Pound bang on the money with match-winning penalty

A LAST-GASP penalty by Danny Pound clinched the Aire Wharfe Plate for Yarnbury after a thrilling clash.

The competition is confined to junior sides from all the area teams and gives a chance to youngsters coming through the ranks to showcase their skills in a competitive setting.

This showdown was the culmination of the competition for all the first-round losers.

Whereas first teams in the lower leagues like Otliensians, Aireborough and Grovians can enter their first teams, higher-ranked clubs like Yarnbury have to use second and third-team players in the competition.

Yarnbury's backs looked extremely dangerous with some quick slick passing.Wing Forward Ian Spink made good ground in midfield and then centre Graham Maycock was pulled down short after slipping through the Wharfedale defence but the position was let down by poor line-out play.

A Pound break from stand-off gained territory and a Wharfedale fumble led to turnover ball and winger Adam Roebuck crossed in the corner and Pound converted to give Yarnbury the lead.

During the second quarter Yarnbury dominance grew and, with ample possession, good back play was finished off by wing forward Spink after 24 minutes, taking the final pass to score a second unconverted try.

Four minutes later wing forward Les Crowther scored when Pound kicked deep into touch from a penalty. The ball was recycled from the line-out and the try was made as Crowther slipped through, with Pound converting and then converting another penalty.

The Hornets were looking good at 22-0 and were unlucky when second row Russ Gomersall took the opportunity to burst through a gap in midfield but the pass from Pound was judged forward.

Wharfedale opened their account through second row James Ardon and an excellent conversion by Harris Catley gave The Dalesmen a foothold in the final at the end of the half.

Harris Catley kicked a penalty for Wharfedale for offside and then centre Simon Mason broke the cover to score an unconverted try.

Wharfedale converted another penalty after 74 minutes when Yarnbury failed to release in the tackle and then took the lead when Ardron drove over for an unconverted touchdown to make the score 23-22.

Yarnbury rallied and Pound missed a kickable penalty in front of a large enthusiastic crowd.

Yarnbury scrum half Nathan Benton was then sent off for an infringement seen by the touch judge.

Yarnbury finally secured the win and the silverware with yet another penalty by Pound in an exciting encounter which was a credit to both teams, who were well matched.