Boys’ Rugby - Upper Wharfedale v Settle U14
Despite going down by nine tries to seven against a big Wharfedale team in their 7-a-side game at Threshfield, the U14s made an encouraging start to their season. Settle started slowly, going three scores down before coming back to trail 4-3 at the break, before going on to lead 7-6 with five minutes to go. Sam Laycock, Hugh Francmanis and Josh Syers were a handful throughout, and Adam Middleton was a big presence in the tight.
U14 Yorkshire Cup - Castle Hill 53 Settle 0
The U14s second game was a Yorkshire Cup fixture against Castle Hall, Mirfield, and if the diminutive stature of the Settle team was highlighted against the West Yorkshire giants, who outclassed them in every department. It was to the visitors’ credit that, despite going down to a heavy defeat, they showed character and never gave up. John Sutcliffe, who had impressed in the first game, stood to the fore and Adam Middleton gave his all alongside Daniel McCarthy to present Castle Hill with a few problems in defence. Angus McCabe had a good debut behind a struggling pack, using effectively what little ball Settle won.
U16 Yorkshire Cup - Ilkley Grammar School 63 Settle College 8
The wet weather of the previous two days did not prevent the game going ahead under the floodlights at Ilkley rugby club, where the home team were able to field two Yorkshire wingers and the England U16 number eight. With a team comprising the best of the Year 10 and 11 players, including the returning George Mackay, Settle still had a task on their hands and were soon warned of the quality of the opposition when they scored their first try inside two minutes after Andrew Thwaite was injured and largely incapacitated by a dead-leg. He stayed on to provide some opposition but Cameron Walton, who had been an effective presence in the centre, had no such luck as he was forced off with a blood injury. As the tries stacked up against them, Jack Walker, Peter Cook and Robbie Davidson made telling tackles throughout the game and forwards Marcus Mcmanus, Adam Townley and Connor Hall worked well to give the big Ilkley pack something to think about. Josh Gray played well at scrum half and, as was seen in the U14 game, heads did not go down, and they were rewarded with a well-deserved try by Mackay after some good work by Cook. Davidson kicked the conversion to add to his earlier penalty. Finishing the game with thirteen payers on the pitch, Settle were more effective a team in the closing minutes of the game than they had been during the first half with a fill team, and showed a spirit that had somehow been lacking earlier.
Kirkbie Kendal U14s 36 - 40 Settle U14s
On a slippery pitch and playing into the elements in the first half, the U14s got off to a good start when Quintas went over to score close in from a clever crossfield kick from Walker. This was followed soon after as Walton scored and Settle looked to be in control, but mistakes in defence allowed Kendal to get back with two undeserved tries, and the lead was regained with a try from Walker, and Allsopp extended the lead before half time. Kendal showed much more resilience after the break and came back with three unanswered tries. Dakin scored to regain the lead, only to lose it again as the game see-sawed toward the home team. The game was decided only in the final minute when some good work from Marshall and Walton led to a ruck close to the line from which Batty was able to crash over to win it.