The Pirates arrived at Wharfedale’s ground all fired up by Fortress’s team talk (run forward, pass backwards, score!). However on arrival it was pretty evident that even these simple instructions would prove difficult to execute. There was a howling gail blowing freezing rain right up the pitch. The Pirates played into the wind in the 1st half, and Wharfedale’s experienced, gnarled pack played the conditions to perfection. Scott Stevenson made an early break, but whereas he would normally have scored, he was caught from behind and the move fizzled out. Vinny on the wing was attempting to play in a world record number of layers, including wearing his coat under his shirt. The Pirates pack battled manfully and the front row of Rory Gilbert, Dale Harland and Rob Edwards more than held their own at scrum time. Si Daly and Death made and stopped many hard yards and Tattooed Tom, Sidwell and Russ battled manfully at the breakdown. ‘Dale were awarded a penalty an the half way line which they nonchalantly slotted over 3-0. The Pirates tried to run into the gail, and wingers Greg Minikin and Vinny made good ground when the ball actually reached them. ‘Dale then won a 5m lineout and their pack ground out a converted try. 10-0. Scotty was then double tackled in the midfield and had to leave the field with a broken collar bone. The Pirates spirits visibly dropped at this, and ‘Dale scored a couple more forward tries making it 20-0 at half time.

The Pirates now had the wind at their backs and had plenty of territory, but their kicking was not as effective as ‘Dales had been in the 1st half. Liam Clarke moved to No 10 but just could not get any change out of determined opposition. The weather was now so extreme that full back Lewis Minikin has to leave the fields as his feet went numb and started to swell up! On 60 mins the Pirates put some phases together and created a try out wide for Greg Minikin. 20-5. ‘Dale’s mighty pack then closed the game down with effective ball retention and excellent control in spite of the conditions. When branches started snapping off on the trees round the ground, the Pirates got the message that this was not to be their day.

Congratulations to Wharfedale, deserved winners of the Trophy, however it was such a shame that the game had to be played in such terrible conditions.

Also congratulations to Fortress who has had a wonderful 2 years as captain, moulding the Pirates into a force to be reckoned with.

On leaving Wharfedale’s clubhouse, the day was summed up by a duck spotted swimming on the 25 meter line!