The spirit is the true self. The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.

The 3rd XV shaped up with a competitive pack of regulars and a pacy back line augmented by ex Leo and Harrogate 1st teamer Tim Heaton in the “Charlie Chester’s” role! The 4th XV pack had been superb all season but they were in for a fractious and brutal evenings work as the 3rds more than matched them for aggression, speed and endeavour. In the backs, Grant returned at 9, moving the diminutive Jake to 10 where he had license to release the solid centres and pacy wingers that lined up outside.
As expected, the early exchanges were fierce and set the scene for a fast paced, skilful and largely entertaining evening’s rugby. Thommo, Si H and Gav fronted up to the Cadge led opposing scrum with Scotty and Westwood in the engine room. Henry the Dog added the boshability to a back row where the pace was added by CJ and Winters. Competition for the ball was ferocious as neither side could really gain the ascendancy, nor make the telling break. Ben and Joe worked hard in midfield but were repelled by strong defence before the ball could be spun wider to speedsters Tom and Carl. The 3rds scored first with some individual brilliance from The Herring who chipped over and chased through for the touchdown. The 4ths tore back at their superiors and with some great pick and drive manoeuvres, augmented by territorial bootings they found themselves in their opponents 22. Good work was undone by transgressions as The Fozeree relieved the pressure! The 4th XV defence was strong and Tim Heaton prevented a turnover, then a quick tap from Gav and both sides reached for their Bottega Ventas before Heaton was removed for 10 minutes. The 4th XV couldn’t make this advantage count as only a tap tackle stopped Tom from arcing in and more transgressing led to pressure relief for the numerically bereft 3rd XV. Eventually another half chance was snaffled up and a 10 point lead established despite calls for blocking from the cover defence.
The half time team talk was calm but authoritative as it was clear that the game was still very much in the balance. Westwood retired exhausted, meaning Scotty couldn’t, yet. Matt W came into the pack to add further aggression at the breakdowns and Kenroy was added to the back line for some line breaking charges. Winters was winning good lineout ball and the 4th XV were playing most of the game in the 3rds 22 but not getting the breaks. Henry The Dog was taking the ball up with aggression, matched only in the tackles he received! The back line was slowly getting more decent ball but the pressure was once again undone by yet another silly penalty and it was back to square one. Gav retired hurt and Josh added some more bulk to the pack with Phil “The Difference” Thompson moving to hooker. Scotty limped off and Kinga joined the fray.
Just when the 4th XV belief was wobbling, and the 3rd XV defence holding firm the backs altered their attacking lines from out wide to straight and a slick move saw Joe Derry dive (very gaily) over in finishing off a 60 yard move for Jake to pop over the extras. With 10 minutes to play the 4th XV spirit bubbled up again and the pack battled forward for some decent yardage before the backs interpassed to release Grant who crabbed his way to the line with the cover defence hot on his heels, and Scotty hollering from the side lines. Jake increased the lead and the call for focus on defensive duties was issued. The 4th XV stood up to the onslaught, as they had rehearsed at Ossett the previous weekend. Kenroy made a try saving tackle, Jake was collateral damage from a Thommo incursion at the break down and JP nearly died for the cause. Toby came on for Jake and the last 5 minutes dragged on. The Fozaree disallowed a try for a double movement as the 3rd XV threw everything at the 4ths who stayed strong with Ben H now controlling the defence from 10. Finally the whistle went and the 4ths had regained The Barber Bowl with yet another spirited performance that, this time, went rewarded.
As RA Salvatore wrote “The physical powers of the body cannot be separated from the rationale of the mind and the emotions of the heart. They are one and the same, a compilation of a singular being. It is in the harmony of these three-body, mind, and heart- that we find spirit”. The 4th XV showed it throughout, and in a game where there was no room for sentiment the unused bench of Billy, Jon, Ray and Sparky all played their part in a valuable supporting role. Celebratory beers, awards, speeches and “Bowl Drinking” followed before the evening ended on a sour note for Scotty when he was taken on to a late bar that didn’t serve any bitter!!! But perhaps it was a night where, after a tough but ultimately rewarding season there was no room for bitterness!!