SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR YORKSHIRE UNDER 17'S OVER CUMBRIA

[Honor James]

YORKSHIRE UNDER 17’S 38 - CUMBRIA UNDER 17’S 14

Yorkshire Under 17’s are back in contention for the BARLA Under 17’s County Tri Series after a seven try blast 38-14 victory over Cumbria after trailing 6-0 early in the first half. The win saw the ‘White Rose’ leapfrog over champions Lancashire, who also won their opening game, with a point’s difference of +23. It means that there will be fireworks at Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC on Sunday 4th November when Cumbria host Lancashire when they will be playing for pride and the ‘Red Rose only needs to draw to win their third consecutive championship. If you believe in miracles with pride if Cumbria wins by 47 points they will take the title.

Yorkshire produced a superb all-round team performance displayed in both attack and defence including a hat-trick from Lewis Lord (York Acorn), and centre Daniel Connell (West Bowling) was named as their player of the match. For Cumbria Theerapol Ritson (Ellenborough Rangers) performed heroically as the last line of defence with trying saving tackles as well as joining the attacking line on the times his side attacked Yorkshire especially in the first half.

Yorkshire got off to the brightest start with their pack and on the back of two quickfire penalties had an opening chance but lost the ball in a good position which saw a shade of what happened the previous week at Wigan. It was the home sides turn to concede back to back penalties and Cumbria’s Harry Brown (Dalton) knocked on in a great position.

Cumbria took the lead after Yorkshire had lost the ball from the scrum on seven minutes, following an angled grubber from Joe Bold (Egremont Rangers). The ball richoetted off a Yorkshire player in goal and the supporting Connor Wilson (Flimby) dropped on the loose ball to score and Bold added the extras. Yorkshire responded on the back of their pack that were making inroads with three tries in nine minutes to take the game by the scruff of the neck to lead 16-6.

On 13 minutes after Ritson had failed to hold a last tackle bomb Josh Hunter (Skirlaugh) was stopped short of the line, from the next play Jordan Gale (Oulton Raiders) found James Samme (Dewsbury Moor) who angled run saw him score to cut the lead to two points.

Although Gale knocked on from the restart three penalties six minutes later saw them drive downfield and Luke Robinson (West Bowling) drove spun and offloaded to Lord who went in under the posts for a six pointer for his side to gain the lead for the first time and that they were not to lose. On 22 minutes following another penalty Lord drove over from the play the ball from close range. Cumbria came back and Yorkshire had to defend well but on the half hour after back to back sets Cumbria moved the ball out wide for Brandon Moore (Ellenborough Rangers) to score. On half time Jack Taylor (West Bowling) was held by Ritson and Joe Hudson (Oulton Raiders) had a try chalked off for a forward pass.

In the opening minutes of the second half Yorkshire’s Shaun Allen (Oulton Raiders) had a great chance but overrun the ball but Cumbria countered on 42 minutes when they thought they had scored in the corner but the player had stood in touch in scoring.

Relieved Yorkshire went downfield after a superb 40 metre break by Connell who was superbly stopped by Ritson. From the quick play the ball Gale put a superb inside ball to Jack Lazenby (West Hull) and his fleeting footwork saw him skate over the tryline, Gayle surprisingly missed the conversion.

From the restart Yorkshires pack charged downfield and Lazenby was held again by Ritson but it didn’t matter as Cameron Bruce (Dewsbury Moor) burrowed over from the play the ball for a six pointer to make it 26-10. Yorkshire were getting all the ball, possession and territory and were in total command with only sporadic Cumbria attacking with Bold and Moore trying to get their side moving forward.

Ritson saved another certain try after a delightful back flipped pass by Connell to Connor Ballinger (Castleford Lock Lane) who looked at the corner flag before the former intervened. A further try had to come and did on 57 minutes after another Connell break and two tackles later he took the ball up again and sliced through the tiring Cumbria defence and eight minutes later they scored their final try following a Joe Hudson (Oulton Raiders) burst for the line, held he spun and offloaded to Lord who on his first touch returning to the action completed his treble.

With two minutes remaining Cumbria picked up a consolation try after Yorkshire failed to deal with a Moore crossfield bomb and the ball came out to Shane Toal (Ulverston) who scored in the corner.

YORKSHIRE UNDER 17’S: 1. Jack Lazenby (West Hull), 2. Connor Ballinger (Castleford Lock Lane), 3. Daniel Connell (West Bowling), 4. Jordan Whippey (Kings Cross Park), 5. Shaun Allen (Oulton Raiders), 6. George Lawler (West Hull), 7. Jordan Gale (Oulton Raiders), 8. Jack Taylor (West Bowling), 9. Lewis Lord (York Acorn), 10. Luke Robinson (West Bowling), 11. James Samme (Dewsbury Moor), 12. Josh Hunter (Skirlaugh), 13. Joe Hudson (Oulton Raiders). Subs: 14. Cameron Bruce (Dewsbury Moor), 15. Vinny Cross (Stanley Rangers), 16. Jack Mankel (West Hull), 17. Kieran Cassells (Hull Dockers).

Tries: Samme 13, Lord 19, 22, 65, Lazenby 43, Bruce 45, Connell 57

Goals: Gale 5/7

CUMBRIA UNDER 17’S: 1. Theerapol Ritson (Ellenborough Rangers), 2. Howard Rowley (Millom), 3. Luke Davison (Wath Brow Hornets), 4. Joe Hambley (Ulverston), 5. Harry Brown (Dalton), 6. Brandon Moore (Ellenborough Rangers), 7. Joe Bold (Egremont Rangers), 8. Brad Fearon (Ellenborough Rangers), 9. TomWilkinson (Ulverston), 10. James Porter (Ulverston), 11. Callum Farrer (Wath Brow Hornets), 12. Conner Wilson (Flimby), 13. Jake Spedding (Ulverston). Sub: 14. Cole Walker-Taylor (Wath Brow Hornets), 15. Shane Toal, (Ulverston), 16. Will Maher (Millom), 17. Jason Todd (Ellenborough Rangers).

Tries: Wilson 7, Moore 30, Toal 68,

Goals: Bold 1/3

Half-Time: 16-6

Men of the Match: Daniel Connell (Yorkshire), Theerapol Ritson (Cumbria)

Steve Manning

BARLA Media Manager