News - Under 17's

Yorkshire (West) Floodlit Cup – FINAL

Heath RUFC U17’s v Huddersfield RUFC U17’s

Played at Heath on Wednesday 23 April 2008

The final of this competition promised to be an interesting affair, pitching division 2 Huddersfield against a quickly improving division 5 Heath. Huddersfield were possibly the favourites to win after heading the group stages and only having conceded one trie in the tournament.

However, from the start it was the home side who exerted the early pressure and for the first 10 minutes, they were encamped in the Huddersfield half. The visitor’s strong defence refused to be breached. A tribute to the onslaught was evident when Huddersfield were awarded a penalty just inside half way and fly half Tom Owen elected to kick for goal. Frustratingly though the kick fell just short. This however did signal Huddersfield resurgence and after 15 minutes following a scrum 20 metres out, the ball was quickly moved through the backs for winger Harry Rosser to score in the corner. Owen added the extras with a superb kick from just inside the touchline.

To their credit, Heath hit back and nearly scored at the other end, and only some determined tackling held the man up over the line. The followed a period of end to end rugby, with both defences causing handling errors from their opposition.

It was therefore a relief to Huddersfield when just before half time, the forwards managed to put together a series of phases before the ball was again spun out through the backs to Rosser to repeat his earlier score. Once again, Owen added the difficult extra points

Half time: Heath – 0 Huddersfield – 14

The second half started the same as the first with the home side looking the sharper and more determined, but with little return. Huddersfield were awarded a penalty 25metres out, but unfortunately the kick went wide.

20 minutes into the half Heath were awarded a penalty, which they converted to reduce the deficit. Heath were not giving up and threw everything into trying to score, but the Huddersfield defence held firm, in fact in the last few minutes of the match, it was the visitors who nearly scored when a clever grubber kick through from Owen just bounced the wrong way and away from the oncoming Huddersfield winger, much to the relief of the home side.

The match ended with the final score : Heath – 3 Huddersfield – 14