Blowing down the Dale.....

It’s always difficult to write up the performance of 5 Harrogate teams at a non-competitive festival that strictly asked the referees not to keep scores – but I’ll give it a bash…..

Wensleydale were the hosts on a day that the rain and wind chose to hurtle down the dale into their not very well protected club – nonetheless they did a great job of organising things on the morning and our thanks to Jim for his abilities and patience. Anyone who has organised sports events will know only to well how frustrating it is when teams drop out at last minute, arrive with too many or too few – but these guys took it in their relaxed stride and put things together to suit those that turned up!

The outcome was a fun morning for the children and a playing program that was compressed to get through the matches before the weather really got going!! As always all 25 Harrogate boys gave their all in the matches, and whilst scores weren’t officially kept – I can accurately report that we won the vast majority and lost only 2 of the 20 we played with 1 draw. If there had been a trophy up for grabs, I’m sure it would have been residing in Claro Road for the next year…..

Its impossible to single out all the boys in these match reports (we do try where possible as we know they like to see their names in lights!!) but on this occasion a big thanks should go to the mums/dads/grannies/grandpas/brothers/sisters etc that made the trip up to Wensleydale to support. It is always further than you think.

The festivals are a great experience for the boys to play different teams and usually there is a competition aspect that they also enjoy – towards the back end of the season we will be looking to take teams to as many of the Yorkshire festivals as we can and hopefully the parental support will still be as keen to attend!!

Well done to all for a great morning of rugby and our collective thanks to Wensleydale for their hospitality.

Duncan