SEMI-FINAL OF THE YORKSHIRE CUP FOR U16 SIDES

DONCASTER  VERSUS WHITBY

PLAYED ON SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2010

RESULT – DONCASTER 27 – WHITBY 10

If you weren’t there then you missed a superb game. Far better than watching England play! Both sides played fast, open rugby. The Whitby pack although about half a stone lighter per man matched Doncaster in every aspect of the game. Scrums were won against the head, in the line-outs Whitby won all their throw-ins bar one and took ball off Doncaster on their throw-ins. The backs on both sides took every opportunity to run with the ball and by half time Doncaster were leading 17- 10. The second half was just as exciting as the first but Doncaster made two breaks which resulted in tries. When the final whistle blew most of the players were out on their feet. It was a great match, watched by an enthusiastic crowd, on Doncaster Knights First XV pitch – awesome in itself. The final score was Doncaster 27 – Whitby 10. Well done Whitby, we could not have asked more from any of our players.

Following the game there has been sundry correspondence between the Clubs, all of which is pertinent to the way the game was played.

Whitby to Doncaster – “Great day’s rugby – far better than watching England play! We wish you well in the Final. Please thank all at Doncaster for the warm welcome, the support during the game and the appreciative send-off” – Kit Sismey for Whitby

Doncaster to Whitby – “I hope your boys are all OK with no lasting injuries. We all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and it was a fantastic advertisement for junior rugby in Yorkshire. How about us coming to Whitby for the final game of the season?”                 Peter Houghton – Junior Fixtures Secretary for Doncaster

Doncaster to Whitby – “ Your team are a credit to you and looked to play some good open rugby. They made our boys work really hard for the win. I thought the game was a credit to Under 16s rugby, and well deserving of a semi-final. I hope your boys enjoyed playing on the Knights 1^st XV pitch; that was actually our first time too. It was good to have a good referee, I don’t know if you know who he is? Robin Goodliffe is more usually seen on the TV officiating in the Guiness Premiership and the Heineken Cup. Yesterday it was either going to the Northampton v Gloucester in the LV Cup, or us! In the other semi-final Otley beat Old Brods 14 – 10, so that will be a tough final for us! Maybe we could arrange a trip to you at the end of the season if you have any available Sundays? Best wishes for the rest of the season”                Neil Fisher – Lead coach for Doncaster U16s

Whitby to Doncaster – “I have alredy been in touch with Peter Houghton about the possibilty of a game at Whitby before the end of the season. For sometime now we have been arranging to have our changing rooms brought up to date and I have been informed today that the work will start in April 2010! Regretably this means that we will not be able to entertain any visiting sides after this week-end. This is a shame because it would have been a great occasion for Whitby to have the opportunity of playing against one of our country’s leading clubs.”             Kit Sismey for Whitby

Doncaster to Whitby – “In a world of bad behavior in sport I would like to congratulate your U16 side not only because of their fantastic play on the pitch this week-end in the Yorkshire Cup semi-final. Your side’s behavior was exemplary both on and off the field, as were your coaches and parents. I would like to thank Whitby club for the hardest and best spirited game of the season. I would like to thank Whitby Rugby Club for the game, they are a credit to their age group, club and to god’s own county – Yorkshire”                                          Gary Hill – Doncaster Head of Rugby

This game was very much a team effort but we should mention that our try scorer was Matt Dudman and Sam Webster converted this try and kicked a penalty goal. Every player played his part and for Whitby to get as far as the semi-finals in such a keenly fought competition is a credit to the Club. A lot of hard work has gone into this achievement, both by the players and their coaches. The work that Mat Webster has put in is prodigious. He and his support coaches Andy Dudman, Phil Wright and Grant Lenton are to be congratulated.