1st Team

Mixed emotions in a game of two halves as the visitors Thornhill Trojans secured promotion with a 35-16 win over Jude’s which leaves St Jude’s right in the mix of the playoffs, hopefully with two home games. Jude’s opening 25 mins was right up there with their best performances of the season when on 5 mins second rower Gavin Roddens neat flick pass to winger Ashley Marshall who shot down the wing and managed to go behind the sticks, Rob Collier goaled 6-0. Then a fired up Jude’s had to at their best with Thornhill as they put pressure on the Judes line, Nathan Bevan , Tom Owen, Oly Oladele, Gavin Rodden and Paul Pendlebury all working hard to stop the Thornhill raids. 10 mins gone and Jude’s struck again when Paul Pendlebury found Winger Ben Jones who crashed over on the right. Thornhill came right back again at Jude’s and only for a superb tackle from Connor Parkinson who managed to hold the Thornhill player up over the line would have scored. 25 mins gone and Jude’s scored again with Luke Barrett wriggling his way over by the posts, Collier goaled and Judes were well in the driving seat at 16-0. Backs Rob Fenney, Baz Rothwell, Dean Hunt and Nathan Bevan were always at The helm of everything good  and Gavin Rodden, Ben Jones and  Daz Ball were always dangerous with the ball. The final 12 minutes of the first half was all Thornhill as they rattled up 16 unanswered points and it seemed that every mistake or indiscipline by Jude’s was punished with points as they went in at the break 16 all. The second half was hard to bare as The Visitors ran in 19 unanswered points Jude’s did have chances to get back into the game but alas it wasn’t to be. This loss leaves Judes with the play off route for promotion, hopefully with two home ties. Great to see a large crowd at the Meadow on Saturday and we need that support in the play offs. Next Week home to Askam need the win lads.

Under 13’s

Halton Hornets  12-6 Judes  

Not a good day for rugby league in Wigan today!  Judes made the trip over to our closest rivals, Halton Farnworth Hornets.  You could tell from the outset this was going to be a battle up the middle as both teams lock horns in defence and our captain Kalan Devine led the troops from the front.  Judes were the first to strike, after a great break and some fancy footwork from Callum Silcock, found himself a gap to dive over the whitewash.  Conversion by James Richardson put us 6 in the lead.  Judes started well in attack with a clever chip over by Ryan that was chased by Alfie, but Halton scooped up the ball and a massive tackle from Alfie dislodged the ball for a scrum.  Halton unfortunately, were up to the task defensively and forced us into touch.  After Judes gifted territory with a penalty and knock-on, Halton took a scrum close to our line and our defence for the first time seemed to open up for the Hornets to equalise.  Judes finished the half with power plays, but just couldn’t crack Halton’s line to go in all square at half time.

Judes just weren’t on their metal today and had an unusually quiet second half.  Halton seemed to punish us with kicks and their second try came off the back of a long kick that couldn’t be taken in and Halton took full advantage to record another 6 points.  Judes replied with a good attacking set and a great kick over on the last saw Halton going into touch with the ball.  Although we got the ball back, we just couldn’t penetrate Halton’s line this half.  Halton were again camped on our line and were awarded a penalty for offside, they opted to take the two with time ticking away, thankfully they missed as that would have been game over.  Judes had one last chance to get over and did go close, but Halton stand firm till the end and deny us to take the game 12-6.

Disappointing day for Judes and can’t quite put my finger on what went wrong , it was just one of those days, but credit to Halton, they were great defensively.  We’ll get back into training and sort this out, ready for our revenge in 2 weeks!

Today’s Awards go to:

Outstanding Effort: Josh Clarke, was outstanding today and really stood out in defence.

Outstanding Effort: Kalan Devine, our captain fantastic, took us forward strongly and was massive in defence.

Man of the Match: Reece Stanton, always stands out in the game, really worked hard taking the ball forward.  Had an outstanding season.

Under 11’s

Orrell St James 30-12 Wigan St Judes

Today was another local derby.

Orrell were quick out of the blocks and into an early lead before Rohan Green brought us level. Orrell then scored 2 tries after spell of great defence and attack from Judes, a few time Judes could have had James' but white line fever struck and at the break it was 18 - 6 to Orrell.

The second saw Judes take the game to Orrell regaining the ball from the kick off with Deecan Snape being first on to the ball. Judes were back in the game with Deecan being first to a cross field ball drawing Judes within 6 points. This was the spark for Judes, James Molyneux could have brought Judes level will a great kick return only to be caught a metre from the line. Big efforts from Max Jones and Delcan Boyd just couldn't swing the game Judes way and at the end Orrell had the game at 30 - 12.

After all What has gone on over the past couple weeks with players leaving, the Judes effort hasn't wavered. All the players should be proud as other team have given up but the Judes spirit is something they haven't lost!!

Well done!

Awards this week

Man of the Match - Max Jones

Parents man of the Match - Kian Stanton

Coaches Award - Declan Boyd

Effort Award - James Molyneux

Under 11’s - Golds

Wigan St Judes Golds U11s 24-10   Westhoughton Lions

The Golds played their first home fixture since the break today, welcoming down Westhoughton Lions for our second meeting of the season so far. Playing for just the second time on a full length pitch and seeing two new player debuts from Judes newest recruits, Ryan Sweatman and Aaron Bolton.

The game started with both teams fighting hard in defence to keep their opponents out, causing frustration and mistakes from both attacking sides. Four sets gone and no score saw The Golds concentration, line speed and structure start to crack and Westhoughton drove the ball hard up the middle with Judes falling off tackles and looking half asleep. Westhoughton took full advantage of the slack defence and pushed over to take the first points of the match. The kick sailing just under the bar saw the visitors leading 4-0.

Annoyed by this under par effort, The Golds restarted by hitting BIg Mal Price from the halfway line, one run was all he needed to level up, storming over unchallenged. Austin Daniel converting and Westhoughton losing their lead twenty seconds after taking it! 6-4

Westhoughton fought back hard and it took great strength and urgency from the Judes line to hold them up three times over the line. New boy Aaron Bolton getting stuck straight and tucking himself under a Westhoughton attempt. Judes forced the turnover but were pinned in by a valiant Lions pack, again we turned to the big guy to get us out of trouble as our backs were being muscled by the markers. Big Mal stepped up and took the ball from one try line to the other, a true full lengther. Just what the Judes had ordered after a worrying three runs not moving passed the ten metre line! Keegan Mobey had brought his kicking boots and converted easily. 12-4

12-4 Half time.

We asked the lads for a lot more at halftime, the game was very boring, one man rugby and not what we are all about. We wanted to show our passing and kicking ability and felt the kids were not showing what they were made of. Regardless of the scoreline being in our favour, we were not showing what our backs could do and were relying heavily on the forwards.

We kicked off and showed a much better defensive set. Sam Cunliffe, Aron Fleming and Elton Paplekaj throwing themselves into every tackle with props Malachi Price and Malick Niang putting in the big hits and pressuring the Lion's attack. Judes went back at them with Austin Daniel picking out Dylan Gregory who ran the perfect inside line throughout but with all the tricks and effort in the world we could not break them down. The Lions were back on the attack and Maliki 'Paddy' Cullen and Freddie Winnard had to put in some impressive tackles to stop  them pushing through. With Jake Hare and Tyler Foster holding them up once more on the line, we found ourselves in an identical position and again used Mal to get out of trouble, challenged by five Westhoughton players and batting them off one after the other to secure his hat trick. Dylan Gregory adding the two 18-4

Our final try was what we had been waiting for, good hands from Ryan Sweatman, Aaron Bolton and Keegan Mobey saw Westhoughton beginning to panic. Full back Austin Daniel recognised this panic and disorganisation and attacked the line before throwing the dummy and splitting them enough to break. Going it alone from half way with none of the Lions able to match his pace. Elton Paplekaj adding the final points with a perfect kick 24-4

We allowed The Lions to nip in for a final try which they had converted leaving the final score 24-10.

Definitely not our best today. It is easy for opponents to see Mal and say "One man team" so we pride ourselves on using him from our own line and never playing crash rugby. We always have at least three or four different try scorers but today we were very lucky to have him. We will learn from this though and take the coach's words (that will still be ringing in their ears haha) into our next game. Every child on this team is exceptionally talented but some days it just doesn't come together as you would like. Today someone said "A win's a win"  At 11's, we don't feel this way, we want a performance that does us justice, a win is a bonus.

We had some positives coming out of this game though, some impressive tackle counts, four runs from Mal made 3 tries...there is very little we can do about that! Our debutantes Ryan and Aaron did an outstanding job and didn't stand out as 'new' - they looked like part of the team straight away and both got on the stats sheet for the right reasons. Daniel Nanyn pulled the line in encouraging urgency from his teammates and our wings were also solid with Aron Fleming eating up anyone that came his way!

Onward and Upward!

AWARDS

M.O.M: Malachi Price & Aron Fleming

Top Tackler: Malick Niang

Parent's Player: Malachi Prices

Opponent's Player: Elton Paplekaj

TRIES

Malachi Price x 3

Austin Daniel x 1

CONVERSIONS

Keegan Mobey

Austin Daniel

Elton Paplekaj

Dylan Gregory

Under 8’s - Golds

Crossfields 20-24 Wigan St Judes Golds

Croffields got things underway and scored from the first run of the game. Typical Golds style the boys were still waking up. Another try from Crossfield. By set three St Judes had woken up & Tadgh Casey got things underway with a great tackle. A try for St Judes from the mighty Mason Chisnall.

Despite St Judes defensive efforts & another amazing tackle from Tadgh Casey, Crossfields proceeded to score. However in response Big Jack Elwick went over to score a great try.

Second quarter got underway with a great long pass from Archie Unsworth to Mason Chisnall. A superb tackle from Jack Hill lead to the turnover. A great run and offload from Mason Chisnall saw Jack Hill just shy of the try line. Jack Myers went over for a brilliant try.

Good defensive work from all the Golds boys. Harrison Oakes did two awesome back to back tackles.

Third quarter saw more tough defence from Golds and a strong run from Tadgh Casey, Jack Myers received the ball and did a great dummy before getting it out  to Oscar who scored a top try.

Tadgh Casey & Harrison Oakes were tackling duo straight from the off working their socks off and also outstanding tackle by Jack Elwick & Isac. Deacon received the ball and ran like lightning to score from Oscar who did three outstanding handoffs before passing out to his team mate. Another outstanding tackle from Jack Elwick against some great play from Crossfields but stopped in their tracks by the Golds. Harrison Oakes made some crucial yards in a strong run and Deacon managing to burst through saw him go in for his second try of the game.

Jack Hill got the fourth quarter underway with an awesome run from Aston Bailey.

Crossfields broke with the ball chased by Golds and Archie Unsworth dove for the tackle as the player went over the line.

Again another try from Crossfields saw the score 6-5 to the Golds.

Judes kept up the defensive efforts to hold on for the win with an outstanding tackle from Jack Myers along the way. The boys managed to keep Crossfields out and bag the win.