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Sun 25 Mar 2012
Junior Colts U17's Ilkley
10
45
A proud end to the Junior Colts' season
Michael Coates27 Mar 2012 - 12:08
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Old Brod's U17's 10 v Ilkley U17's 45
Old Brod’s Junior Colts faced their toughest test so far this season when they played hosts to Ilkley in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup on Sunday. Ilkley, who are two divisions higher than Brod’s in the Junior Colts League, where taking no chances with this game and fielded a very big strong team. This did not daunt the youngsters from Woodhead, who knew they had nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Ilkley kicked off down the slope and the Brod’s lads showed straight away that they were not going to be a pushover with some determined play which took them well into their opponents half. Ilkley eventually turned over possession and showed how dangerous they can be when they passed the ball through several pairs of hands for their big No. 8 to score under the posts. Undeterred by this the Brod’s lads continued the pressure and eventually their pace and determination paid off when Ben Armitage crossed the line to score, unfortunately Chris Bell missed the conversion so Ilkey still held the lead, 5-7. Ilkley then found their feet and despite some fearless defending from Brod’s ran in three more tries to take a 5-24 lead into half time.
The team talk from coaches Gary Wilson and Neil “Shed” Sheard at half time obviously did the trick as the lads started the second half with renewed determination, not one backward step was taken and every Ilkley attack was met with some ferocious tackles. Eventually this pressure paid off when Chris Bell’s skilful handling opened up a gap which gave Greg Roper enough space to force himself over the line to score and keep Brod’s in the game at 10-24. Ilkley, despite looking tired after such a sustained attack, showed their class and finished off the game with three more tries to win 10-45 and go through to meet Guisborough in the next round of the competition. The Brod’s lads, who are predominantly from the U16’s, left the field with their heads held high knowing that, despite losing, they’d done their coaches and all Brodleian’s proud with their spirit and determination.
Ilkley kicked off down the slope and the Brod’s lads showed straight away that they were not going to be a pushover with some determined play which took them well into their opponents half. Ilkley eventually turned over possession and showed how dangerous they can be when they passed the ball through several pairs of hands for their big No. 8 to score under the posts. Undeterred by this the Brod’s lads continued the pressure and eventually their pace and determination paid off when Ben Armitage crossed the line to score, unfortunately Chris Bell missed the conversion so Ilkey still held the lead, 5-7. Ilkley then found their feet and despite some fearless defending from Brod’s ran in three more tries to take a 5-24 lead into half time.
The team talk from coaches Gary Wilson and Neil “Shed” Sheard at half time obviously did the trick as the lads started the second half with renewed determination, not one backward step was taken and every Ilkley attack was met with some ferocious tackles. Eventually this pressure paid off when Chris Bell’s skilful handling opened up a gap which gave Greg Roper enough space to force himself over the line to score and keep Brod’s in the game at 10-24. Ilkley, despite looking tired after such a sustained attack, showed their class and finished off the game with three more tries to win 10-45 and go through to meet Guisborough in the next round of the competition. The Brod’s lads, who are predominantly from the U16’s, left the field with their heads held high knowing that, despite losing, they’d done their coaches and all Brodleian’s proud with their spirit and determination.
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