U13 Blyth vs York (Away - Tour)

How refreshing to see the U13 York lads looking full of energy and ready for some rugby. More than can be said for some of the parents. Where to start?

With Mr Harrison of course. Having blagged the credit for organising the fixture (it was really our beloved Team Manager who sorted it out), he had still not offered any rational explanation for how the “arrangements” for meeting up on Saturday had been abandoned without letting anyone know; no point in actually turning up at the agreed time and place as some of us did – because it had all been changed apparently. Having then run around screaming like a girl for a couple of hours during paintball (rather than the highly trained and drilled front line soldier than he is), he unleashed a cheap shot at the easy target of Mr Robson’s proffered posterior (granted it is a large and easy target); I am reliably informed that Mr Robson will be seeking retribution at a future time of his choosing.

Not that that was the only cheap shot of the afternoon, as poor Tom was taken out by a scurrilous pellet from the weapon of his father; again I am sure that Tom will seek his revenge in due course. Possibly on one of those numerous occasions when his father spends the evening out sociably sleeping.

Mr Barker had rather foolishly come dressed in a very fine white shirt for paintballing; pristine white it was. At least it was until the moment the passengers and assorted dogs in his car relieved themselves of their lunches all over it; of course he tried to pass it off as the height of fashion “au sud de la France”. But no, dear reader it did indeed look like a tie dye wet wipe. You could see the moist green eyes of jealousy and covetousness behind Mr Stevens shades (ridiculous eyewear for paintballing I might add).

A special note of thank you then for the efforts of Mr Harrison in organising the weekend (well the bits that Mr Barker didn’t do for him); a remarkable success in fact – Morrisons loss is our gain……..
Well done to Henry and Samuel for coming to see everyone on Saturday evening, and putting on the video show; a fine selection of accompanying musical tracks from DJ Gowland. And a special mention for the players who contributed to the U13 success this season, but for various reasons were not able to join the rest of the lads for the weekend; hopefully next year.

So it was with some sore bodies and aching heads that we assembled at our hosts ground for the first game. Sixteen players available for selection.

It was decided to play 3 games of 20mins each way. First up was Blyth vs York.

On with the Game.

Game 1 - Blyth

First Half

York kick-off and Blyth knock-on at their 10m line. Scrum to York which they win. York Forwards drive a maul 10m up to the Blyth 22m line. York get another scrum at the Blyth 22m line, which they win. Barney and Joe get an attacking move going, and then Andre sets a pass off along the Back. Thomas runs the ball in at the corner to open the scoring (0-5); no conversion.

Blyth restart. York penalised for holding on in the ruck at their 22m line, but Blyth can’t capitalise on the advantage and knock-on in the attack. Scrum to York at their 22m line, is won, but Blyth win the ball back and sent an attack towards the York try-line. Fortunately Thomas stops the break, and soon after makes a great solo effort to carry the ball all the way to the Blyth 10m line. The ball unfortunately goes into touch, and Blyth get the first line-out at their 10m line, which they win. York force an infringement though, and get a penalty to start another attack going. This time Ben cleverly kicks the ball low and bouncing through the Blyth defence, with several York players (led by Barney) chasing it as it rolls close to the Blyth try-line. York get a scrum 5m out, which they win and Will S comes off the back of it to nearly get through, but the ball is held up. York scrum again at 5m out, but Blyth push early and York now get a penalty. It’s fired in passes along the line of Backs and Thomas scores again (0-10) Will K converts (0-12).

Blyth restart and Will S runs it back to the Blyth 10m line; York unfortunately knock-on though. Blyth get the scrum, then a penalty, to break back into the York half. Another scrum to Blyth at half-way, which they win. Good tackles firstly by Andre and then by Thomas around the York 22m line to stop the Blyth attack. Penalty to York, and then some good rucking by the Forwards at the York 10m line. York applying good pressure now, as Blyth are twice more penalised and this allows York to move play into the Blyth half. York get a line-out at the Blyth 22m line, but it’s not straight so Blyth get a scrum, which they win. York gain the advantage back though as they are awarded a penalty (pushing by Blyth off the ball), and kick it to touch 10m from the Blyth try-line. A nicely executed line-out by York Forwards and the ball is fired across field along the Backs for Barney to run it into the corner (0-19); no conversion. Half Time.

Second Half

Blyth kick-off the second half and York knock-on, so it’s a scrum to Blyth at the York 10m line, which they win. York regain the ball through with some determined rucking, and Tom makes a great run up the pitch all the way to the Blyth 22m line. A couple of penalties awarded to York, but they can’t get through the Blyth defence with several attempts. Finally Barney finds a way through for his second try of the day (0-22); no conversion.

Blyth restart, but play is quickly back in their own territory as Leo makes a terrific run of half the pitch, right up to the Blyth 22m line, with good support by Matthew and Will K. Blyth awarded a penalty though to relieve the York pressure, and kick the ball to touch around their 10m line. Blyth win their line-out, but good rucking by York wins the ball back; Will K passes the ball to Matthew who nearly gets through to score, then Will K himself takes it over the line (0-27) ; no conversion.

Blyth restart, and there is a period of close contesting by both sides around the half-way line. York get a scrum at the Blyth 10m line, which they win but knock-on. Scrum to Blyth then, which they win, and are then awarded a penalty. Blyth kick to touch, and take their line-out around half-way. The ball’s not straight though, so York get the scrum, which they win. To no avail, as Blyth are awarded a penalty at half-way and try to press the advantage. York defending well, and push them back into their own half. The scrum to Blyth at their 10m line is won, and play moves back into the York half. Another period of closely fought play, as both sides try to gain the upper hand around the York 10m line. It looks as though Blyth are going to score as the ball is kicked beyond the York defence and chased. Ben dashes back though and gets to it first. Blyth piling the pressure on and York defending stoutly until the final whistle.

Final Score Blyth 0-27 York

Congratulations to both sides for a hard fought, tiring, and good-spirited game. Great support and encouragement from both sets of supporters.

York grab a quick drink before getting ready for their next game against Aireborough.