Bowling 14s went into there National Cup 2nd Round game against Yorkshire League Divison 1 high-flyers York Acorn with there eyes wide, open knowing that they faced a tough encounter.
The team were full of confidence after there best performance of the season Against Ryland Sharks in round 1,but this was another step up in class.
Bowling had lost both Liam Walker (international Duty on Holiday )and hard tackling centre James Crabb (Knee Injury) So some changes to the team had to be made,Devon Gurney was recalled to the wing with Tom White moving to the Centre and Aza Levy playing for the 1st time at Scrum Half with Richard levien coming into the 2nd row.
The game started poorly for Bowling as we failed to return the kick off and were caught offside from which Acorn kicked the penalty 2-0 Acorn.
The team then seemed to settle down and started to play with a little more freedom and it wasnt long before Bowling made the pressure count Jack Taylor scoring but couldnt quite convert the try 4-2 Bowling.
The next score went to Acorn and with the try being converted made the score 8-4 Acorn,but bowling were quick to hit back,after some great work by the Forwards Aza Levy passed inside to the Barnstorming prop Steff Clarke-Wright to crash in at the side of the posts with Jack Taylor converting that made the score 10-8
With half-Time fast approaching Wests seemed to switch off and Acorn once again replied with a Converted try, which made the score at the break 14-10 Acorn.
In the Build up to Acorn try Mikey Cunliffe suffered which at first looked like a very bad back injury,so both teams were asked to return to the Dressing room.
After around a 45min break Mikey was taken away by ambulance. with both teams giving him a real sporting send off.(Mikey suffered a fractured jaw )
The break seemed to unsettle the home team and Acorn scored 2 trys,of which 1 was converted,it could have been more, but for the last ditch tackling of Man of the Match Todd Binns who was outstanding, Acorn 24-Bowling 10.
But unlike the Bowling of old this group of players are made of the right stuff and refused to give in and hit back with a try of there own, after some hard work by the forwards Aza Levy stepped inside 2 tacklers to score under the posts with Taylor adding the 2 Bowling 16 Acorn 24.
With Bowling fighting hard to get back on terms and both teams having worked so hard in Attack And Defence something had to give and it did While trying to find a gap in the defence Acorn managed to intercept a Bowling pass and race away ,with Binns again making a try saving tackle,but it only delayed the try being scored and converted Acorn 30 Bowling 16.
It would have been very easy to throw the Towel in But AGAIN the boys did the Coaches and Supporters Proud Fighting back with the ever willing Taylor Crossing for his 2nd try of the game the kick was missed Bowling 20 Acorn 30.
With the clock running down Bowling once again scored with a neat kick by Levy though the heart of the Acorn defence for Nathan Sparks to score out wide,Taylor Hitting the Convertion Bowling 26 Acorn 30.
That turned out to be the last score of the game.
Every player from both sides had given everything they had and could give no more.
A great advert for the junior game.
I would just like to give a few mentions Brad Peel (Coaches Award) worked so hard all match Aza Levy Top Tackler Joe Lumb always looking for an opening. ALL the Forwards work rate was outstanding,i know from speaking to some of the parents the next day there were some very Battered and Bruised bodies.
From a Coaches point of view You gave a top quality side a real fight played some top class rugby and you should be so proud of yourselves as i am of you.