U14's gritty win against Old Rishworthians in the rain

In conditions almost identical (wet) to when the teams last met in Yorkshire last season it was good to welcome Old Rishworthians on to the 1st XV pitch at Marl Pits. After Harrogate on Saturday could another team from across the Pennines take the spoils on the hallowed turf?

With a couple of key players absent there were a few positional changes from last week and a few nerves as well but the boys knuckled down in the incessant Rossendale wet. The visitors struck first with a well worked try after getting the better of the greasy ball in the opening minutes but this was soon countered by a Rossy try to level things.

From more Rishy's pressure a true contender for 'try of the season' came courtesy of Rossy stand-in 10 Cameron. A knock-on behind our line then a scrum taken against the head (well done pack) gave him a two-on-one with the Rishworthian winger but he didn't need the extra man and took the ball the full length of the pitch to score under the posts.

After half time Rishy's bigger pack continued to dominate the set pieces and rucks and not surprisingly led to a well worked try for them from a cross field kick. Both sides lost a bit of discipline and from a penalty in our own 22 the boys worked another long range score which sealed the win at the very last.

Both sides agreed that it was an excellent fixture making the best of the awful conditions. Thanks to Old Rishworthians for travelling, we'll see you again later in the season, parents and supporters for braving the worst of it.