Yorkshire U17s Cup Final at Pontefract 11/5/08

Doncaster 15  Middlesbrough 15  (Doncaster win on more tries scored)

Despite the temperature being in the mid 20s centigrade the pitch was in perfect condition and easily took a stud. Doncaster lost the toss and Middlesbrough chose to play up the slight hill in the first half with Doncaster to kickoff.

The tone was set immediately from the kickoff with a thumping Doncaster tackle and the ball was scrambled to touch for a Doncaster lineout. However the lineout was lost and Middlesbrough attacked through the backs from deep in their half and with some fine handling and good pace scored after only 1 minute of play. The conversion was made and Doncaster were 7 – 0 down! Doncaster returned to the fray and piled on the pressure. From a slightly wayward Middlesbrough clearance kick James Holland set off on a powerful run of over 40m and was just stopped short of the Middlesbrough try line. The support was on hand from Lee Wallace who plunged over in the corner. The conversion was missed but Doncaster were back in the game.

The game settled down to a fairly even battle with neither of the two big packs able to dominate. With ten minutes to half time Middlesbrough produced another excellent backs move from their own half (maybe there was a hint of crossing) and scored in a similar position to their first try. This time the conversion was missed. Doncaster’s tactics of trying to play their rugby in the Middlesbrough half was well served by the fly half and centres accurate kicks deep into opposition territory. On the stroke of half time under more Doncaster pressure Middlesbrough conceded a penalty which was put into touch 10m from the Middlesbrough try line. A catch and drive was set up which was not contested by Middlesbrough who were appealing for obstruction. They failed to contest the drive with the necessary player and Doncaster were awarded their second try scored by Joe Pickets.

12 – 10 down at half time on a baking hot day facing having to play up the slight hill cannot have been easy for the Doncaster players to contemplate. Their performance in the second half showed what physical and mental reserves they had. With Doncaster’s lineout constantly disrupting Middlesbrough possession Middlesbrough were restricted to a single penalty. Chances were few in the second half until five minutes from time when a chip ahead caused confusion in the Middlesbrough defence, Doncaster surged through turned the ball over and Lewis Thiede drove over for the third Doncaster try. The conversion was missed but Doncaster were in the winning position as they had scored three tries to two from Middlesbrough. Despite a spirited last few minutes from Middlesbrough they could not conjure up a score and Doncaster were declared the winners.

This is this age groups sixth county final in the last seven years stretching back to the U11s. It was a delight for the whole age group in what was the last match they will play together for the junior section at Doncaster.

Match Day Squad

Ollie Bloor, Sam Brady, Seb Donk, Rob Fathers, Matt Goss, Michael Hall (c), Rory Hetherington, Josh Hickman, Simon Honey, James Holland, Matt Lowcock, Joe Pickets, Jared Risley-Jones,  Will Robinson, James Smallman Paul Steadman, Lewis Thiede, Matt Walker, Lee Wallace.

<< Back To News

Other News Articles

TOURNAMENT RESULTS
PGB UNDERWAY
PHOENIX TWICKENHAM DVD
ARCO TAG TOURNAMENT