Up-T-Hoop

The Yorkshire squad practiced in June/July and then weekly during the run-up to the Lilleshall tournament.

In September a squad of 15 players travelled to Leicester to compete in a tournament, playing three games winning two and losing one.

10 players and three coaches travelled to Lilleshall for the tournament. Yorkshire were drawn in the strongest pool and the first game was a difficult start against the eventual tournament winners, London. Superior athleticism and size combined with Yorkshire’s slow start meant a 49 – 19 defeat.

The second game saw a significant improvement in performance from Yorkshire, against the South who were well organised and talented. A tense game and competitive game was eventually won by Yorkshire 36 – 29.

Against a weak West Midlands team Yorkshire made a slow start but eventually overpowered the opposition to win 47 – 27.

The final game of a long day was against an aggressive North West team. Yorkshire made an excellent start, matching the North West for defensive effort and building a lead. Unfortunately Yorkshire’s scoring dried up and North West took the lead in the last minute to win 35 – 37.

The competitive nature of the pool meant that the South went on to beat the North West, which on count back allowed Yorkshire finish second in the pool.

Finishing second meant Yorkshire went on to compete against the North East for third spot in the ten team competition.

The Yorkshire team’s play got stronger during the tournament and the last game was the culmination of that improvement as the team comfortably defeated the North east 45 – 22

This was a very creditable performance by the Yorkshire squad and consequently two members of the team have been included in England development squads:

Dennis Kaka (Sheffield Junior Sharks) has been invited to join the older ’94 squad.
Oliver Hannam (Leeds Tigers) has been invited to join the ’95 squad

The individuals total scoring for the tournament was as follows:

Rafel Saipe 11; Callum Saxon 6; Marcus Welsh 27; Dennis Kaka 40; Reece Marshall 19; Darien Campbell 4; Oliver Hannam 17; Charlie Harvey 13; Connor Dixon 21; Jordan Bingham 19.