Under 13’s

Ince Rose Bridge  16-16 Judes

Not the end to a sparkling season we wanted, but you can’t take anything away from these lads who’ve had a sterling season becoming Lancashire Cup Winners and Premier Division Champions.  I suppose they can be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas at the end of the season, as they have trained and worked so hard this year.

Today’s game was tough in the conditions with storm Brian impacting on our game!  I feel Bridge handled the conditions slightly better than we did and they were the first to strike within minutes as the kick off ran dead and they got the ball back to immediately pressure our line and score a converted try.  Bridge got caught offside a couple of times and it gave Judes the territory they needed for Callum Silcock to take on the line and using great footwork to break through, with the fullback still to beat Callum threw a wicked side step and just ran around the fullback to score and convert his own try.  Judes gave away too many penalties on the last and invited Bridge to their line, showing great hands down the right flank to score again in the corner.  Judes did look to equalise doing all the hard-work up the middle, unluckily, the final pass that would have culminated in 4 points went to ground.  Bridge went to the break in the lead 10-6.

Judes came out strong in defence, but again put themselves under pressure by knocking the ball on at the final kick.  Our defence held strong and Judes counter attacked and showed great hands down the line with the ball going out wide to Reagan who timed his run perfectly to go over and score, only for the ref to pull it back for a forward pass, am sure the wind could have played its part in that!!  Judes really contained Bridge in the next set and got the ball back in good territory.  Judes build to the line and good hands again, this time to the left to Alfie who had come inside and did a well-timed off-load to Kian Barry who used his body to twist and get the ball down in the corner, bringing the scores level.  Bridge knock on themselves at the kick off and Reece as always, was on hand to hack the ball and chase it to the line, unfortunately, this time the ball bobbled as he was trying to ground it.  Thankfully we are awarded the scrum for the first knock-on and Lewis darted for the line, managed to turn in the tackle and get the ball away to Richard Nsemba, who used his height and strength and barge his way over and score.  Conversion by Callum Silcock, put us in the lead for the first time in the game 10-16.  Bridge’s restart finds it way over the side line giving them the scrum, but Judes worked really hard in defence to stop them scoring, but again give a penalty on the last to put themselves under unnecessary pressure.  Defence held firm for 5 tackles, but a perfectly placed high bomb was taken well by the Bridge winger who caught it cleanly and plonked down in the corner.  A tough conversion was taken well by the Bridge kicker and brought the scores level at 16 all.  This game was anyone’s now for the taking, but little decisions really didn’t go are way today.  We were awarded a scrum and the ball went in ricocheted off our players foot, but we were penalised for a knock on and thrust back into defence.  Bridge build and get themselves in the perfect position for a drop goal, thankfully it was way too low and went under the bar.  Judes have their final set to see if they could seal the game, they built well until they got in a decent position for their attempt at a drop goal, but curiously deemed to have knocked on at the play of the ball on the final whistle, ending the game with a 16 all draw.

A tough game to end our season, we would of liked to finish with a win, but it wasn’t to be.  A few decisions didn’t go our way today, we gave away a few too many penalties, especially on the last tackle.  We did get over the line a few more times than Bridge, but just couldn’t convert to points.  Take nothing away from Bridge who took their chances well and were hungry to win this game.  Well done lads on a superb season, the parents and coaches could not of asked any more from you this year and have been well deserving of your achievements……Congratulations!  

Massive thanks to our coaches who are the best in the league and have worked hard to create this Champion Team.

Today’s Awards go to:

Outstanding Effort: Callum Silcock, has really come in to his own this season, has superb attacking ability, which was on show today.  Scored a brilliant individual solo try to.
Outstanding Effort: Kalan Devine, our captain fantastic, what an exceptional lad to have as our captain and today as he has all year has lead the team from the front.
Man of the Match: Richard Nsemba, excellent at using his height, strength and long stride in attack and was involved in all our attacking sets today.  Got himself on the score sheet too and was unlucky to not have a second.

Under 8’s - Golds

St Jude’s gold 8 - 12 Leigh east bears
It was an unexpectedly hard game today for the boys playing practicing at under 9s rules.
Cold, windy and muddy down at Jude’s the boys played an exciting game of rugby which kept the parents on their toes! The boys showed some strong defensive skill and all pulled together.. well done for not getting drawn into the name calling and hitting out. Today was a learning curve and showed us  the areas we can improve on for next season. Onwards and upwards golds!!
Try scorers
Mason Chisnall 1
Jack Elwick 1

Awards
Opposition mom Jack Myers