Aire-Wharfe Plate Final
Our near neighbours Skipton were formed in 1874 by the then Member of Parliament Matthew Wilson Bart. They won the Yorkshire Cup three times between 1903 and 1912. Their ground Sandylands, adjacent to the cricket ground, is a well-known venue which has hosted many important county matches, events and weddings. My short term involvement was when Harry Crabtree asked me to help with the coaching, even though he knew that North Ribblesdale was the Club at which I started.
Skipton kicked off with the strong wind in their favour and Wharfedale were immediately awarded a penalty, which was to be an unfortunate aspect of the match as both sides were continually at odds with the referee. A run from our 10 yard line by Oli Bullock, beating many tacklers on the way, resulted in a try under the posts. The swirling wind caused the conversion attempt by the usually immaculate Will Slater to veer off line. 0-5. Archie Brewster caught the restart and Jack Middleton found touch on the left. A Dan Benson burst caused havoc as Henry Ellison and Bullock supported him. A penalty just short of the line led to havoc and Ellison proved unstoppable. The wind again caused the conversion attempt to drift wide. 0-10. Wharfedale were adjudged to be off side a minute later and the impressive Michael Tam kicked the penalty for Skipton’s only points of the match. 3-10. A yellow card for a high tackle by Luke Craven caused little disruption to the Greens’ effort. The Skipton scrum was proving powerful and eventually a penalty was kicked to 20 yards, another penalty was awarded and a scrum taken but the danger was averted when Olly Hall burst clear. More penalties were exchanged and Wharfedale ended the half held up on the Skipton line. The home side’s defence had held up impressively and as a result the lengthy 50 minute half ended with no addition to the score.
Wharfedale now had the huge wind advantage so Skipton were to find it very tough. They did, however, start the second half promisingly with early possession, but inaccuracy due to Wharfedale’s stout defence and then Bullock and Slater bursting down the right followed by Snowden and Hall edging towards the line put a atop to their progress. Good work by Brewster led to Henry Ellison’s first try. 3-15. A kick ahead to 35 metres out followed by a burst by Josh Nkwo looked promising and yet another penalty against the Greens for coming in at the side saw Skipton kicking well into the wind followed by excellent line out work by Ed Harrison, but their maul was held up.
A yellow card for Skipton’s Craig Spencer helped the Greens’ cause and great work followed by Craven, Middleton and Hill. Slater’s penalty from 10 metres out found touch. Oli Bullock crossed for a try, which was converted by Slater to make the score 3-22. Two more yellow cards followed for Charlie Brown of Skipton and Rob Baldwin of Wharfedale. Use of the favourable wind ended with Ellison crossing for the third time and a second conversion for Slater making the final score 3-29 and a convincing win for the visitors.
Skipton had made a game of it untilthe end, but once again Wharfedale showed that they have an abundance of young talent well led by the old stager Baldwin!
We thank Skipton for their hospitality. It was great to see such a large crowd to witness an open game which never looked totally one-sided. Sandylands is now an impressive venue with so many different sports on offer and excellent parking. We all enjoyed the evening despite the chilly conditions.
John Clark
TEAMS
Wharfedale: - 1. Henry Ellison, 2. Harry Lancaster, 3. Philip Hall, 4. Zach Phillip, 5. Dan Benson (captain), 6. Fin Brewster, 7. Matthew Snowden, 8. Rob Baldwin, 9. Oli Bullock, 10. Jack Middleton, 11.Olly Hall, 12. Luke Craven, 13. Charlie Caygill, 14. Owen Bullock, 15. Will Slater.
16. Nathan Clayton, 17. Will Hargreaves, 18. Archie Brewster, 19. Jack Kitching, 20. Dave Charnley, 21. Ian Walker.
Skipton: - 1. Craig Spencer, 2. Charlie Brown,3. Steve Carroll, 4. Harry Maltby, 5. Harry McEneaney, 6. Jordan Wilson, 7. Ed Harrison, 8. Alex Bowdler, 9. Michael Tam, 10. Josh Nkwo (captain), 11. Louis Tarleton, 12. Ben Barstow, 13. Miles Tetley, 14. Jake Barrett, 15. Hamish Munro.
16. Jarrett Lord, 17. Malcolm Dutton, 18. Rick Wilsher, 19. Joe Moorhouse, 20. Anthony Chapman, 21. Andy Maclean.
