Wyke's second string made the short journey to Eccleshill to compete in a Bradford derby against Victoria Rangers, in the first round of the Hudson Foster Cup. Coach Daniel Barraclough handed out two debuts to stand-off Ben Woodhead & forward Steve Wright, as well as naming the returning Curtis Kent, Keiran Helliwell, John Loxam & veteran Darren Barraclough in the 17 man squad.

Captain Danny Stocks lost the toss and the Rangers decided to receive, attacking from left to right. Wyke began the game on the back foot as Bradley Ellis' kick found touch on the full. From the penalty Rangers took two solid drives up field before trying their chances out wide. Wingman Aiden Melling produced a superb try saving tackle but on the resulting play the ball, the ball found its way into the hands off the young Rangers half back and he chipped the ball over the top. Andy Naylor misjudged his dive for the ball and the Rangers half back scooped the ball up, enabling him to waltz over beneath the sticks. To the surprise of everyone Rangers missed the kick from in front of the sticks but nonetheless led 4-0. It wasn't long however until Rangers however found themselves over the chalk again. Despite some good defence from Gary Smith, Andy Naylor & Kieran Helliwell the young Rangers half back collected his brace as he bamboozled the Wyke defence, evading numerous tackles. Again the conversion was missed from in front of the sticks so they led 8-0. From this point onwards Rangers never looked back as they took complete control of the game, despite some sterling efforts from Danny Windle, Danny Stocks, Bradley Ellis and Jordan Longbottom in both attack and defence. Rangers extended their lead even further when their loose forward ran across the line before finding a back rower who powered through the line, scoring beneath the sticks. They then kept their tremendous kicking form up, missing their third kick from beneath the uprights. Wyke trailed 12-0. With key men having to leave the fray with injuries Wyke had to reshuffle the 13. The changes however didn't make a difference in the flow of the game, Aiden Melling produced a try saving tackle before Rangers shipped the ball out wide, creating a overlap to cross. To the surprise of no one the conversion was missed and it was the Rangers kicking that was playing a vital role in keeping Wyke in the contest as they only trailed 16-0. Wyke then began to show some resistance and Bradley Ellis, Andy Naylor, Darren Barraclough & Ben Woodhead began to produce some crunching tackles. When it looked like Wyke would of began to apply some pressure the ball found its way into the hands of the Rangers loose forward and he strolled through the defence before running at Bradley Ellis and leaving him in his wake. He crossed beneath the sticks but this time the conversion was successful, they led 22-0. With the half entering its final quarter Wyke fell further behind. Rangers broke and when their second rower could have crossed he unselfishly passed to the half back, enabling him to collect his treble. He converted so his team led 28-0. Off the back of some intelligent play the half back then collected his fourth and final try of the day. He again converted and his team had an impressive 34-0 lead. With the first stanza entering its closing stages the Rangers completed their scoring for the half, they again produced a magnificent short ball, finding their loose forward and with the momentum he had, he beat full back Bradley Ellis in a race to the line, it was converted so they led 40-0. Bradley Ellis produced an outstanding restart that bounced out and gifted Wyke possession. From the scrum new half back Ben Woodhead took the ball up. This was followed by a barn storming Andy Naylor run and he nearly powered over, Wyke were awarded a penalty for a head high shot. From the tap restart Darren Barraclough came on to the ball steaming and he knocked a sorry defender over before spinning out of a tackle and crashing over. Bradley Ellis dually tagged on the extras, making the score 40-6. With that the half came to a close.

HALF TIME: Victoria Rangers 40-6 Wyke 'A'.

The second stanza was an incredibly tight encounter with only four points been scored, the way the game should of been from the start. Wyke started the better when centre Ryan Kershaw and forwards Andy Naylor, Darren Hartley and Tony Godfrey made inroads in the Rangers defence. Both packs were trying to dominate and get on top of the other. The Rangers opened the scoring for the second half when their loose forward dummied and broke, before drawing in the full back and finding the grateful wingman, allowing him to cross in the corner. The conversion was missed and Rangers led 44-6. Coach Daniel Barraclough then gifted forward Steve Wright with a debut and he made an instant impact, taking two drives in the following set and breaking on one. On the 5th tackle hooker Danny Windle dummied one way and passed the other, he found Ben Woodhead who fired an outstanding ball out wide to Ryan Kershaw who ran over a Rangers defender and crossed, however the try was disallowed for a 'forward' pass. Curts Kent and John Loxam then made respective breaks, gifting Wyke yet more good territory. Glenn Scott took a scoot before Andy Naylor sprinted on to the ball and broke the line, when he looked certain to crash over the Rangers fullback ankle tapped him. On the 5th Danny Stocks put boot to ball, only finding the Rangers wingman. He returned the ball and Gary Smith produced an outstanding tackle. However he fell awkwardly and was forced off with an injury. Shortly after the game came to an end.

FULL TIME: Victoria Rangers 44-6 Wyke 'A'.

Wyke produced a magnificent effort in the second half only conceding 4 points compared to the firsts 40.

Debutant Ben Woodhead was selected as Man Of The Match.

Before the game a minutes silence took place in honour of Grandad Binns. Rest In Peace.

The team Daniel Barraclough named:
1. Bradley Ellis
2. Aiden Melling
3. Jordan Longbottom
4. Ryan Kershaw
5. Glenn Scott
6. Ben Woodhead
7. Danny Stocks
8. Andy Naylor
9. Danny Windle
10. Gary Smith
11. Curtis Kent
12. Tony Godfrey
13. Kieran Helliwell

Subs:
Darren Hartley
Steve Wright
Darren Barraclough
John Loxam.

WYKE A.R.L.F.C.

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