After we finally found their new ground, and got warmed up, the Bulldogs were straight into action. Wetherby took the first six, and used them well. The U9's again demonstrating that one of their strong points is their powerful running.
The platform for the first try had been set with some good straight driving from Oliver Sinfield and Harry Mason. With the defence still reeling from Jay Benecke first surging run, quick hands saw Mackenzie Scurr spot the gap for the opening score.
Methley replied with their big guns. However they hadn't reckoned on some strong tackling from Oliver Field and Jay. In fact it was a good improved performance in defence from the Bulldogs, as they regularly held out the Warriors. Methley did get onto the score sheet though, when after taking it wide they found space in the corner. Unfortunately though Wetherby have got some strong runners. Connor Durkin showed why it was good to have him back as he almost made it round the whole of Methley into the corner. Wetherby took full advantage of the ground gained by Connor, as Danny Dexter took the ball from Jay and jinked over for the second score. Methley had some talented players but they were repeatedly stopped by Oliver Field, Mackenzie and Jay. The big tacklers were ably assisted with some stirling work from Max Taylor and Sam Reid. In fact in only his second game for the club, Sam is showing himself to be a good find, as again a strong performance saw him pick up most improved player. Sam was very unlucky on Wetherbys’ next drive not to run the length of the pitch, just a foot in touch stopped him from scoring.
The game carried on like that, tenacious tackling from Wetherby followed by some twisting runs and decent scores. There were some excellent solo tries from Connor and Mackenzie, combined with some powerful runs from Jay and Oliver Field. They even had time to turn on the style, when in the second half the "halifax" move was called. With dummy runners Danny and Mackenzie causing confusion in the Methley defence, Oliver Field almost got through for a well worked score. Methley did get a couple of scores later on Declan proving a handful, but the combined work rate of the two Oliver’s, Jay and Mackenzie meant that the result was never in doubt. Late tries for Danny, Jay and Mackenzie meant the game finished a very impressive Methley 3 Wetherby 8.

Opposition Man of the Match = Sam Reid
Parents Man of the Match = Mackenzie Scurr
Most Attacking Player = Jay Benecke
Most Defensive Player = Oliver Field
Most Improved Player = Sam Reid


report by Damian Dexter