharfedale's third scored by Michael Barnes. Skipton then responded with two tries and a conversion and all looked lost for ‘Dale until Sam Heaton capitalised on some poor Skipton defending to score with minutes to spare. The gap was now only two points, but Skipton put the game beyond doubt with a final try just before the whistle.
11 th November, 2007
Wharfedale 27 Ilkley 15
To coin a cliché, this was a game of two halves. The windy conditions and biting cold made for a scrappy game, but Wharfedale were clearly in the ascendancy in the first half. Jake Lockwood scored two tries, the first a powerful solo drive from 25 metres out with the Ilkley pack hanging on his back, but unable to stop him crossing the line. Will Hall and Harry McEneaney scored fine, driving tries and Wharfedale were 20 – 0 up until the visitors scored a token response try right at the end of the first period. However, normal business was not resumed after the break and ‘Dale allowed Ilkley to claw their way back into the game with two more tries, and spent most of the half unable to move off their own 22 metre line. Another superb try by Jake Lockwood for his hatrick made the game reasonably safe to ensure a fourth victory in a row. But it wasn't the most convincing of wins
Wharfedale 19 Roundheigans 17
18th November 2007
In sub zero conditions the home side progressed to the next round of the Yorkshire plate with their best performance of the season so far. Early exchanges showed that the visitors meant business and with a heavier pack and a quick back line then the home side were on the defensive for the first 10 minutes which saw some breath taking tackling. Just when they had weathered the storm a speculative kick from defence by the visitors resulted in a brake away down the right which resulted in a try. From the kick off another speculative kick was caught by the full back who beat 4 defenders to increase the visitors lead 0-10. True grit then kicked in and the home side started to go through the phases and wear down their bigger opponents. Some fine close driving saw Jake Lockwood touch down to bring the scores back to 5-10. Then with half time looming a superb rolling maul saw Oliver Wild dart up the blind side and score out wide which Dan Benson converted to give the home side the lead at half time 12-10.
More or less straight from the kick off the visitors back line tore up the field and scored to regain the lead. The home side though were not to be undone and concerted pressure on the visitors line saw Sam Lund burrow through to retake the lead 19-17 with 9 mins remaining. There were still some heart stopping moments to contend with before the final whistle.
A good even contest and a shame that one side had to loose.
U14's Tour to Northamptonshire
26th & 27th April
The U14's rounded off their best season yet with a tour of Northamptonshire a hot bed of rugby. On the Saturday they played Towcestrians who had an equally good record for the season. Played in beautiful sunshine more suited to cricket than rugby both teams served up a feast of rugby with nothing spared. The home side who were markedly larger than the visitors started the stronger but fierce tackling from Harry Mc Eneaney and Sam Heaton them from breaking through. Some good breaks from David Messenger and James Maxfield kept the home side moving forward. Turning round at 0-0 the home side then had the elements with them and made good use with some good line kicks by Joshua Prell to pin the home side in their 22. With the visitors steadily cranking up the pressure the home side were rescued time and again as they turned over ball near their line and cleared. But the visitors kept coming back Matthew Hall broke from but was hauled down inches from the line. With the home side visibly wilting the final whistle came to their rescue. Final,score 0-0 a most unlikely score at rugby. The visitors were then treated to some excellent hospitality by the home team who also then joined them in the afternoon to watch Northampton crown as 1 st Div champions.
On the Sunday we travelled to Oundle rugby club to play a curtain raiser on their prize-giving day. Again up against larger opponents the visitors started poorly and the home side courtesy of their 6 foot winger were ahead 7-0. The visitor steadied and some good back work by Dan Benson saw Alex Kirwin making a half break into the home side 22. But the home side had their tails up and storm back down the pitch to increase their lead, which they then added to a few minutes later to make the scores 17-0. The visitors gradually found their feet and ground their way up field and Matthew Hall powered over to reduce the arrears at half time to 17-5.
The kick off for the second half saw Max Mountain make a crunching tackle on the receiver, which set the tone for the half. The visitors now had the bit between their teeth and Tom Jackson forced his way over to reduce the arrears with 10 minutes left to play. They then had 3 tries disallowed for some dubious decisions by the ref but with two minutes left Matt Hall once again picked up from close range to make the score 17-15. Dan Benson then had a pressure kick to tie the scores, which he calmly slotted. With the scores level the final whistle blew final score 17-17. Once again some excellent hospitality was enjoyed before the long trip home. All in all a terrific season and excellent tour well done to all concerned.
