U/13's Harrogate Festival

U/13’s Harrogate Festival
A dramatic change in the weather heralded a change in fortunes. Last week, shorts and tee-shirts, this week the northerly winds brought a return to winter! The Vale match was put to bed with what was to be a fantastic day enjoyed by all.
Everyone managed to navigate their way to the venue successfully (ours via the town centre and park run, twice!) The upside of being late, the gazebo was already erected... A very busy day lay ahead and some hard work in between. The matches were ten minutes each way with the try scorer drop kicking between the posts to speed things up. The first match was against the hosts, Harrogate. Gary couldn’t emphasise the importance of getting the first win under their belts enough. Inspirational pep talks from Craig Smith and Mary Glendinning prompting a round of applause from the other parents. What happened next shouldn’t have been a surprise, more a statement of what the team can do when at full strength, and in the right frame of mind. Louie and Brodie scoring converted tries before half time, 14 – 0. The momentum continued into the second half with Brodie adding two more, Bryn and Jack also getting on the score sheet. All six tries but one were converted, 40 – 0.
After a 45 minute rest the second match was against Leamington Spa. Mary once again stepped up to the plate with another inspirational talk that certainly hit the mark. Leamington’s depleted side due injury was bolstered by three Middlesbrough subs of substantial size. From the start the opposition pushed forwards aided by some silly Penrith missed tackles, within two minutes they had a converted try putting them seven points up. That was the last effective attack, solid defence and nearly all the pressure coming from a determined Penrith side. Brodie and Bryn bagged a brace each and Callum Campbell adding to the total, full time 33 – 7. Tougher opposition lay ahead and in the words of a wise man, Craig Smith, “Enjoy the moment”
The team had another decent rest period and a match against Middlesbrough. They had a large pack and backs with presence and ability. In the first few minutes Penrith had a kickable penalty, despite the coach’s guiding shouts of, “Points, points" Middlesbrough drew first blood with a try, but no indication as to whether the drop kick went between the posts! The lads dug in with solid rucking and good tackling keeping the opposition number 8 at bay. Brodie again made a great break and seemed sure to score down the left side, however, a last ditched tackle stopped him just short. Good support from the left wing Joe Newby, needed a simple pick up and dive over to equal the score. Both teams were well matched. At full time a shout to the referee to confirmed the score as 5 – 5.
Immediately following the Middlesbrough game there was a brief deliberation with match officials on the half way line. Penrith had made it into the semi-final but they had to play a rested Bolton side. Everyone felt it for the boys, it just didn’t seem right. They were tired and would certainly have benefited from a rest period. No-one moaned (with the exception of the parents) they just got on with it. Bolton again had presence in the forwards and backs, and were well organised. Within 8 minutes they were 10 nil up with some of our boys flagging. Bolton were dominating the territory and we were living off of scraps. In the second half Penrith pulled a try back, 5 – 10. On another successful drive towards the line, Bolton’s number 8 was tackled short of the line, but he continued his momentum by rolling over and stretching out an arm, try, the kick between the posts adding the extras, 5 – 17. Penrith rallied well scoring a converted try in the dying minutes to make it 12 - 17. Louie had a try disallowed but then so did Bolton, the referee on the wrong side couldn’t see the grounding. The belief it could be turned around was scuppered by the referee’s whistle. A fantastic effort against the odds.
However, there was still a third, fourth play to be had, a re-match with Middlesbrough. With just enough time to take some water on board the lads were up and at em again! Another close game with Middlesbrough just edging it. They went 5 nil up, a great Brodie sprint from inside his own half tested and beat the defence, 7 – 5. They did however reply in kind shortly afterwards making it 7 – 12. With the clock running down, a chin strapped, battered and bruised bunch of warriors couldn’t pull it back.
The overall winners were Wetherby.
A fantastic day out, the lads can only benefit from this kind of experience. Thanks for the continued support from all the friends and family who go the extra mile to make it happen. An even bigger thanks goes out to Gary and the lads for putting in the hard work to provide a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable day, once again, well done everyone.