The new season starts for the U13's - a step up to juniors

So the first match of the new season for the Under 13's was here against Morley.

The Maroons always give us a good test at our age group and today was no different, albeit with 14 players.

The Yarnbury boys had trained well leading up to this game and with 20 players available selection was always going to be a headache. Choosing from the usual protagonists with a couple of newbies with limited game time would be a difficult task.

With the starting line chosen, the boys took to the field with an air of optimism but still knowing there was a job to be done!

It was a bright start from the kick off by Horan starting the game at fly half, a change from his usual full back role, with McCormack moving to outside centre.
Some good flowing movement was rewarded with an early try out wide, Hyland beating the outside man to score with pace. A good start. As the game progressed the Morley pack had the upper hand, especially in the scrums but some fine rucking by Halliday allowed Yarnbury to regain possession. After some loose passing the ball was moved wide with Rowe squeezing in at the corner. 10 points to the good. Morley were struggling to make in roads and barely visited the Yarnbury half. A forced substitution to Hyland allowed Thorp to come on to the wing.By now the blue forwards were getting some momentum and but for a forward pass, Horan would have cruised over down the far centre channel. Unlucky to be pulled up by the ref, but the correct call.

Morley managed to pull a try back leaving the score at 10-5 with half time beckoning.

25 minutes halves were new to the team, but the summer fitness work was paying off as they finished the half well with Poole crashing over from short range. 15-5 to Yarnbury at Half time.

After a quick team talk from Horan senior, and the positive words from Oldridge senior, the teams were ready for the 2nd half albeit with some team changes to allow for positional changes for some and the subs to get game time.

The 2nd half started with both teams having chances, great defence by both preventing further scores.
Knowing the changes would take some time to bed in, Yarnbury marched up the field and earned a scrum 20 metres out. The ball was shipped to McCormack who was now back in preferred 10 position with Horan moving to his familiar role at full back. With a dummy and step the line opened up and he darted to the line for a great solo try. 20-5 to Yarnbury. At this point the boys thought the game was in the bag.
The Morley boys were having none of it. Some good forward play by the Maroons secured quick ball, and 2 passes later they were in at the corner after skinning the cover. 20-10
A few more substitutions were made to allow 2 of the less experienced boys to have a run and Hyland returning to the fray after recovering from his knock. As time was running out some swift movement by the Yarnbury backs allowed Rowe to free Hyland and give him a clear run to the line. 25-10. There were no further scores and the Yarnbury boys secured victory as the ref blue for full time.

It was a very good game with both sides having periods of dominance. Well played to Morley with only 2 subs.

Notable performances from Yarnbury: Bollon, Halliday, McCormack, Rowe, Hyland, Falkingham, Hussain, Oldridge, Hill

Plenty of things to work on in training but a great start to the season. Keighley away is next up...