Rishies notch another double

Old Rishworthians were in control throughout away to Old Grovians yesterday to register a 33-17 bonus point win and their third Yorkshire Two double of the season.

Even though they let in three tries – the last almost at the end – it never looked anything other than a convincing victory, although they squandered several opportunities out wide.

They started brilliantly. Fullback Matthew Hunt-Brown, who had an outstanding game, put in the first of several telling runs from defence.

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The move was taken on by flanker Nick Faulkner, another outstanding performer on the day. The ball was then passed along the line for left wing Anthony Shoesmith to score an excellent try.

After giving away a penalty in midfield, Rishworthians had to defend a lineout, but were unable to stop a catch and drive from the home side.

They soon began to dominate, though, and a fine angled run from centre Kurt Sutcliffe gave them good position. From there right wing Rhys Town, scrum half Liam Phillips and lock Fraser Swarbrooke all went close before No 8 James Clarke finally crashed over.

Hooker Jack Smart was clear to score, only to be brought back for a forward pass, but the visitors continued to dominate and stand-off Josh Kelly added two penalties to make it 5–16 at half-time.

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The home side opened strongly and with their first attack a big forward crashed over for a converted try.

Undeterred, Rishworthians started to take charge again with lock Callum Heseltine outstanding in a hard-working pack.

There were good driving runs from Clarke and Faulkner and a fine dart down the wing and off-load from prop Phil Kershaw before Kelly added another penalty.

Faulkner and Clarke linked well again before the latter put Hunt-Brown away on another strong run, breaking through a couple of would-be tacklers to score. Kelly added the conversion.

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Near the end, Hunt-Brown was there again with another fine carry to bring the ball out of defence. Eventually it came to Faulkner who ignored a three man overlap, but was strong enough to force his way over.

Grovians added a try after a good catch from the restart, but it was not enough to spoil Rishworthians’ party.

At Copley, a Rishworthians Development team, featuring a number of teenagers destroyed Old Crossleyans seconds with eight tries to win 48-5.

There were four tries for Tom Cockroft, two for Oliver Marshall and others from Luke Durrant and Paul McCumisky, while Harry Robinson was outstanding at flanker.

Brad Fowles kicked three conversions and Cameron Duffy added a fourth.

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