Fixture

With more on holidays and some ill, the convoy was short this morning with 6 of the U9’s travelling down the valley to Whiteheads to a warm but wet welcome.  Whiteheads had nine players so they loaned us Gracie.

By the time the whistle went the monsoon like weather had stopped and the sun was trying to shine.  Dale took the ball and we soon saw Jordan Way force his way over the try line, 0-1.  Whiteheads responded with a try, 1-1.  Max Rossiter had a good run before a knock on gave the hosts possession; they were unable to use the ball as Thomas Gregory tackled them into touch.  Thomas took the ball and advanced into the hosts half but a loose ball from a tackle was picked up by Whiteheads and they scored, 2-1.  Dale knocked on from the whistle and we saw another try from the hosts. 3-1.  Another loose ball saw Whiteheads in possession but the Dale defence forced them into touch.  Dale persisted and passed between the team before Thomas Gregory scored, 3-2.  Thomas Gregory put in two good tackles before Whiteheads scored, 4-2.  Whiteheads quickly gained possession but a Thomas tackle saw a loose ball picked up by Oliver Cooke, he was tackled and passed out but Whiteheads gained the ball only to be denied by a last gasp try saving tackle from Gabriel Jones, taking a knock to the ankle as he did.  The Magic sponge made it all ok as the first third whistle sounded.

First Third Whiteheads 4 – Oakdale 2.

Whiteheads started the second third, but a knock on gave us the ball.  Dafydd Price went on an excellent run, he was tackled and the ball became loose, Oliver Cooke scooped it up and passed it to Dafydd Price to continue his run to score, 4-3.  Gabriel was unlucky to miss the tackle, Whiteheads thought they were clear, however Thomas came across the field and bundled them into touch.  Great passing up the field saw Max Rossiter use his power to cross the try line and equalise. 4-4.  Whiteheads came back with a try, 5-4.  Dale restarted and gave Gracie a run, she was tackled and Dafydd Price called for the ball and sped to the try line to score, 5-5.  Jordan Way stopped Whiteheads with a great tackle into touch giving the Dale possession, an excellent side step by Dafydd saw him dodge the defence, and he was eventually tackled with a thud causing him to lose the ball another appearance from the magic sponge.  Possession came back after a Whiteheads forward pass gave possession back to the Dale and we saw Thomas score, 5-6.

Second Third Whiteheads 5 – Oakdale 6.

Dale restarted and Jordan Way made good ground before passing to Thomas Gregory who was tackled into the touch at the corner.  Good tackling by the Dale team couldn’t stop Whiteheads equalising. 6-6.  Dafydd Price has another superb run but was tackled into touch on the try line.  Whiteheads took the ball but a knock on gave possession back, Jordan Way headed for the try line , he was tackled and twisted his knee on the way down, the magic sponge made and other appearance but wasn’t enough and Jordan left the field.  Whiteheads scored two tries in quick succession, 8-6.  Dale restarted with a good switch move from Dafydd Price and Thomas Gregory, resulting in Thomas scoring, 8-7.  Jordan Way came back on for the last phase of play which saw Whiteheads claim the final try of the morning. 9-7.

Final Score  Whiteheads 9 – Oakdale 7.

Man of the Match – Dafydd Price

Coaches’ comments – Considering the muddy conditions the boys should great handling as well as great gutsy performance from a much depleted team. The game was a great advert for the game with great running rugby as well great sportsmanship from both sides.