Wyke rugby team came
back from 24-12 to earn a 24-24 draw against their local rivals Wilberforce
College.
The first half started disastrously for Wyke as straight
away from kick off they were under pressure after the ball bounced into touch
on the left edge. To make matters worse the referee penalised them for offside
putting them under immense amounts of pressure early in the game. But fair play
to Wyke as they held out and forced an error after a couple of big hits from
Ellis Dickinson.
The game was end to end before an error from Wyke gained
Wilberforce some momentum which only increased following another penalty for
offside and then a penalty for dissent. The Wyke defence finally fell apart as
a switch play to the left hand side put Wilberforce’s winger over in the
corner.
Wilberforce piled on the attack once again but a stray pass
on the right flank was intercepted by Kieran Wilson who showed some pace to
race ninety metres only to be caught by the Wilberforce full back. From the
following set, Wilberforce conceded a penalty because the markers were not
square and Ellis Dickinson barged over to the left of the posts. The try was
converted by Wilson to edge Wyke two points in front.
Wilberforce hit straight back through their full back who
scooted from near his own line to sprint past the disorientated home defence.
Wyke gifted Wilberforce valuable field position again as their kick off went straight
out on the full. The away team capitalised on this mistake as the left side
centre crashed over to extend their lead.
But on the stroke of half time Wyke hit back through hooker
Tom Greenham who dummied over close to the line.
Half Time score 16-12
The second half started the same as the first half with
Wilberforce making the most of an error strewn first half as quick hands saw
the full back score his second of the game, quickly followed by the centre also
completing a brace of tries. Luckily for Wyke neither try was converted leaving
them only twelve points behind Wilberforce.
With under ten minutes remaining Wyke have themselves a
chance as Sam Simms crashed over from close range which was easily converted by
Wilson leaving a six point deficit. Wyke's perseverance paid off as quick hands
to the left hand edge sent Daniel Williams over in the corner, calm under
pressure Kieran Wilson kicked his fourth conversion from four attempts to level
the game. But unfortunately Wyke couldn't take advantage of having an extra man
following Wilberforce having a man sin binned for dissent and the game finished
24-24 with conversions being Wilberforce’s downfall as they outscored Wyke five
tries to four.
