U13/s make the Final

By: Shaun Taylor

Rylands 10 - 12 Thatto Heath Crusaders u13's

On Sunday the U13s travelled to Rylands for what was expected to be and turned out to be a tough encounter in The N.W.C Cup Semi-Final and came away with a slender 12-10 Victory to make it to their first final.

Despite taking a 12-0 lead into the half-time break through tries from Elliott Jenkins,Chris Follin and Jack Stevens the score doesn't reflect what was a close 1st half between the two sides the difference being Thatto took their chances when presented and managed to hold Rylands at bay with some quality scrambling line defence managing to hold Rylands up over the line on several occasions.

As expected the Hosts came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and got back in it with two tries and a goal after more sustained pressure on the Thatto line.

 

Thatto weren't making things easy for themselves by spilling the ball and giving away silly and debatable penalties in the last 10 mins and again had to stand firm and held Rylands up over the line again a few times.

 

But stand firm they did and with relief, coupled with joy and ecstasy the referee blew the final whistle to end a smashing semi-final match.

Credit to Alan, Keith and all the Rylands players who despite their disappointment were very magnanimous in defeat and only for the desire of the Thatto lads in defence and them not wanting to feel the hurt of another semi-final defeat may well be thinking of what might have been, but should be proud of their efforts and come back stronger for the loss as Thatto have.

 

So onto the final on Sunday 15th July at Golbourne Parkside 2pm kick-off, and a match with Wigan St Judes, another tough encounter as always with Gaz, Mark and the lads from Parsons Meadow.

 

On behalf of Rylo, Dave, Ricky and myself I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to all 21 lads for their efforts in getting to the final and making all coaches very very proud with your efforts in training and on the cup run and helping to age us about 10 years on Sunday.

 

Also a massive THANK YOU to parents, brothers, sister, grandparents, etc, etc for your support on Sunday and every Sunday for that matter it is very much appreciated.

 

p.s Big Thanks also to our Vice-Chairman Dave Yates for his support on the day and the pre-game chat with the lads.

 

#cantbeatwinners

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