Wensleydale Under-17s are beaten by visitors Bishop

BISHOP Auckland Under-17s won 39-33 away at Wensleydale, but tried their hardest to lose this match, showing both their best and worst aspects of their game.

Despite having the vast majority of possession and territory, they conceded four tries from interceptions and turnovers.

Having said all that, the team again showed great desire to drive forward at every opportunity. Their strength and power up front totally dominated their opponents, leading to many try-scoring chances.

It was through powerful drives from Bishops’ forwards Connor Smith, Alec Clarey, James Wood, David Moody, Jordan Wilson, Sam Heslop and Nick Andrews that set up the position for Moody to crash over for their opening try.

Bishops’ were back on the attack and after the home side were penalised, scrum-half Tom Robinson took a quick tap and set away Wood and Jack Fletcher towards the line.

Wood then picked up the loose ball and drove over for his try.

Chris Griffiths was successful with his conversion.

From the restart, an error by Bishop players resulted in Wensleydale scoring a try with their first possession of the game. Despite their dominance when driving forward, the home side were competing at all the rucks, causing Bishop to turn the ball over far too many times. It was from these turnovers that resulted in two further tries from the home side.

Bishop were struggling to contain the pace of the home side’s backs who continued to cause problems throughout the game.

Bishop levelled after their forwards had set up a strong attacking position. Forwards Clarey and Wood were stopped short of the line, but Smith was on hand to force his way over for a try. Griffiths levelled the score at 19-19 with his successful conversion.

From the start of the second half, Bishops were again on the front foot with centre Tom Foulger and forwards Heslop, Wilson and Shaun Hutchinson all making strong runs. Again Bishop’s conceded the ball in a turn over and Wensleydale’s centre outpaced Bishop defence again to score from their first possession of the half.

Bishop then closed the score when second row Moody charged over from close range, for his second try.

Bishops’ fly half Chris Griffiths changed his line of attacks and started to beat defenders at will. From a scrum, No8 Clarey broke blind and passed to Griffiths, who then beat a number of defenders and outpaced the cover to score an outstanding individual try and for the visitors to regain the lead. From a long 22 drop out by the home side, Bishops’ Centre Callum Knight bravely chased back 70 metres to prevent the home side from scoring a certain opportunist try.

Despite all the pressure and possession from the visitors, Wensleydale remained in the game with some strong counter-rucking and brave defensive tackling. The visitors again extended their lead after strong runs by Smith and Clarey, set up Wood to crash over for his second try of the game.

Bishop again turned the ball over and were punished when Wensleydale’s centre received the ball and again outpaced the defence to score.

Bishop then sealed their victory when Alec Clarey picked up at the base of the scrum and powered over for his try.