It’s fair to say the U12s haven’t been on a great run of form, and their onfield performances haven’t reflected how sharp they are at training, but the trip to Harrogate provided a great opportunity to show the travelling parents what they can come up with when they relax and let the rugby flow.

Having taken a fair battering away at the hands of Yarnbury earlier in the season, this three-way tie had potential to be a tough day at the office for the squad diminished by injury and unavailability, but with the kind loan of players from each opponent, they boys fired themselves up with a warmup blatantly stolen from the previous night’s Gladiators, and hit the ground running. Incredible intensity in the breakdown and some glorious footwork from Alfie saw an excellent win against Harrogate in the first of four games on the day.

Taking on Yarnbury in the second match, the team once again turned on the pace, with bulldozer-like effort in the ruck, deft handling, and a never say die attitude which saw them batter their way over the line repeatedly, conceding only one try to their six. Harrogate thundered back to life in the following game, an attritional battle where neither side offered an inch, decided only by a fine team try from Harrogate.

After a quick pitch swap Sandal faced Yarnbury in the final game of the day. Yarnbury had clearly picked up throughout the morning, and put up stern defence bringing out the best of Sandal’s creativity and determination. A ferocious solo drive through the Yarnbury defence saw Euan crash over the line to open Sandal’s account, before the game opened up and Sandal’s pace began to tell. Valuable cameos from the on-loan Harrogate players added power in midfield, while T’s scorching pace down the wing off the back of a great set piece sealed the final win in glorious style. A truly necessary dive making sure the boys left the pitch with heads held high, beaming smiles, and the delighted applause of their parents.

Thanks to Harrogate for hosting a great morning’s rugby, Yarnbury for providing some stern opposition, and both clubs for the loan of players to make sure we got the game on.