Saturday 23 March - Wharfedale v Preston Grasshoppers (H) KO 2.00pm ...... Foresters v Scunthorpe 2nd XV (A) KO 3.00pm ------

Foresters 73-0 York 2nd XV

The Foresters put in an emphatic display of pace and power to overwhelm a spirited York side, scoring 11 tries in the process whilst, just as pleasingly for the coaches, not conceding a single score.

There were outstanding performances throughout the Wharfedale side, a brace of tries for Eddie Gill, Will Lawn and Tom Oakes and scores from Jake Parkinson, Jacob Taylor, Joe Fawcett, Sam Mason and Rory McNab, who also converted nine of the tries scoring twenty-three points in the game.

Rory personifies this year’s Foresters, a young talent in his first season of senior rugby he has grown in confidence and ambition as the year has progressed and on Saturday he was in his element; his distribution, kicking and game management were all excellent and he rounded it off with a superb individual try, showing pace and strength to beat a host of defenders.

There is talent throughout this impressive player group and more importantly there is a team spirit and togetherness that enhances and compounds individual skills.

Highlights included the first score in the first minute; started, continued and finished by flanker Joe Fawcett who made a strong break and run from his own half, then stole the ball in the tackle and finally chased a kick through from Will Lawn to score. Wharfedale’s scrum half had an excellent game. Will can sniff an opening when none seems available and his pace and power make him a back-row’s nightmare; they can’t target his half back partner when they have to attempt to curb Will’s enthusiasm.

The Green’s back division had a field day, making the most of the quality possession provided by their gritty young forward pack. It has been observed that in rugby the forwards decide who win the game and the backs by how much. Despite being less experienced and often much lighter than their opponents this Foresters eight are rarely bettered and will tough it out when required and show their skills and pace at the appropriate moment. This approach was typified during the game by second row Jacob Taylor. In the close exchanges he was a battering ram but the sight of him flying down the wing, beating opposition backs for pace and setting up a try for winger Tom Oakes, was a sight to behold.

The lineout worked well, with captain Tom Whyte in imperious form and the scrum held firm against a huge York pack. A great day at the office for Wharfedale’s piano shifters…

Coaches John Metcalfe, smiling for the second time this year, and Rob Burnett, have developed a talented side and the team is a special group of players. In this form they are a joy to watch and the club should be very proud to be represented by the 2018/19 Foresters.

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