Yorkshire 1 beckons for Moor Road Men

Wath upon Dearne RUFC secure promotion to Yorkshire 1 in final game of the season.

At the start of the season everyone at Wath Upon Dearne RUFC struggled to imagine how the success of 2010-2011 could be beaten. But we’ve done it! For the second consecutive season Wath 1st XV have gained promotion, this time to the pinnacle of the Yorkshire Leagues, oh and there was the small matter of a national final at Twickenham. Burrows men completed yet another amazing season on Saturday as they secured promotion away at West Leeds. Wath had to win to ensure they were promoted over Bradford Salem and away from home it was always going to be tough.

Wath dominated the early exchanges. The young West Leeds 10 looked to test the Wath back three of Adam West, Small and Barratt but they were up to the task and Barratt was the first to make real inroads into the Leeds half. However as is often the case Wath were caught napping early on. The West Leeds impressive outside centre took advantage of some sloppy defending around the ruck to race over for a great individual try. Wath fought back immediately, a pinpoint re-start kick from Mason saw Hooker John Ball charge towards the line, he was brought down 10 metres out and Leeds were penalised in the ensuing ruck. Barratt slotted the penalty to bring the scores to 3-7. The yo-yoing nature of the game continued as the Leeds wing broke out wide, however young Fly Half Ashley Rothery chased back and turned over the ball. Wath remained patient and moved the ball wide; Mason broke the defensive line and set the ball up for a number of charging runs by the Wath pack. Under pressure Leeds conceded a penalty to bring the scores to 6-7. Wath were enjoying much of the possession and territory but it became the ever increasing pattern that ball was spilled at key moments. As Wath appeared to be trying to over think their play a number of opportunities were spurned. Lock Richard Hill burst through the Leeds midfield and showed a surprising turn of pace but again sloppy handling in the ensuing moves meant nothing came of it. It was Captain Burrows who would settle things down, as he has done all season, he surged through an attempted tackle and headed towards the line. With defenders chasing he passed to John Ball who charged within metres of the line, Wath recycled the ball quickly and Burrows cut a great angle to race over for the first Wath try. Prop Dean Hardcastle was next to make an impact as destructive runs by him and Hill threatened the West Leeds side. However Wath were dealt a blow when open side Steve Wesson was sin binned for a technical offence. Leeds brought the scores to 13-10 from the resulting penalty. Despite the man disadvantage the half would end with Wath on top, Myers, Burrows and Ball in the thick of the action. Half time score 13-10.

Into the second half and Wath had to try to cut out the mistakes to secure the vital win. Barratt sent a kick deep into the Leeds half, and aided by a fortunate bounce Wath found themselves 5 metres from the try line. Hill beat the Leeds jumper to the throw in and Wath set up a powerful maul. As ever lock Simon Lines had his hands on the ball at the back and dotted down. Wath would enjoy the vast majority of possession and territory in the second half but again poor execution cost them at times. Centre Steve Mason got within inches of scoring after a powerful hand off saw him clear but in the play that followed Hardcastle was Yellow carded. Once again with a man disadvantage Burrows men kept the pressure on, blindside Joe Earp proving difficult to bring to ground, and from one such run Wath were awarded a penalty which Barratt duly slotted. The impressive Leeds 13 moved to scrum half and broke from inside his own half. Leeds remained patient and the forwards grabbed a well worked try in the corner. West Leeds looked to be staging a comeback as the winger broke outwide, however Adam West raced from the opposite touchline and produced a try saving cover tackle. Wath won the ball back and Rothery set off on a jinky run, Ball was in support and continued the move. Wath played a number of phases before Burrows spotted half a gap and went over celebrating his 22nd try of the season with a rubbish attempt at an Ashton-dive. 26-17 to the Moor Road men. Wath kept the pressure on as West Leeds looked to run the ball from their own 22 but replacement wing Tom Quinn turned the ball over 5 metres out. Wath set up a maul and Myers looked to have scored but in the attempted grounding was penalised for double movement. Wath had a penalty from the maul however and scrum half Bartlett took it quickly. The ball was moved down the line and with a 2 man overlap Adam West cruised over for the final try of the season as the full time whistle went. Final score 33-17. Hooker John Ball was awarded the man of the match, his work rate was monumental and he was constantly in the thick of the action.

Wath Upon Dearne RUFC celebrated yet another amazing season, promotion for the second consecutive year and a national final appearance at Twickenham. Burrows again led his men in applause to the large number of travelling Wath supporters and everyone celebrated into the night. A big thankyou to West Leeds for their hospitality after the game, a great bunch of lads. Wath now take a well-earned rest after such a long season but have the small matter of the presentation night next week, for a final bout of Chelsea Dagger dancing in the 2012 season. A tough pre-season is ahead as the lads enter Yorkshire 1. Finally a big thankyou to all players, volunteers, coaches and supporters for your efforts in another outstanding year for Wath upon Dearne RUFC.