Silver lining for the Wibsey stalwarts
Wibsey 33, Edlington Granby 3.
Sunday, May 2 will be a special day for both Richard Hands and Richard King.
Both should be lining up for their fifth Independent Agriculture Yorkshire Silver Trophy final for Wibsey.
And, to make things even better, it will be a derby against Baildon at Wagon Lane.
No 8 Hands has played in Wibsey's previous four - the losses in to Old Modernians (1987), Bridlington (1988 ) and Knottingley (1990), and the victory in 1995 against Dinnington.
Centre King has played in the last three, but was on the bench for the 1987 defeat at Ilkley.
The 32-year-old, who scored 18 points in their 33-3 semi-final victory at home to Edlington Granby on Saturday, would understand it if he wasn't picked, though.
"That was only my third match of the season, and I don't mind if Wibsey prefer someone who is available all the time," he explained.
"If Gary Durn wants to play someone who has played all season or even put me on the bench, then that is fine with me. I won't be disgruntled."
He added: "I retired from rugby in 1996 because my wife Cathy and I had a son Oliver who suffers from Down's Syndrome.
"He's three now, but it obviously means I have to spend more time at home with my wife to help look after Oliver.
"I played a couple of games for Wibsey Vets last season, but have only played for the first team against Stocksbridge in the league and Mosborough and Edlington in the Trophy.
"As for Edlington, the plan was to get on top early, and Jason France took a lot of good line-out ball and fellow lock Ian Percival had some strong runs.
"We were confident we would win and, although they had come back in the second half against Knaresborough, we never thought they would against us."
Looking forward to the final against Baildon, King said: "It will be a good derby.
"It will probably bring a lot of old buddies together. We scored three tries to their one in a recent Yorkshire Division Three clash against them, but lost out to Dave Wilde's goal-kicking, so discipline is very important for us.
"Both sides have a good set of supporters and it will be great for Bradford rugby as a whole -and especially for Wibsey as we have been relegated for three seasons in succession."
King put Wibsey on top with three early penalties, and right winger Dan Horsfall, just 18, crossed for a try in the right corner, King converting superbly as the home side built up a 16-0 interval lead.
Edlington Granby, who are likely to be league opponents for Wibsey in Yorkshire Division Four next season, looked as disjointed during the match as they had in their line-out practice beforehand.
They managed only a Malcolm Spavin penalty down the slope in the second half.
Wibsey finished with a late flourish, however, that ace try-poacher Micky Ball adding two contrasting efforts.
His first came when Edlington's replacement scrum half Steve Hanson shovelled a pass along the ground, the flanker plucking the ball from between two defenders to touch down.
His second was an individual effort, King improving both as well as adding another penalty.
BILL MARSHALL