Minis report at thirsk 13/12/09
Under 13's show great promise
The under 13's travelled to Thirsk for a mini tournament with Thirsk and Wheatley Hill for what was their first real games of the season. Due to some players not being available, the side included a number of under 12's. As the side has only just come together this season and included a number of inexperienced players, not much was expected. However, to the great pleasure of the coaches and travelling supporters alike, they more than matched both sides with the forwards gelling well and in each game putting the opposition time and time again on the back foot.
Wheatley Hills had a number of regional players in their team and were a well trained unit but Whitby's passion made up for their lack of experience with the forwards led by Crossling doing the hard graft with Reeves constantly being first to the break down and securing the 50/50 balls. A draw would have been a fair result after Milson had scored and Husband had converted to level the game at 7-7. However, in the last few minutes Wheatley Hill were able to take a quick penalty resulting in one of their players bulldozing over for a try making the result 14 -7. Man of the match George Reeves.
Thirsk as ever were a well organized team with some powerful backs who for most of the match were kept at bay by some good tackling from Whitby's backline. Again the forwards showed the type of committment the coaches can only dream about in practice sessions and with the more experienced Kelly,Crossling and Reeves showing good technical play,Swallwell and Wards were able to link and made a number of breaks gaining useful yardage. With such good forward play, the half backs were able to create the space for Millson. With a try by Husband and a couple by Millson with conversions by Green,Whitby thought they had won the game with the score 19-7 with only a couple of minutes to go. However, the game turned on it's head when Millson had to leave the field injured.
Thirsk backs took heart and after they scored, decisions began going against Whitby.The Thirsk referee found some extra minutes and Thirsk were allowed to score in the last play of the game slotting the conversion to win 21-19. Man of the match Leo Wards.
Rugby is team game and all of the players (not just those mentioned) can be proud of how they played. Man of tournament Ben Millson
