Author: Tj Moon

Brighouse Rangers Under 12’s 14 v Guiseley Rangers Under 12’s
Continuation Cup Semi-Final
Match Report

Player of the Match: Hooker (Anonymity observed)

Coaches player: Austin Hines

Grafters: Jacob Dewhirst
Daniel Clarke
Dylan Greenwood

Magic moment: Jack Wenzel

Rangers knew this would be a tough game but always held their belief they could win it with hard work.
With a lack of ball-in-hand for the opening quarter, the Rangers found themselves defending continuously, set after set.
Guiseley made good yards down the pitch with the Ranger’s line speed not quite matching that of their opponents.
Guiseley scored first down the Rangers right side, overcoming a usually, solid defensive unit. The coaching team reinforced the team’s confidence with encouragement and heads were held high.
A second Guiseley try came shortly after through a strong, forward burst straight under the posts.
Lackluster tackling techniques were addressed and then it started to pick up.
Commitment to the cause could not have been more evident than in the performance of the Rangers’ hooker (anonymity observed). For a player of slight stature, he put in some colossal, ball-and-all tackles in the centre of the pitch on players twice his size. This earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Alongside the hooker’s performance second-row pair, Christian Williams and Austin Hines put in a huge stint in the middle. Williams was again solid with the ball in his hands and made some telling attacks, showing that he has the engine for a full game. Pack Leader, Hines led from the front, as always, often covering the centre position in defence. Hines’ solid performance was capped off with a try in the left-hand corner after collecting a wide pass and finding himself in the right place at the right time. The second-rower went over from 15m after outpacing the cover defence.
The team lost influential prop-forward, Lukan Fortunato mid-way through the first half after he was dumped and landed awkwardly. A head injury assessment deemed that he would sit out the rest of the game, unfortunately for Lukan and the team.
Limited changes were made in the first half. The coaches wanted to build continuity with the starting 13 but with the early loss of Fortunato, it was time for the ever-impressive, Kurt Fisher to take to the field.
Fisher got involved straight away and carried the ball with vigor but it was his defence that stood out, yet again. Fisher zones in and hits hard, and this was evident today.
Fullback Joel Thurtle came alive before the break and displayed a characteristic, crabbing run to the left flank where he picked his gap and switched on. A good 40m sprint ended with Thurtle evading the cover defence with a left foot step to finish under the posts.
The second half saw Dexter Alderson leave the field for a well-deserved rest after a massive 30-minute hard graft.
Jack Wenzel took his place in the front row and worked the dummy runs perfectly, drawing 3, 4, 5 defenders away from the attack. Wenzel is popular amongst the players and the supporters, he’s improving weekly and he’s becoming a reliable forward.
Rangers improved further with their big centre (anonymity observed) causing chaos for the Guiseley defenders. Our big centre kept the supporters on their feet as he always does and was a joy to watch as he took down anything that moved.
Changes were made to try and alter the defensive patterns with Connor Gleeson replacing Riley Knapton on the right and Dominic Brook coming onto the left wing.
Wingman Daniel Greenwood moved into Fullback to give the hard-working Thurtle a break and Domas Flynn showed his value as a utility player by covering at the centre and moving into his more familiar, second-row position.
With the heat taking its toll, Vice Captain Dylan Greenwood who’d put in an immense effort on the left, came off for a spell and after some positional changes, Will Young came into the fore at center. Young, usually a strong, back-rower, offers the versatility to cover in the three-quarter line and showed up strong in attack. Young worked hard and carried the ball often until a knock to the leg had him retire earlier than he would have wanted.
Loose-forward, Marcus Booth was busy throughout and his contribution in the centre of the pitch was welcome and noted by the spectators, Booth brings aggression and skill to the Loose-forward role and is really making the shirt his own.
Halfbacks Jacob Dewhirst and Daniel Clarke had the game of their lives. Organisation was strong and the ball was taken to and played at the line. Dewhirst and Clarke had what was their busiest game all season. It tested them and they stood strong.
Sam Lee waited patiently for his chance and was asked to work on the right wing. Lee plays well on the wing and also at hooker but with time ticking away, the utility man had limited game time.
Following the Hines try, the last score would come from Thurtle in the left corner. The try was good and with 3 minutes of game time left the Rangers set up for the next kick-off.
Confidence was high and with time remaining, another try was always on the cards, however, the referee called time 3 minutes early and the game was lost.
The boys played with integrity, discipline and heart with the Rangers hooker showing today that he has the heart of a lion and leading by example.
For this season our Cup runs are over so we head back into the league fixtures where we’ll be looking for improvement and confidence as we hit the halfway mark.

Elland U12’s 24 v 16 Brighouse Rangers U12’s

Player of the Match: Joel Thurtle
Coaches Player: Austin Hines

Grafter: Kurt Fisher
Grafter: Right Center

Magic Moment: Kurt Fisher, try saving a tackle on the line.

Magic Moment: Dominic Brook, 60m chase-down.

Following two weeks of playing against teams in the division above, Rangers were tasked with making a dent in their league results.
Rangers looked strong with the coaching team selecting the same 1 to 7 as the Queensbury game, last week.
Lukan Fortunato made his debut in the front row whilst regular second-row Christian Williams was unavailable. Will Young stepped into the starting lineup in the second row alongside the formidable Austin Hines.
Young and Hines complimented the strong, front row with George Terry earning his first start of the season at Loose-forward with Domas Flynn taking his turn on the bench.

From kick-off, the signs were good with Scrum-half and Man-of-the-Match, Joel Thurtle skipping past several defenders and heading down the right wing from 60m out, scoring under the posts. Stand-off, Jacob Dewhirst converted.
Following Thurtle’s effort, a second early try came from a destructive run from the Ranger’s big, right centre. Another Dewhirst conversion put the Rangers in a strong position.
Elland woke up and showed a strong attacking attitude with their big, number 17 causing all sorts of problems.
With the luxury of 4 prop-forwards available, Brighouse rotated the front row. Kurt Fisher had another outstanding, defensive game and was rested to allow regular prop, Dexter Alderson to get involved.
Fortunato was solid on his debut with some massive ball-carries which attracted 3 and 4 defenders every time. After a valuable contribution in the middle, Fortunato was rotated and fellow prop, Jack Wenzel entered the field. Wenzel showed improvement and was looking forward to a strong game but was retired early due to a medical issue.

In the second half, one Elland attacking play to the Ranger’s right side had a try looking like a certainty, however, a tremendous cover effort from prop-forward, Fisher, halted the Elland attacker at the line with cover arriving from the Ranger’s big, right centre. Try averted.

Stand-off, Dewhirst, led from the front, once again and recognition from the Elland coach was well deserved. Dewhirst’s kicking game was once again, strong, with one, cross-field kick coming early in the tackle count, collected by the centre, Dylan Greenwood. The play didn’t quite get to the line but Dewhirst’s intentions with the boot were evident and he kicked confidently for the duration.

Midway through the second half at an 18-16 deficit, Rangers needed a try to tip the balance. Thurtle again made a break, this time down the left flank.
The Elland defence was outpaced, bar one….the big 17.
Thurtle kept 17 at bay and when it looked like he was all but caught, a side-step saw him get over the line. The Brighouse touchline erupted but the referee called a knock-on over the line to the dismay of the team, and also to Thurtle who had travelled a good 70m down the field.

In a final attack, the Elland 17 broke again in the centre of the field. From 60m out, the Ranger’s defenders turned to chase but we were all outpaced. From nowhere, hooker, Dominic Brook appeared in centre field on the heels of the big Elland man. Brook was gaining and committed to the chase-down alone but was unable to get hands-on. Brook did not take his foot off the gas until the try had been scored and this effort was rewarded with a Magic Moment award.

George Terry was strong again at Loose-forward but rotated to his native, wing position late in the game. Terry went well in the middle but his aggressive, edge defence stood out after the switch, putting on some strong shots.

Connor Gleeson started the game on the wing and had some strong runs early in the game. Gleeson was rotated and in an unusual move was reintroduced at scrum-half late in the game. Gleeson is a strong three-quarter player but has attributes that allow plenty of movement if needs be.

In another unusual move, coach Dave Flynn moved Riley Knapton from his wing into the Fullback role. Knapton didn’t complain and went straight to work at the back.

The last 5 minutes saw plenty of rotation with hooker Sam Lee moving onto the right wing to cover for Knapton and Alderson finishing the game at Loose-forward. Lee had initially replaced the starting Ranger’s hooker who had given a strong first-half performance with fastball distribution.

Fortunato had a second stint to shore up the middle and starting Fullback, Daniel Greenwood was reintroduced into the pack and slotted in well to finish confidently.
Alderson and Thurtle suffered minor knocks with Pack Leader, Hines taking a break with a head knock.

All in all, the Rangers looked like an improved side. This age group presents testosterone, ego, temper…..and it’s all there to see in big doses, but the bond is there and that click will come.
We go again.

Birkenshaw Blue Dogs 16 vs Brighouse Rangers 35

Try Scores,
Liam Jelfs (Alco Valves Group)
Adam Hirst (AJ Gastech)
Jordan Sild (RLC Plastering)
Ronnie Bailey (LR Plubtech)
Oliver Peterkin (24/7 Blinds) x 2

Players of the Match,
1st – Oliver Peterkin (24/7 Blinds)
2nd – Lucas Birts (Jeffrey Greenwood)
3rd –  Ronnie Bailey (LR Plumbtech)

Rangers claimed the 2 points on Saturday, but the game was closer than the scoreline suggested. Brighouse stormed to a 10-0 lead within six minutes, Liam Jelfs touching down out wide within two minutes, a clever Adam Hirst (AJ Gastech) chip tipped on to the winger by Lucas Birts (Jeffrey Greenwood) to make it 4-0, then Hirst switched from provider to scorer, a classic slow and go foxing the dog’s defence to go in under the sticks, Jimmy Banks (Yorkshire Brides) adding the extras.
A period of indiscipline and errors followed for Rangers, allowing Birkenshaw to get back into the game, Their elusive acting halfback slicing through for a try, and an unconverted effort out wide levelling it up on the half-hour mark to make it ten apiece.
Rangers regained momentum, Jordan Sild (RLC Plastering) with a trademark try, a difficult man to stop from close range to make it 16-10, then on the stroke of halftime.
Ronnie Bailey (LR Plubtech) got some reward for his gut-busting defensive efforts, touching down near the posts, Banks converting both, to put Rangers in the driving seat with a 22-10 lead.
The Blue Dogs hit back in the 47th minute though, a converted try making it 22-16, and we’re very much in the game, only excellent Rangers scramble defence keeping out the hosts.
A little bit of extra class gave Rangers the edge, Ollie Peterkin (24/7 Blinds) proving to be a difficult man to put down, and he finished off a sweet attacking move with swift hands from Callum Sutcliffe (Just Media) and Birts combining to release Peterkin on the left edge for a quality try to make it 28-16.
A dogged Birkenshaw still kept banging at the door though, until old head Hirst knocked over a monster drop goal in heavy traffic to kill the game in the 75th minute, meaning the hosts would have to score three times for any joy. On the stroke of time, Rangers scored the last points of the game, with a try that had Hirst written all over it, his fine kick gathered by Peterkin who got a well-deserved 2nd try, the extras added by prodigal son Jamie Barraclough, who looks like he’ll be great back up at prop for the rest of the season.
Despite not making the scoresheet, Birts had a good game at fullback, Matty Bailey (OvenU) put in a great shift up front, and returning winger Will Oldroyd looked as sharp as ever despite limited opportunity with the ball in hand.

Queensbury ARLFC U12’s 40 – 0 Brighouse Rangers U12’s

Bradford and Keighley Challenge Cup Quarter Final.

Player of the Match: Riley Knapton
Coaches Player: Austin Hines
Coaches Player: Dylan Greenwood
Grafter: Kurt Fisher
Grafter: Right Center
Grafter: Jacob Dewhirst
Opposition P.O.M.: Jacob Dewhirst

It’s important to emphasise that the score, although substantial, does not reflect whatsoever on the effort and performance that the boys put in. This is often an overused statement but in this case, it’s relevant and relates to the game.

For the second week in a row, the team went up against opposition from the division above and it’s been a testing but valuable experience. We are looking forward to getting back to work in our division this Saturday against Elland.

The game plan was to play uphill in the first half and defend like their lives depended on it. Within the first 15 minutes, it was obvious that the Rangers were focused and the defence was solid, particularly at the edges where we’ve been exposed in the past.
Riley Knapton was on fire on the right wing and delivered fire and brimstone to anything that moved, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Rangers held Queensbury out for a decent period before some indifferent defence in the middle let one of the Queensbury forwards over. This came after some tenacious line defence, led by Vice Captain Dylan Greenwood.

With defence being the order of the day, every player made that extra effort.
Kurt Fisher was superb in defence, again, showing some out-and-out commitment to his tackling and as the only specialist prop-forward available on the day, he led from the front, earning a Grafter award.

A re-jigged half-back partnership worked well with Joel Thurtle stepping in at scrum-half. Thurtle’s defence was again, outstanding, bringing down forwards for fun with solid leg-tackling.
Jacob Dewhirst worked tirelessly at the gain line and showed good vision with his kicking game, also earning a Grafter award.

In a late, first-half attack, quick hands from Thurtle and Dewhirst put the ball left to Flynn who found hard-working second-row, Christian Williams.
Williams took a chance to attack the Queensbury centre and made good yards, causing problems but a strong defence wrapped him up 5m short.

At half-time, Queensbury were 3 tries in front with the slope to defend. This wasn’t a devastating position to be in and Rangers opened the second-half confidently. The big Ranger’s right centre continually troubled the Queensbury line and his hard work set up Dewhirst to float a kick to the left-hand corner. Queensbury scrambled to defend it but it was fullback, Daniel Greenwood who collected and grounded the ball.
Disappointment came when this try was disallowed for being short of the line… contentious, we all agreed.

Queensbury scored early in the second half after pressuring the Rangers’ line and after a couple of medical changes in the three-quarter line, the Rangers made changes on the left. Domas Flynn moved from Loose-forward to centre with the ever-improving Dominic Brooke outside him on the wing.
After a good stint in the middle, the Rangers’ hooker was rested and Sam Lee took over the acting-half duties. Lee is improving every week and this game showed that his communication and hand speed is really coming on.

Pack leader Austin Hines playing in the front row, again, led from the front and took the opportunity for early taps after penalties in the Queensbury 10m area. The blue defenders held Hines out on several occasions but having played the full 40 minutes, he came away with a Coaches Player award for leading his pack with confidence and performance.
George Terry waited patiently on the bench for his opportunity and it came in the second half when Flynn was rested. Terry, usually a wingman was asked to go straight into the mix at Loose-forward and he didn’t disappoint. Terry carried the ball well and showed an aggressive appetite for defence. Terry enjoyed the move from wing into the middle and the future looks bright for him.

The left flank was returned to the original configuration with the re-introduction of another Coaches Player recipient, Dylan Greenwood and fiery wing-man, Connor Gleeson.
Gleeson had a strong game on the left and with Greenwood and second-row, Will Young working together, we have found some real strength down the left.

Towards the end of the match, Rangers fought to keep their heads up and continued to play with confidence until the final whistle. With the result now a foregone conclusion, the focus changed to not getting nilled. A final, sustained Rangers attack to the posts saw Dewhirst attempt a drop-goal but he didn’t get the contact he wanted and the kick fell short. The opposition coaches, however, rewarded Dewhirst’s efforts with their Player of the Match award for his persistence and organisation.

Queensbury are a sizeable and mobile team and will give many teams problems this year, but for Rangers, we regroup and go again.
The team should be proud of themselves, as are all the staff and parents.
Onwards and upwards.

Queensbury U12’s v Rangers U12’s

Bradford & Keighley Challenge Cup Quarter Final.

Tuesday 28th May, 1845hrs Kick Off

Albert Road, 

Queensbury, 

BD13 1QB

Rangers have several, Influential players unavailable for this cup tie but strength in depth allows for a strong team, nonetheless.

With no Daniel Clarke available, Joel Thurtle moves into the scrum-half role with Daniel Greenwood moving to Fullback.

Greenwood brings a strong one-on-one defence and an aggressive, first line of attack to the Fullback position, having spent most of his time in the three-quarter line. 

Riley Knapton comes in again on the right wing bringing stability to that edge. 

Pack leader, Austin Hines moves up from second-row to partner Kurt Fisher in the front row. This move comes in the absence of three other props, regular grafter Dexter Alderson, the ever-improving Jack Wenzel and new signing, Lukan Fortunato.

The second-row is occupied by the machine-like Christian Williams and recent signing Will Young who is showing signs of serious talent. 

Domas Flynn gets a chance at loose-forward with regular lock, Marcus Booth taking a rotation on the bench following a training ground knee twinge.

Sam Lee and Dominic Brooke rotate back to the bench but their contributions at hooker will be well received following strong, recent performances. Lee working hard at acting-half for most of the last game against Methley.

Brooke, when on form can grab quick yards from intelligent scoots and the Rangers will be looking for a strong performance from Brooke. 

George Terry makes his debut on the bench and will move into the three-quarter line. George is looking strong in training and is sure to cause problems for defenders with his strong attack. 

Connor Gleeson continues to police the left-edge and so far, has had a strong season.

Connor has a habit of getting himself into attacking positions that can really exploit defences, we just need to get the pass to him at the right time. 

Captain, Jacob Dewhirst Will lead the team from stand-off, assisted by Vice Captain and left centre, Dylan Greenwood. 

Between them, along with Hines as Pack Leader, the Rangers have a strong leadership team and with discipline, and determination on their side, this team will give their all. 

Good luck, Rangers.