U16s into Semi Final of Yorkshire Bowl after 27 Point Win Over Doncaster

Yarnbury had already beaten Doncaster this season in a close fought away game, but as horrific conditions developed throughout the match, strong winds caused problems for both sides.

Yarnbury (15) 41
Doncaster (14) 14
Tries: Carter Proctor, Alex Koppany (2), James Longhawn, Edward Green (2), Joe Pilling
Cons: Maxwell Lee (3)

Yarnbury played against the wind in the first half but managed to come in at half time with a single point’s lead, and this is probably where the game was won, because in the second half conditions slightly worsened and Doncaster were unable to kick clear. Yarnbury attempted to play territory keeping the ball in the Doncaster half, and this led to an abundance of tries.

Yarnbury took the lead after 10 minutes when a set move following a scrum should have released Jamie Mcdonnell in the corner but the final passed was delayed for just too long resulting in the winger being pushed into touch. But Yarnbury were able to disrupt and steal the line out, allowing Carter Proctor to trundle over and score in the corner. The conversion was missed; 5-0. But following this Doncaster spent much of their time on the ball in the Yarnbury half and 22 due to the bad conditions. In the 16th minute Yarnbury had a scrum after a Doncaster knock on and after getting the ball out, attempted to kick clear. The ball only just made it out of the 22 and so could be ran back in, and a couple of phases later an overlap was created and Doncaster scored in the corner. The conversion was kicked and so Doncaster took the lead by 2 points. Yarnbury responded quickly though and soon after had another try of their own. Following the kick off Doncaster attempted to clear their lines but the kick was charged down and the ball bounced and was picked up brilliantly by Matt Schofield on half way. He beat the first man and charged into the 22 before being stopped, and a couple of pick and drives later Carter Proctor was over the line but held up. The ball was dug out of the ensuing scrum and Edward Green attempted to break the defence but it was Alex Koppany who delivered the killer blow. The conversion was missed; 10-7.

It was the 24th minute when the next set of points were added to the score board. Yarnbury had a lineout on half way that was taken well and after a couple of phases Yarnbury had made 30 meters due to good support play and handling. Jacob Rawson almost scored in the corner but was tackled short, however Doncaster were penalised for not releasing the tackle. The ball was kicked to the corner for a five meter line out that was caught well by Joe Pilling who set up the maul from which James Longhawn scored. The conversion was again missed but now Yarnbury had a two score lead; 15-7. There was to be one more score before half time and it would go to Doncaster who had now perfected their territory game and were using the conditions to their advantage. Yarnbury were forced into kicking clear from their 22, due to immense pressure being put on them. The kick was caught by the Doncaster full back who could then run back into the 22, and after Yarnbury were penalised for an infringement at the breakdown, the penalty could be taken quickly and passed wide for a try to be scored in the corner. The conversion was kicked; half time Yarnbury 15-14 Doncaster.

Now playing with the wind behind them, Yarnbury made sure that the majority of the second half was played in Doncaster’s 22, through well placed kicks. After seeing the damage that kicking against the wind had done for Yarnbury in the first half, Doncaster attempted to regularly run the ball out of their 22, but in the 7th minute of the half, were turned over. Yarnbury could then send the ball wide to Josh Dunn who took the contact even with Jacob Rawson outside him, but recycled and Alex Koppany could reach for the line to score his second. Maxwell Lee kicked the conversion and Yarnbury restored their 8 point lead. 3 minutes later Yarnbury scored again, this time they made their way up to the Doncaster 22 with ball in hand after breaking up field thanks to good support play again. Once in the 22 gaps in the defence started to form as Doncaster couldn’t regather and keep their shape, allowing Edward Green to run through and score. The conversion was missed this time; 27-14. Doncaster fought hard following this score but were unable to peg Yarnbury back thanks to some great last ditch defensive work as players began to tire. One of their forwards was on the receiving end of three missed tackles and in the end looked certain to score, but Matt Schofield came across to make a superb tap tackle which then led to a knock on. James Longhawn stopped a try in the making minutes later when he was able to make a turn over and win a penalty for Doncaster not realising the ball, on his own try line.

Following this little flutter in the Yarnbury 22, the game was put to bed as Doncaster conceded 2 more tries before full time. After returning to the Doncaster 22 and playing territory like they had done previously Yarnbury were able to exploit gaps in a tired Doncaster defence. Keenan Dixon-Dyer was released by some great hands and after spinning round 2 players should have scored in the corner but knocked. However the Doncaster fly half repeated the gesture once the ball had come out of the scrum. Joe Pilling saw a gap and broke from the base of the scrum to score near the posts. Maxwell Lee converted and Yarnbury had a 20 point lead with minutes left. Yarnbury scored 1 more try after Jamie Mcdonnell broke up to the line before knocking on. The scrum was won against the head though and the ball could be passed to Edward Green who broke through and scored under the posts untouched. The conversion was kicked, Full Time Yarnbury 41-14 Doncaster.

Yarnbury: Matt Schofield, Jamie Mcdonnell, Josh Dunn, Edward Green (capt), Jacob Rawson, Oscar Andrews, Maxwell Lee, Carter Proctor, James Longhawn, Luke Woodend, Ruiari Daly, Alex Koppany, Sam Brown, Joe Birchall, Joe Pilling

Replacements: Saman Azari, Dan Mitchell, Leo Mercer, Jack Brownridge, Keenan Dixon-Dyer

Man of the Match: Alex Koppany, 2 well finished tries along with some brilliant tackling and breakdown work merited the award.