Eagerly Anticipated

Not since the owners of the White Star Line sent an ocean going luxury liner on a blind date with an iceberg has a fixture been so eagerly anticipated.

A return to full contact rugby after months of lockdown would be reason enough to cheer but Covid-19 and lockdown has had a disproportionate impact on many Mixed Ability rugby participants. Many of the Bumbles players have had to plot a course between greater risk of ill health if they catch Covid and the significant harms of isolation including: loss of social capital, loss of physical fitness and reduced mental wellbeing. The fact that they navigated these treacherous seas successfully is a great credit to the players and their support networks.

Would Missing Players Sink Bumbles’ Ambitions?

With Bumbles missing many of their star players including Paul “The Maul” Whyatt, Ryan Kirby (shielding) and Tom Beattie (unable to travel from lower tier to tier 3) the only question was whose hopes would be sunk when the epic played out.

Curtain Raiser

As a curtain raiser to the main event there was a game of touch rugby in the “return to play” format. The Bumbles team in this match was skippered by Katrina Dobson on debut with her sister Bronte Windle. Keen to establish a Women’s Mixed Ability rugby team, both sisters showcased skills that they have developed over the summer with some wonderful running lines.  Debutants  “Mighty” Gideon Simpson and Haley Rhodes were also prominent for the visitors.

Wicked High Ball

Hosts Keighley had the best of early play and worked deep into Bumbles territory. Spotting space and a mismatch out wide, Hamish Pratt launched a wicked crossfield kick skywards. Isolated and outnumbered by onrushing Keighley players twice his size Michael “Giddy” Whittaker out jumped the attacking wave to secure the ball. From their own try line Bumbles worked the ball the entire length of the pitch using their forwards in twin pods. The play included trademark penetrating runs from Bumbles founder player Anthony Brooke and wrecking ball Cam Smith. Having sucked in defenders, Bumbles now released their speedsters with Sufyaan Hussain rounding the last defender to dot down in the corner. The touchline conversion by Dan “You’re in the Army Now” Fletcher was good. (0-7)

Riposte

The riposte from the home side was immediate. Quick hands and elusive running saw Keighley in under the posts. The easy conversion somehow drifted wide. (5-7)

Blinded by the light

Bumbles again pressed. This time it was the high ball that did the damage. Jake “Dazzled” Ruff collected and was through, only to inexplicably drop the ball as he crossed the try line. To guffaws from his father David Ruff, Ruff junior was to explain that the floodlights had disorientated him. Fortunately for the visitors the error was not costly with Keighley giving up possession in their own 22. Sufyaan Hussain again worked the edges to score. Kev Pringle’s conversion attempt kept low and didn’t get above the Plimsoll line. (5-12)

Dancing Feet

After a break to sanitise hands, two Bumbles player coaches showed their skills. Leon “The Pocket Rocket” Taylor used his dancing feet to draw defenders before feeding Ahsan Sakandar who ran a beautiful supporting line cutting through the drift defence. The move was finished off by Darren Heigold who still had work to do to beat his winger. Such was Darren’s elation at crossing the try line, he almost forgot to ground the ball before running out of the in goal area. (5-17)

Rhino Charge

Stephen “Rhino” Rhodes penetrated with a typical charge, scattering Keighley defenders. Michael Kernan took the ball on with mazy running. Michael “Giddy” Whittaker was on hand to take the scoring pass. Rhino Rhodes added the extras with the conversion. (5-24)

Turnover ball saw Will “Chinny” Tomlinson running hard like he was scrambling for the last place in a lifeboat. This set up Michael “Giddy” Whittaker to double his tally with a second try. This time it was Big Lee Hainsworth who converted. (5-31)

Big Lee Hainsworth was soon in the action again as he and Michael Kernan moved the ball deep into Keighley territory.

Mark “thinks he’s a Kamikaze twin but in reality he’s more like one of the Proclaimers” Goodwin zigged and zagged before putting Michael “Giddy” Whittaker in for his hat trick. (5-36)

Another Keighley spill gave the visitors quick turnover ball and Stephen “Rhino” Rhodes took advantage, crossing to extend the lead as the final period approached. (5-43)

And the Band Played On

In the fourth quarter the home side, determined to go down fighting, were boosted by the addition of several Bumbles players who gave Keighley added sting.

As Bumbles found themselves increasingly on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle, Keighley were able to close the gap with a well worked try. (10-43)

With the clock ticking Kev Pringle, now in Keighley hoops, scored. Converted Ahsan Sakander.

(17-43)

Last Word

With Keighley clinging on like Leonardo DiCaprio to a waterlogged door, it was Bumbles who had the final hurrah. Sam Evans who had only just started training with Bumbles during a recent placement with International Mixed Ability Sports as part of his Bradford University Physiotherapy degree showed his fine footballing skills to hack through a loose ball. The bounce was kind: Sam collected on the final whistle to score his first try on his Bumbles debut and in his first ever rugby match. Smiles all round. Leon Taylor added the conversion. (17-50 Full Time)

Rugby is the Winner

Unlike the encounter between liner and iceberg there were no losers in this epic collision. Keighley were brilliant hosts and the superb RFU artificial grass pitch under floodlights enabled both sides to play First Class rugby. Whilst Keighley might regret some more “steerage class” errors: missed tackles and poor ball retention, Hamish Pratt was keen to emphasise that it had been a useful run out that had given the home side lots to reflect and work on. In the end, of course, as it is every weekend up and down the country, rugby was and is the winner.

Thanks to players, coaches, match officials for putting smiles on so many faces.

Written by: Mark Purvis
Photography: Mick Massey

Both teams had large squads with an amazing 28 players for Bumbles Bees, especially considering the number of player unavailabilities. A huge thanks to new players Andy Fradgley (RFU RDO), Callum Harris, Paul MacNamara and Jolly Dobbs (West Yorkshire Society Referee) – we hope you enjoyed the experience and will be back for more.

The first half started at an impressive pace with both teams attacking between the 22s. After 15 minutes Stephen (Rhino) Rhodes made the breakthrough with an impressive break and long run to touch down (5-0).

After the first score Darren made yards down the wing, with the forwards making strides up the middle including the mighty BIG Lee but handling errors handed the ball back to the opposition, who came back with intent. Another attack from deep inside Bumble’s half led to another Rhino try finishing at pace, from distance (10-0).

Halifax came back into the match with two short range tries and a conversion to take a lead (10-12) into half time.

At the break, Bumble Bees made multiple changes to ensure everybody had half a game. Although many changes were made it didn’t seem to affect the home team’s attacking prowess, with great hands and support play leading to multiple opportunities. Unfortunately, BIG Lee missed a try scoring opportunity when running the ball dead and several other attacks were contained by impressive defence by the Magpies. Another attack from broken play led to another long range score for the in-form Rhino, who converted his own try to enable the Bumble’s to take the lead into the last quarter (17-12).

The Magpie showed great fitness, teamwork and commitment to enable them to score 3 great tries to take the lead coming into the last 5 minutes (17-27).

The Bumble’s weren’t going to allow Magpie’s to win by a 10 point margin, and a perfect scrum attack led to Jack Thornber scoring a spectacular try in the corner with 1 minute remaining – even more impressive was his ‘Ronaldo’ celebration and dance (22-27).

With the restart being the last play, Bumble’s tried to get a winning try but just couldn’t break through a solid and committed Magpie’s defence.

The Magpie’s celebrated the win in a very close match and all players look forward to the next encounter.

Final Score:
Bumble Bees (22) – Halifax Magpies (27)

Tries: Rhino (3); Jack (1)
Conversion: Rhino (1)

Finally, a hugs thanks to all the supporters and to Tom Massey for refereeing – he did a great job to keep the match flowing and everyone smiling.

Note: Photos from Mick Massey to follow.

This was the 9th annual meeting between the sides who contest the H Bomb Cup. Although neither side has been able to win the game away, the matches have traditionally been close and the Warriors lost by a point back in July. All were set then, for another titanic struggle, with two healthy sized squads named.

It was no surprise that the contest was pretty even throughout and from the early stages it was a hard fought battle. The Warriors had slight territorial advantage early on but couldn’t get a breakthrough. The Bumbles might have been in their own half most of the time but had several breakouts that might easily have resulted in scores. The tension seemed to get to some players with some uncharacteristic mistakes but it was still very absorbing.

What was apparent was that the sides knew each other well with big players like Lee Hainsworth (Bumbles) and Simon Day (Warriors) heavily marked. With both sides looking to counterattack whenever possible, kicking was a dangerous option with the Bumbles especially sharp in the back three. This meant both sides looked to their big carriers to make ground and it certainly wasn’t a place for the faint hearted as an attritional battled developed.

The Warriors pressure, with Tomos Hall to the fore, forced numerous penalties and in the end the referee felt he had no option but to award a penalty try.

It was straight back to the trench warfare though until eventually the Warriors worked Thomas Edwards out wide and he scampered over for the games opening score proper which was successfully converted.

The Bumbles upped their efforts and pressed the Warriors back down field. a number of forward rumbles eventually resulted in them driving over the line and from underneath the bodies a try was awarded.

14-5 at half time and with plenty of fresh players from both sides there was no let up in intensity. Paul Whyatt was impressive for the Bumbles and Michael Whitaker had a fine game. For the Warriors Thomas Ashour ran hard and Lloyd Crowley showed some neat touches.

Into the third quarter and the Warriors scored again, Jamie Evans breaking a tackle and scooting over.

With time running out, the Bumbles redoubled their efforts and pounded the Warriors line. Will Tomlinson rampaged through some tired defence but a missed conversion meant the Warriors were two scores clear. Tomlinson again broke through and this time the conversion was good.

With their lead but to two, the Warriors had to redouble efforts and held on to seal the win.

The next day, both sides travelled up to Cardiff with the Warriors facing Cardiff Quins and the Bumbles facing the capitals mixed ability team, the Cardiff Chiefs. After the excursions of the night before perhaps it was no surprise that both teams lost. The Warriors shipped 45 points to an impressive Quins team but scored 3 good tries of their own. It was familiar faces with Evans, Edwards and a guesting Tomlinson crossing the line. Dylan Crolla impressed on the win and Youseff El Taweb was named man ofthe match.

The weekend was again triumph for inclusive sports with three quality encounters again demonstrating that disability need not be a barrier to full participation.

Hell of a battle of a game. Great to see Josh Crowther back in Warriors colours in amongst a jumbo squad of players – hopefully all felt that they played a part in the match, it was very difficult to organise. It was a great game with some big hits and plenty of excitement.

Tomos Hall was deserved man of the match but mention to Yanis whose tackling made a huge impact in the second half. Just to emphasise the physical nature: Fudge, Lloydipop, Hapus and Daydream all had to leave the field with knocks. Fussy also picked up an injury but that was in the warm up – courtesy of the Tominator.

Back at the clubhouse there was the usual presentations and then some 6 nations games, organised by Jamie, that apparently the Warriors also won.

It was into town for the night – and the girls with shiny beads, and karaoke in the Met bar and other dirty deeds

Photos from Mick Massey here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/llanelliwarriorsrfc/photos/warriors-v-bumble-bees-22219-mick-masseys-880118.html

Who were they? Could they play rugby? Could they be tackled? Could they run?

The opponents were not a type of team that Mosborough had previously faced. They were the Bumbles. A mixed ability team from Bingley that included players with and without learning disabilities.

The club had been prepared perfectly and reasonable adjustment had been considered, such as taking those who couldn’t walk a long distance, by car to the pitch. Despite all this, the Mosborough players still were wary of what the game would look like. Would it be just a jog and a cuddle? Would it be tokenistic?

After a warm welcome by Mosborough and far too much cuddling beforehand (by Bumbles new player, Giddy) the team changed. The away side emblematic of its namesake in bright yellow and black stripes and the home side in jet black with blood red flashes, they headed over to the pitch. I swear it was about a 15 mile hike there and this out of shape Bumble was ready for a rest.

However, no rest for the wicked and both teams warmed up together. Mixed in as one, the home side were fantastic at integrating the away lads and ensuring no groins were pulled, no matter how many pretty ladies were on the touchline.
Next came the first real work. Mosborough as most team do when playing the bumbles, had a wide range of questions and the best way to answer these was to have a quick game of “pick and go” and touch and pass. The answers came quickly.

• Yes you can tackle the Bumbles
• Yes they will tackle you
• Yes they do hit hard
• Yes they do have silky skills in the backline ( forwards are just battering rams)
• Yes they are just another team.

Kick off came and the teams lined up. Prestigious premiership official Robin Goodliffe was in charge and from the outset drew his lines of authority. The teams had decided on 4 quarters of 20 minutes in the South Yorkshire Sun which enable them to take water on board, kindly provided along with bananas, by the local Asda.

After pressuring the home line for a good 5 minutes, Mosborough got a little lucky. Running in two tries from distance and exploiting the commitment to attack from all 15 of the Bumbles. The Bumbles hit back with aplomb. 4 tries was the response, most converted by Big Lee Hainesworth and scored by backs and forwards.

The lead edged back and fore or the next 60 minutes with no team more than a try or two ahead. By now the home team were fully aware of the power and pace of the Bumbles and a few of the old boys were blowing out of their backsides after chasing and failing to stop new boys Giddy and Michael scoring on the wings.

Then came the last 10 minutes. With Mosborough leading by 5 the Bumbles scored the best try of their tenure as a rugby team. Some 7’s style magic ended with flanker and Italian love machine, Martino diving over the sacred line.

35 -35. 2 minutes left. The Bumbles forwards, relentless in pod work and pressure edged to the line. Two failed attempts ended with last season’s captain, Kevin Pringle ploughing over the whitewash. Big Lee converted for 42-35 and the ref blew the final whistle.

After many more hugs (from everyone this time) the Bumbles and Mosborough headed for the changing rooms and drink-up.

In the bar afterwards, pie and peas (and beans) were consumed and beer was downed – well sort of. Men of the match (Big Lee of the Bumbles and the captain of Mosborough – Jake Eyre) and Dick of the day (Cookie for the Bumbles – a number 8 kicking??? – and  Jamie Hollis of the home side) took their places for the downing of the obligatory pint of something disgusting and dark. Big Lee won of course with Cookie second. The Home side so let down by their players that Big Lee even had to finish downing their pints!

Steve 

Llanelli Warriors deservedly achieved their third victory in five editions of the annual England v Wales mixed ability rugby international game. With the battle of Burry Port, after 80 minutes of great rugby, the home team avenged their national side’s defeat prevailing over the Bumbles for 37-10.

The Bumbles scored only two tries, but showed a fierce spirit and a great teamwork, which they must be proud of. All the players did their best, supporting each other and playing according to the Spirit of the Game.
Outstanding, among the others, were the performances of Ahsan Sakandar and Martin Sands, who came close to score its first international try.