Historic treble in sight for inspired Wath RUFC
AN historic treble in sight for all-conquering Wath RUFC heading into the weekend.
The new champions of Yorkshire One won the Northern Counties One Plate last Saturday and now they’ll look to add the Yorkshire Shield to their collection when they take on Harrogate Pythons at Huddersfield Laund Hill RUFC in the final on Saturday (3pm).
Wath have lifted it only once before, way back in 1961.
Last weekend’s Plate final took them to the home of Doncaster Knights to play a talented young Nottingham University side.
It wasn’t without drama, with the match finishing 29-29 and Wath being proclaimed champions on try countback.
They had scored first with a try by flanker Sean Hopper, converted by Jack Whitlam, and they advanced into a 17-3 lead on the half-hour with further touchdowns from player coach Ryan Burrows and hooker James Thompson.
In the period up to half time Nottingham had much the better of territory and possession and they struck back with two tries to trim Wath’s lead to just a couple of points.
There was relief for the league champions just three minutes into the second half Burrows scored from a five-metre scrum again but the Students didn’t go away.
A converted interception try levelled the scores up a 22-22 and left the final in the balance.
Again, Wath responded, replacement hooker James Dobson scoring a try from another five-metre lineout and Whitlam’s excellent conversion from wide out creating a seven-point cushion with 55 minutes gone.
With Nottingham side looking increasingly threatening, Wath’s defence was at full stretch but centres Alex Pegg and Harry Hermitage in particular held their shape and never missed a tackle. It took a special effort to breach the try line and the students produced one to go over for a converted try to make it 29-29 with 15 minutes left.
Nottingham appeared to have the advantage but Wath managed the closing moments well.
The game ended in drama.
Wath were awarded a penalty and discovered that the 80 minutes was up as the fourth official clarified the competition rules.
Discovering they’d be declared champs on try countback, Wath kicked the ball into touch to claim the win and mystified spectators were elated as they became aware of the situation and the celebrations could begin.