Roundhegians 2nd's V Yarnbury Hornets Match Report

Roundhegians 2nds 15 - Yarnbury Hornets 28

Yarnbury first team had a week off from Rugby as a break in the league format meant a possible Yorkshire Shield cup game but opponents West Leeds were involved in the early stages of their National Competition which saw Yarnbury go to Twickenham last May so the second string Hornets side took centre stage at Roundhay. It was a chance to give a run out to wingers Ellis Gomersall and Rob Rigby who both figured in the Twickenham final last year but have been out of the senior side recently. Also young George Oldridge was given his chance at stand off to dictate the game.

Early Yarnbury pressure into the snow covered part of the pitch gave the first points to the Horsforth side with a confident penalty from Oldridge. which settled the Hornets against a strong ‘Hegians side containing several first team forwards who were able to disrupt the line out and put some pressure on the Hornets scrummage.

Yarnbury’s backs were at their most dangerous from the home sides kick out from defence and the first try came from Rob Rigby gathering a wayward kick to loop around the whole of the defence from left to right and score in the corner which gave Oldridge a difficult conversion which he narrowly missed. Promising full back Sam Cooper then showed his pace from another defensive kick. Gathering the kick on the full and running straight back at the outcoming defenders kicking into space and gathering his own kick on the full and making it to the line out wide left. Another conversion not made.

From an infringment at the break down on Andy Van Heel playing at No8 Roundhegians decided to get on the board and scrum half Alex Jones taking the three points.

Roundhegians started the most positively in the second half scoring a try through their bigger forwards making yards down the centre of the field. Number 8 David Wilson made it over the line despite several defenders trying hard to stop the try. At 10 –13 this spurred Yarnbury into action and George Oldridge penalty increased their lead and with good line kicks from the stand off Yarnbury were on the offensive in their opponents half of the field. Replacement centre Dave Jones back after a long absense hacked through a loose ball and scored near the posts for Oldridge to convert and then winger Ellis Gomersall made a characteristic run down the left knocking off defenders on his way to the line. Roundhegians captain had seen this source of danger earlier in the game and asked his defenders to get close to the mercurial winger but to no avail. With Gomersall and Rigby vying for a starting place at Heath in the league next Saturday competition is strong for the second half of the season at Yarnbury.

Roundhegians forwards managed to get on top with the changes made by the Horsforth side and scored a consolation try through right wing Alex Myambi. A good work out played in a good spirit by both sides.