Old Rishworthians’ Director of Rugby is Richard Brown, who is well known at the Greens. Their senior manager is Mark Witchell, their head coach is Paul Gabriel and their captain is Greg Withers. They are to appoint a forwards player coach for the first time. They play in County 1, Yorkshire.

The Club has been serving its community for 95 years and now has over 400 members as well as the support of five local firms. They have teams through all the age groups and introduce girls to rugby.
We welcome their 1st XV today for a squad match, the first of two for us in advance of the new season.

With regard to the season ahead, it is encouraging to see that our Ladies team has league matches at home and away against York, Beverley, Ripon, Driffield, Scarborough, Malton and Norton.

Added to this good news, the Wharfedale men’s 1st XV look forward to renewing fixtures in N2 (N) with Huddersfield, who have come up to rejoin us, and with Sedgley Park, who have come down from N1. Also our 2nd XV have a league to play in!

The ORs played downhill, but the opening exchanges favoured the Greens, with, amongst other pieces of smart play, there being slick inter-passing between Brewster, Trees, Hall and Kaup-Samuels. Dale refused several times to go for a goal when awarded penalties, but knock-ons frustrated them. The Rishworthians then kicked a penalty to within 22 yards, burst from the line out, and Dylan Hilton scored.

Their No. 10 converted (0-7).

More Wharfedale pressure saw the ball dropped over the line, but they were regularly outweighted in the set scrums. Despite this, a crosskick was gathered by Archie Brewster, who scored wide out (5-7). This was the score when the first break was taken and neither side had established mastery.

Early in the second segment a penalty for a late tackle gave the ORs an opportunity. They went right then left, and Callum Bell scored wide out (5-12). Almost immediately, Joe Charnley crossed for Dale, cutting the deficit to 10-12. A crucial event happened next with Wharfedale down to 14 men through injury. Dale’s Orson Hall ran from near his own line to score under the posts, leaving Archie Haddon with an easy conversion (17-12). From the restart, a fabulous punt from the Green’s 22 to the OR 10-yard line allowed several opportunities, and finally Callum Trees kicked ahead; the ball came back left, Jack Kitchen passed inside to Kaup-Samuels, and Henry Ellison scored after 57 minutes. Haddon added the extras (24-12). Severe ill-discipline then by an OR forward did their cause no good, but fortunately this was an isolated incident. Excellent combined play by Haddon, Charnley and Siddon kept the pressure on; a long pass to the wing was just forward, but fine attacking play followed, with five players involved, and it inevitably led to a score by Jay Kay, again converted by Haddon (31-10).

Callum Trees’ lengthy boot led to a scrum which was won and resulted in a score for Jack Kitching. This time the conversion was short (36-10). The score ended the second period.

When play restarted, Haddon’s boot soon gave Wharfedale a territorial advantage and a line out of 22 yds. Henry Ellison ran to the line with purpose, and there was no stopping him. Haddon predictably converted the try (43-12). Archie Brewster kicked a loose ball forward and followed up to floor the catcher in the act of taking the ball, a memorable piece of play if not for the catcher! The ORs went close with a kick ahead, but the ball was touched down for a 22. This proved to be their last chance to reduce the deficit, as Bennett and Bentley combined down the right, and the score under the posts was by Trees. This was again converted to make the final score 50-12. An outstanding display in the Wharfedale pack by Fin Brewster, magnificent in the line out but not just there, should be recognised within a fine team performance, as should the commanding presence of Archie Haddon at fly half.

A well-refereed and entertaining pre-season match was enjoyed by all. Old Rishworthians, although well beaten after a promising start, played attractively and certainly contributed to an enjoyable afternoon. We were so pleased to see them in the Upper Dale!