Grit helps West Bowling under-16s end an era with victory (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Grit helps West Bowling under-16s end an era with victory

4:50pm Friday 1st June 2012 in Rugby By Sports Desk

West Bowling under-16s completed a great season with a hard fought 13-6 win over Crigglestone All Blacks in the final of the Yorkshire Youth Combination Top Four Play-Off at Upton ARLFC.

Bowling had finshed third in the league, so had to take the hard route to the final with a trip Tt Hull Dockers in the semi-final, which they won 28-10.

The final was played in front of a large crowd on a sunny day, and Crigg started the stronger, with their hard running forwards making yards into the Bowling defence.

However, West were the first team to score, with a well-worked try finished off by winger Brad Peel, prop Alex Stott converting to make it 6-0.

Midway through the first half a slip by the Bowling defence allowed Crigg's centre to score, the goal making the score 6-6.

But Bowling were next on the board, with man of the match Elliot Minichella dancing though the Crigglestone defence to score a great solo try and make the half-time score 10-6.

Nerves seemed to play a part in the second half, which was littered with errors and contained no tries.

However, it was Minichella who again stepped up with a cheeky drop goal and a penalty to make the game safe, with Bowling winning 13-6.

The final, which was played in great spirit, will doubtless mark the end of an era for some of the Bowling team, who will be moving into the professional ranks or moving to pastures new.

But for the rest, after a well-earned break, it will be back to the hard work of pre-season training next month, ready to start next season as under-17s.

If anyone is interested in playing rugby oeague at a decent level at West Bowling, they should contact Frank Levy on 07976-272610.