7 February 2025

Rampant Seahorses glad to be back in action

by Bob Wardman

Withernsea RUFC 71
Grimsby 2nds 22

Withernsea kicked off their 2024-25 season with a home fixture against Grimsby, their longtime friendly rivals from across the Humber Bridge.

Conditions were excellent for rugby, with the sun shining and the pitch in good state, thanks to the attentions of Mick Moor. A crowd of more than 70 people turned out to enjoy an afternoon where 93 points were scored in an entertaining game. Among the crowd, it was pleasing to see John Dimberline, local councillor, supporting local clubs.

Withernsea came out of the blocks quickly and were the dominant side for the first 15 minutes, in spite of playing up the hill and against the wind. Grimsby tried to clear their lines with a kick, but this was badly done, and James Eldon started life as the new captain positively as he stepped past several players to score Withernsea’s first try.

From the restart, there was no let-up as Jack Hodgson took the catch and showed good pace and strength to charge 30 metres through several Grimsby defenders. Withernsea won a penalty, and the forwards drove the ball well, with Rob Weekes just short of the line, but Chris Sayers supported well to provide the home team’s second try.

The onslaught continued as Stan Broadbent dazzled the Grimsby lads with his tricky feet. A good offload saw James Eldon get his second try of the game to leave Withernsea 21-0 ahead, Stan having kicked all three conversions.

At this stage, it looked ominous for Grimsby, who had hardly got out of their own half. The visitors, however, rallied and looked a totally different side as they spent time in Withernsea’s 22-metre area, where they seemed to have an extra half yard of pace. They deservedly scored a try of their own as their forwards battered away at Withernsea’s defence.

Withernsea responded well as they moved the ball wide. As play switched back, Jake Bowen, sponsored by Slimming World, still had enough weight and strength to go through several tackles to score the next try. The next barnstorming run came from Lewis Eldon, who had cleverly come inside from his wing and was too strong and quick for the Grimsby boys.

Try number six came from a great run by Stan, which then saw the ball out wide, where Matt Holian, now in the forwards, ran through a gap and there was no stopping him from 30 metres out. The swap of Jake into the backs and big Matt to the forwards worked well, with both players looking comfortable in their new places and both getting on the score sheet.

The last action of the half saw Grimsby again sneak into Withernsea’s 22 and score their second try. Half-time saw a very healthy 40-10 lead for the home team.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first. A quick tap penalty saw Reegan Fox make yards before the ball went out wide, where Steve “Tweedy” Reed, none the worse for the couple of ports before he joined the game, put Will Folkard in for a score in the corner.

Withernsea again moved the ball wide, where Jake went close. As the ball was recycled, Jack Hodgson took it at pace and charged over for his first try, moving Withernsea up to a half-century – 52-10 after Stan’s conversion.

Grimsby showed spirit to keep attacking the home team and enjoyed a good spell where Withernsea were conceding penalties to keep out the visitors. The final penalty, conceded by Reegan for a slightly high contact, saw Grimsby awarded a penalty try and Reegan sin-binned – a team yellow card for the repeated offences.

The game continued to be entertaining as Tweedy slyly took the ball from the back of Grimsby’s ruck and ran 40 metres to score. Next was a poor Grimsby penalty, which went straight to Lewis, who ran it in well before popping to Jake. Jake went close again and was able to get the ball to Rob Hird, supporting well, to score Withernsea’s 10th try.

Next, Rob Perkins, back to playing after a nasty broken ankle, made a good 10 metres. Jack supported well and gave out a great long pass to Lewis, who had no trouble dispatching his winger for Withernsea’s final try.

Grimsby achieved a four-try bonus point with their fourth try, but the glory of the day went to Withernsea as they ran out 71-22 winners. This was an excellent team performance and hopefully a sign of things to come.