U16s - Defeat against Guisborough

The temperature may have dropped a few degrees by the time the faithful lined the pitch but thankfully there had been the usual pork based butties and the hot drink of choice consumed in pre-match preparation. Well done to Claire H, it appears her 'trainees' have assumed the mantle with aplomb! Unfortunately there wasn't a great deal to warm the soul for the next hour or so.

A relatively depleted squad were up against the boys from Guisborough, injuries, illness and inter club loans meant that the bench was less packed than it has been of late. With previous encounters always being close affairs both teams would be looking forward to this fixture as one for a potential victory. Although the squad might have been a little thinner than normal there was still experience and enthusiasm across the park and from whistle to whistle all of the boys gave their all in whatever position they were asked to play. They came up against a well organised team who were prepared to move the ball around, but also take a direct route and it was in the narrow game that our boys played most of their rugby with powerful running from Josh B and Matty S typifying the work done by the forwards and the backs were attempting to make ground whenever possible with Ross B trying to stretch his legs and Danny W making a couple of good runs from the back. Todays Motm Chris P was showing all how its done, moving on to his opposite number with pace when they were in possession and stopping them in their tracks. The scrum was essentially bossed by our pack, but in what was one of the talking points of the day, the ref was closer to the play and made the decisions. By the time oranges were taken our boys were 14 down, but with the wind at their backs in the second half not all was lost.
As in the first half the luck just didn't go our way and along with the simple things also being made to look hard the boys were often in the driving seat but often something went wrong right at the last and the good work was undone. The boys did get rewarded for their efforts, with Harry E sprinting for the line to finish off in the corner and shortly after Josh B did what he has been doing all season making a burst for the line and taking half a dozen of the opposition with him. A much more even second half but unfortunately on the day the boys in blue and white came up against a better organised team, but as usual they gave their all and were certainly not disgraced in defeat.

A special mention to Daniel W-B and Aiden T, congratulations on being on the winning team!

Congratulations also to the boys, coaches and supporters of Guisborough for their part in an entertaining game.

Motm - Chris P - he thinks the games as well as playing it!
Penny - Chis B - Doh!!