Yorkshire Cup Preliminary Round

That’s ALL GAMES won with NO tries conceded by Harrogate Under 11’s in the Preliminary round of the Yorkshire Cup!
A fantastic full squad effort, with 100% commitment all over the pitch resulted in domination by Harrogate in all matches.
Wetherby were first to fall, with Harrogate brushing off their usual slow start routine to win by 3 tries and 2 conversions: first try came from Angus Reid after a pick up and off-load from Jonathan Ashman; second try was by Callum Cardwell when he dropped on the ball from a poor clearance kick; third try to round off was from Jacques Haddleton after a kick and chase from George Hampson. Hampson and Andrew Normand scored the resulting conversions.
Selby then proved tougher opposition in the second game, with Harrogate getting revenge for a recent defeat in winning 1 try and 1 conversion to nil. After Ashman was held up short, Haddleton scored his second of the day with Normand converting. Some super rugby ensued form both sides, with great defence and tackling by Harrogate, their forwards in particular giving the opposition no time to settle on the ball- always in the thick of the action were Joe Smith, Dan Stott and Robert Woods up front with Hugo Tasker breaking the line at centre and Angus Reid tackling as if his life depended on it.
After a short break, Wensleydale went down 5 tries and 5 conversions to nil in a one-sided encounter. Pick of the tries came from a Normand solo, weaving run and Ashman running onto a ‘crash ball’ pass from Hampson after a ‘scissors’ move between the fly half and scrum half (straight off the training ground!). Hampson with 2 other tries and a fine wing run and touchdown by Henry Lennon gave 5 in total, with Freddie Wright making some fine runs in the back line.
Game 4 against Ripon gave a 2try /2 conversion to nil score: Haddleton again stealing the ball after good forward pressure and Reid with a superb low pick up from a long pass the scorers. Hampson added the extras in conversions.
York also put up a strong fight in game 5, but by now Harrogate were on a roll, playing confident rugby. Normand scored from a short distance out after more strong forward rucking and Hampson converted.
Final game saw ‘Gate beat Guisborough by 3 tries and 2 conversions with Fraser Kitching and Aiden Hutchins picking up their first scores with great wide runs on respective wings and Hampson converting.

Total score: 15 tries/13 conversions v 0 against.

Match Report by Stewart Normand