Whitby Under 16 rugby    Sunday 8th November

Round Two of the Yorkshire Cup saw Whitby playing a physical side from Sandal in front of the largest crowd at the Showfield this season. Whitby started the strongest on the front foot from the kick off and after only 5 minutes Whitby were awarded a penalty which was converted by Sam Webster.But this only lit the fuse on what was to prove to be a very explosive match, some sloppy defending let Sandal's no.8 in to score a try,however this sparked a flare-up which saw a player from each team yellow carded and having to leave the field for 10 minutes.

Now the game became more physical, sporadic bouts of fighting and more off the ball incedents than Whitby have seen in any other match this season meant the referee and the linesmen needed eyes in the back of their heads to keep control of the game. Whitby appeared to keep their cool better and Alex Beaumont soon scored a try in the top corner which was converted by Sam Webster.

Not long after this Matt Dudman was deliberately tripped while heading for the line and the referee was still playing advantage for that when Alex Taylor was also tripped only steps from the try line and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which was converted .But the game boiled over again after a scrum and Sandal had a player sent off for fighting and the Whitby player was sent off for retaliation leaving both teams down to 14 men. In the last 10 minutes of the first half Sandal exerted sustained pressure on Whitby and only determined defending kept Sandal from scoring leaving the score at half time Whitby 17  Sandal 5

The second half started with both teams appearing to settle down and play some rugby and Whitby soon scored with Alex Beaumont receiving the ball from the half backs and running 60 metres down the pitch to score his second try. Unfortunately then Whitby started to lose their advantage and Sandal established dominance in the scrum pushing the Whitby forwards all over the field  only fine tackling by  Alex Taylor kept Sandal out But eventually Whitby's defence crumbled and Sandal scored 2 quick tries getting them right back into the game making the score Whitby 22  Sandal 15

The Whitby coaches made some changes and this brought fast results as Whitby forwards won the ball it passed through several players hands before finally reaching the hands of the pacey Joe Lenton who scored a try which was converted by Sam giving Whitby a much needed boost and restoring the home team's advantage Finally Whitby got a chance to play their free flowing rugby and just before the end Matt Dudman was rewarded for a fine game at scrum half by scoring the final try
Final Score  Whitby 36  Sandal 15

Man of the Match Connor Clennan  for a fine all round display of tackling and attacking on the wing.
This game turned into more of a battle that the showcase game of rugby which it could have been, the referee and linesmen had their hands full to control the game but Whitby deserved the win and now enter the third round
Try Scorers  Alex  Beaumont 2  Joe Lenton  Matt Dudman and a penalty try
Conversions  Sam Webster 4
Penalties   Sam Webster 1