YMCA U15s claw back from 19-0 down to win

HUDDERSFIELD YMCA Under-15s came from behind once again as they claimed a 42-22 victory at Pontefract.

Having gone behind early in last week’s Yorkshire Cup victory, the YM again appeared to press the self-destruct button from the off and found themselves 19-0 down within the first 10 minutes.

A quick reshuffle, including the introduction of new signings Archie Cresswell and Callum Croughan, steadied the ship and the YM started to get themselves into the game.

And it was Croughan who got their first try as he powered through the defensive line and grounded the ball.

Luke Earnshaw added the extras.

A penalty for the home team extended their lead to 22-7, but the YM were now working as a group and getting numbers into every breakdown to ensure the ball was won efficiently.

After a number of phases, the ball was worked to hard-hitting centre James Haywood, who scored a converted try, despite four defenders being in attendance.

As the clock ticked down on the first half, the YM were awarded a penalty on half way.

Declining to take the kick to touch, the ball was fed to Elmo Morgan who ran straight at the defence, puncturing a hole in the line and raced the 50 metres to score another converted try.

Morgan was inspirational all match and went on to win the coach’s and parents’ man-of-thematch awards.

As the second half started, the YM were one point behind, but not for long as stand-off Earnshaw received the ball from a scrum 20 metres out and threw an outrageous dummy that split the defence.

He sprinted through the gap, scored the try and added conversion too.

The YM were now in the lead for the first time and had total control of the game, playing it in all the right areas.

Pontefract were unable to get any sustained possession or territory and the game was closed out by two converted Layton Morris tries.

Next week they face local rivals Lockwood Park.