An early try by Kathryn Howells set York on their way as they led by thirty-three points to five at the interval before three further second half tries wrapped the game up for York. Showing maturity and not allowing themselves to buckle when under pressure from a challenging Wetherby side. Their threat to score kept them in the game but York were able to run home eight tries in total. Kicker Kira Lewis added six out of her eight conversions through the posts.

After much of Yorkshire was caught up in overnight rain, the rain clouds were still hanging over Wetherby’s heavy wet pitch as the teams ran out from the safety of the changing rooms. Led by captain Ruth Whitehead, York’s dominance paid off with three quick tries by Kathryn Howells, Nikki Gill and ‘first day back at the office’ Sarah Thalayasingam. This was all before Wetherby came back with their first score of the match following some intense pressure. This unfortunately lead to a team yellow card for the flanker, Becca Schofield. Her passion for the game never faltered in a match filled with hard tackles from both sides. (She was substituted late on following a really big shift.) Sadly, Meg Siddown’s appearance was unfortunately cut short by one of the hard tackles. We wish her well, as with the other players soon to be returning to match day games.

With Kathryn Howells having a stormer of a game, she soon grasped her second try of the game before scrum half Harriet Etchells scored a trade mark try of her own to go round under the posts. The kick was made straight forward off the laces of Kira Lewis. Keen to start again after the oranges, both Katheryn Howells and Harriet Etchells polished off some well worked moves to each score, with centre Meg Kerry also scoring off an afternoon of hitting the gain line. There could have been more tries, especially from lock forwards Georgina Roberts and Laura Young, whose pick and go from the ruck broke the Wetherby defence on numerous accounts but were unlucky not to.

My final credit, as I dry off, goes to Lewis Hannibal for his first outing today on the coaching team with the girls and to all those who travelled today to support the team in the wet - some old and some new faces, which is always pleasing to see.

Wetherby v York
Sun 13 Oct 2019
1. Kat Feetenby-Gare
2. Kira Lewis
3. Fiona Piercy
4. Georgina Roberts
5. Laura Young
6. Elizabeth Threadgall
7. Becca Schofield
8. Sarah Thalayasingam
9. Harriet Etchells
10. Ruth Whitehead
11. Nikki Gill
12. Meg Kerry
13. Robyn Davies
14. Helen McLean
15. Kathryn Howells
16. Becky Coultish
17. Daisy Whitwood
18. Meg Siddown

Final score 5 – 52
Scorers:
Tries:
Kathryn Howells 3
Nikki Gill 1
Sarah Thalayasingam 1
Harriet Etchells 2
Meg Kerry 1
Conversions:
Kira Lewis 6

York Back of the Match: Kathryn Howells
York Forward of the Match: Laura Young
Opposition Player of the Match: Kira Lewis
Match report by David Norman