The first game of the season was always going to be a tough one, but an experienced 2XV travelled up to Wensleydale for the opening game of the season.

With an exciting back line consisting of Andrew Trotman, Jack Kaye and Barney Roberts all with over 100 1XV appearances was mixed with debutant Rhys De Gruchy, Jonathan Fox and Barney Youlden, the Red's started brightly spreading the ball wide and carving open the Wensleydale defence. However, Jack Kaye still can not step and will be taking finishing classes from Aidy Connelly at training this week.

The tie swung back and forth and it took a try saving tackle from Sean Lally to keep the game at 0-0 but soon gaps opened around the ruck allowing Wensleydale in under the sticks. 7-0.

From the restart, Wetherby scored two quick tries. The set piece was working well, with Adam Shaw hitting his line outs and Elliott Reid competing well in defence. Andrew Trotman scored in the corner before Rhys De Gruchy crossed the line as well. 7-10.

Adam Shaw failed to catch the ball from the resulting kick off allowing the ball to bounce into a Wensleydale players hands to go un touched under the sticks. Shawsy was heard moaning under the sticks that he had broke his rib.

Wetherby bounced back immediately and from a scrum Barney Roberts scored a well worked try in the corner with Barney Youlden slotting the conversion. 14-17.

History was to repeat its self though, with Adam Shaw letting the ball bounce again from kick off with Wensleydale securing the restart. A few phases later they were over the try line again on the stroke of half time. 21-17.

Half Time - Wensleydale 21 - 17 Wetherby

The second half got off to a bit of a scrappy start. The free flowing nature of the first half was replaced with errors all over the park. The packs went a scrum on one side of the pitch to the other for an eternity much to the frustration of props Sean Lally and Geoff Cook who had to waddle over to each scrum.

Wensleydale managed to work some space down the Wetherby left and scored another converted try. 28-17

Soon after Mike Youlden was sent for a 10 minute rest after a try saving high tackle. Wensleydale were dominant during this period running in another four converted tries in the last period of the game.

With a minute to go and next try wins called, Wetherby sparked up and created room on the right for Jack Kaye to finish well in the corner, bringing the final score to 56-23.

Wetherby 2s host Burley 2s next week.

MOTM - JACK KAYE
DOD - ADAM SHAW