The day started early - like most days. I felt like crap but rugby is a harsh mistress and so after dragging the boy out of bed we set off for West Yorkshire. The night before I had stood on my glasses and so I was having to make do.
First stop was the boy's home town where we met up with the Williams family and spent an hour discussing rugby, school and life in general. We set off for Cleckheaton just after 11. When we arrived the chaos at the club was matched only by the chaos that is the M62. I think not having to deal with that on a daily basis is worth moving to Nottinghamshire for.
The hospitality at Cleckheaton was as good as ever. I have been coming to this club for many years and the welcome is always good and the refreshments are excellent. An added bonus was to see Huddersfield U11s and their coach Martin Leeming. Also good to see Gill and Tommy from the U13s.
We went down to the stand to prepare for the day's entertainment. The time came for kick off. Dinno set off out of the blocks very quickly and it looked like a rout might be on the cards. Luke drove across for a try and shortly after Brandon went under the posts for try number 2. Both of the conversions were missed but the second only because it hit the post.
At this point I joined the general hunt for the team's water bottles. This meant that I missed Brandon's second try and the subsequent conversion. Half time arrived and we led 17-0.
The second half did not go to plan. The team lost two players to injury. But the remaining players did not seem to have any idea how to kill the game off and Cleckheaton demonstrated that tenacity I have seen before and scored twice through breaks down the right and converted both. This brought the score to 17-14. The last few minutes were tense and nervous for everyone but the team got away with it.
The boy wasn't happy but this is a team game and you have to do what you think is right to try and win. Weather permitting next week is Wetherby.
The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley
1 year ago
