Wyke ARLFC played Queensbury on the 10th March 2018, in the semi-final of the Bradford cup at Asa Briggs. With the sides evenly matched in their previous two encounters, it was thought that the game would go down to the wire with the stakes been so high. With a growing injury list myself and Baz set about naming a team that could turn the Queensbury outfit over on their own soil after narrowly losing at home only 4 weeks before.
When Jordan Payton lost the coin toss and was forced to go down hill first we knew we had to post points and at the same time, ensure we tired the massive pack of Queensbury, so when it was their turn to go down hill their energy levels were low. After a solid warm up and a very tactical team talk from both players and coaching staff the players set about their business posting 2 unanswered tries, from Ryan Exley and Cameron Foster with Cameron adding the extras for one of the tries. Just on the stroke of half time a penalty was awarded to us under the sticks which the decision was made to go in at half time 12-0 up.
In the second half a fantastic display from the forwards saw Wyke make big yards up the steep slope of Asa Briggs, only to be sucker punched by an array of errors and penalty’s to allow Queensbury back in the game through try from the Queensbury second rower Brett Marriot. However that was the last chance we gave Queensbury with Cameron foster Grabbing another brace to complete his hat trick and Tevin Campbell sealing Wykes place in the final for the first time in 34 years. All that was left to do was shake the Queensbury boy’s hands and sing to the tune of Molly Malone which was planned to perfection by the skipper Jordan Payton.
As the coach of such a young squad I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past year, runners up in the Summer League and our best win ratio in the Pennine league for nearly 10 years, as well as running the impressive Sharlestone close in the Yorkshire cup. This is our next natural step in what will be a long journey to take Wyke back to greatness where our joint ambitions are for both open age and junior teams to be playing in the top competitions and competing year in year out. I hope to see everyone at the game who can make it on the 7th April 2018, Kick-off time to be confirmed.
I would like to also thank everyone who has supported our team over the past 12 months from players and staff, the committee and the general supporters of Wyke whether parents friends or just spectators. Your support is massively appreciated from me and the lads.

Ian Wormald

(Wyke ARLFC Open Age Head Coach)