Wheatley 19 Wath 29

By Steve Corns

Great start to new season

Wath Start The Season with With A Win..

Wheatley Hills 19 Wath Upon Dearne 29

Wath travelled to Doncaster to play local rivals, Wheatley Hills, for the opening game of the new season. Having not met for many seasons due to Wheatley’s promotions, the two teams met in Yorkshire 2 following the home team’s relegation.

Wheatley dominated the first quarter of the game but a missed penalty left them unable to take advantage. A yellow card on 20 minutes for dangerous play at a line out reduced the home team to 14 men and Wath were able to take advantage. Powerful running from the forwards created space out wide and good handling in the backs gave Ashley Rothery just enough room to force his way over near the corner flag. An excellent conversion from the touchline by full back, Tom Quinn, gave Wath a 7 point lead. Wath continued to press and were awarded a penalty that allowed Quinn to add a further 3 points to make it 10- 0 to the visitors.

Back to their full compliment Wheatley played their way back into the game. Good interplay between forwards and backs found a gap in Wath’s defence and the home team closed the score to 7-10 following a converted try under the posts. Wath responded immediately and strong carries by the forwards resulted in a try by ex- Wheatley prop, Anthony Hamilton. Another conversion from out wide by Tom Quinn restored Wath’s advantage of 10 points as the whistle went for half time with the score 7-17.

The second half was a copy of the start of the first. Wheatley applied pressure but missed a penalty chance and, therefore, were unable to close the gap on the scoreboard. As Wath moved into the Wheatley 22 a pass from scrum half, Jim West, to brother, Adam, allowed him space to run in Wath’s third try. The difficult conversion drifted wide but the lead had increased to 22-7 to the away team.

The home team continued to show great spirit led by their No.8 and captain. His runs continued to test the Wath defence and he eventually created a Wheatley try and they got back into the game 14-22, following the easy conversion.

On 65 minutes an excellent backs’ move by Wath, instigated by debutant, Jack Jewell, at stand off was carried on with a powerful break by centre, Andy Hopkin. He was able to find opportunist, Adam West, who was on hand again to run in the bonus point try. The easy conversion by Quinn gave Wath a 29 -14 lead.

Wath appeared to be seeing the game out but Wheatley never gave up and their efforts were rewarded with an unconverted try in the last minute. As the referee blew to finish the game the score stood at 19-29. A very satisfying opening victory was the result of a great team effort by the reigning RFU Senior Vase Champions.

Steve Corns