Rattlers win Yorkshire Vets tournament

Leeds Corinthians Veterans team “The Rattlers”, participated in the latest Yorkshire area vets tournament last Saturday. Pressure was on the Rattlers having won the last 2 tournaments of this kind. On arrival they were disappointed to learn that 4 clubs had dropped out due to being unable to raise a team, leaving themselves, hosts Morley and Roundhegians. It was therefore decided that each team would play the other with games of 20 minutes each way. The games were split to allow for rest periods.

Corinthians were first on against Morley. They played into a strong wind which somewhat spoilt the day. Morley attacked for most of the half, but Corinthians defended well conceding only one try, this was despite the early loss of influential flanker Lee Hancock with a rib injury. Corinthians eventually broke away and exerted pressure of their own and scored a try through Captain Phil Blong. The first half therefore ended 7-7. Morley then played their first half against Roundhegians winning that 7-0. Corinthians then played their first half against Roundhegians and this time had the luxury of the wind advantage. They were able to play a more open and expansive game meaning they ran out winners 28-0. Tries came through Ben Harrison, Phil Blong, Rory Wilson and Rob Tillotson. Corinthians then played their second half against Morley, who fielded a far stronger team than earlier in the day. Despite the luxury of the wind advantage Corinthians were unable to break through, their numbers were reduced further with the loss of scrum half Roger Daniel and Wing Nigel Foster through injury, but kept Morley well at bay and the second half ended 0-0 meaning Corinthians game with Morley ended 7-7. Morley then played their second half against Roundhegians and won 14-0 meaning they beat Roundhegians 21-0. All this meant that Corinthians just needed to draw the second half of their game against Roundhegians to win overall. They played into the strong wind this time and defended resolutely for the first 19 minutes of the half. Prop Andy Parker was sent to the sin bin 2 minutes from the end for what the referee described as “professional foul play”.

Corinthians did break from their own line however and relaxed for the last few plays before the half ended 0-0, this gave Corinthians the overall victory on the day on points difference. The player of the tournament was hooker Jon Somers who grafted resolutely for the whole afternoon, whilst donut of the day went to prop Kurt Armitage who firstly got lost less than half a mile from the ground, then realised he had forgotten his boots and had to go to the White rose and pay £70 for a new pair and missed the first game due to this delay. The Rattlers would like to thanks Morley for hosting the afternoon, Johnny, the organiser from Yorkshire RFU and the young referee Noah.

Leeds Corinthians Rattlers: Andy Cassar, Jon Somers, Andy Parker, Dave Wakenshaw, Jason Mawson, Lee Hancock, Ben Harrison, Mick Starkey, Paul Sutcliffe, John Duggan, Rory Wilson, Rob Tillotson, Phil Blong, Nigel Foster, Carl Burnell, Roger Daniel, Kurt Armitage, Rob Lloyd.