1st Team

Wigan St Judes first team made it back to back wins against a very big Saddleworth side with a 30-27 victory at Saddleworth. Jude's defence had to be on top form as Saddleworth gave them a stern test to the end. Saddleworth struck first on 3mins after a judes penalty was punished. Nathan Bevan hit back with a great try when he just kept going avoiding would be tacklers to score by the posts, John Darbyshire goaled. Judes took the lead on 24 mins when a good passing move down the left involving Gavin Rodden and Joey Brady who found the lively hooker Nathan Bevan who finished it off under the posts, Darbyshire obliged with the two points. Saddleworths pack was always going to keep them in the game , and on 35 mins all hell broke loose when a massive brawl erupted but Judes forwards Tom Owen, Oly Oladele, Gavin Rodden, Keiron Gaskell,Dave Fagan, Josh Rogerson and Michael Gibson gave it back in Bucket fulls. Paul Pendlebury, John Darbyshire and Dean Hunt worked tirelessly to create chances and right on the stroke of half time Hunt and Rodden put Bevan away for his Hat tick,Darbyshire goaled to make the half time score 20-6 to the Jude's. The opening of the second half had much to admire with Judes terrier like defence against a big Saddleworths pack bashing away up the middle. Keiron Gaskell, Nathan Bevan, Gavin Rodden, Tom Owen, Josh Rogerson and Paul Pendlebury working hard to halt them. A harsh sending off on 50 mins saw Hardworking Prop Oly Oladele leave the the field of play this led to a frantic 10 min spell were Saddleworth got  a roll on and scored 18 unanswered points and take the lead. In immediate response Gavin Rodden was called upon when broke free and put Joey Brady away to score a cracking try, Darbyshire goaled to put Judes back in front. Saddleworth took the lead again when they slotted over a penalty from the half way line and it looked like they had snatched a win. A wonderful piece of skill and the type of play which can prove the difference in games when Man of the Match Gavin Roddens quick thinking from the restart as he flicked the ball back and Judes had the field position they desperately needed and with time fast running  out Judes attack was so vital ,Nathan Bevan to Dean Hunt who hit Paul Pendlebury who found Winger Nathan Jones wide out who dove in at the corner to score the match winner,Darbyshire missed the touch line conversion but it didn't matter as the Ref blew for full time and Judes celebrated this great win.

Man of the Match Gavin Rodden 2nd Nathan Bevan 3rd Nathan Jones.

Completion Rate  1st Half  18 sets - completed 9 -  50%

                                2nd Half 16 sets - Completed 11  -  69%

Penalty count 9 against, 9 for.

A Team

Wigan St Judes A lost their first game in the North West Counties League since July 2016 bringing a tremendous record to a close against a talented and energetic Rochdale Mayfield A side.

It looked for the first 10 minutes as if this magnificent Judes team, brimming with capability, would record yet another victory with both Prop Forward Barry Gregson and Centre Scott Robinson piercing the line with powerful surging runs only to see the offloaded  ball spilled on both occasions  with the line begging.

Only a chance offload and a 50 metre scoot try from another Judes handling error out wide separated the teams at half time, although Judes were struggling to control the speed of the ruck from the visitors. Half time 12-0

The second half was largely the same, the pace relentless, fatigue setting in and despite heroics from Man of the Match Danny Clayton and magnificent full back Darrion Ball the Judes side could not recover and it was destined to be a loss. The Rochdale side posting further tries from strong running forwards and another from a blind side move at the scrum.

Final score 0-33

This week the Judes A team aim to put things right in training and get back to winning ways away at Widnes Tigers on Saturday 1st April.

Thanks lads.... the winning run is one you should be very proud of, a real team of champions.

Masters

Wigan St Judes masters played at the Lancashire festival which was held at Hindley ARLFC on a glorious day in the sun.  Judes played three game 1st against Leigh east 2nd against Leigh Miners there last was against Leyland warriors.  

Best for Judes Anthony Ridyard, Chris Hilton, Martin Fisher and Ian Worthington.

Under 18’s

Judes best local rivals wigan St Patricks by 38-10 in a stop start game. Good win with fine performances from mom Leon Harbor mom Aaron O’Donell Connor Morris and Gary McMahon

Tries from Aaron O’Donell 2, Lewis Melling, Robbie Horton 2 Dec Hidden Leon Harbor goals Gary McMahon 5

Under 16’s

St Judes 10-6 Thatto Heath

St Judes entertained Thatto Heath in their NWC Premier Division clash at Parsons meadow, and ran out very worthy 10-6 winners in a very entertaining game.

A superb team spirit and willingness to work for each other proved the difference and ultimately led to success for the home side, against a big & well organised Thatto Heath team.

Try scorers for St Judes were Connor Ramsdale & Lewis Belshaw with Ramsdale adding a goal.

Best for St Judes in a superb all round team performance were Man of the match Jack Barnes, Connor Ramsdale, Lewis Belshaw. & Yazan Kahlil.

Under 13’s

Judes  30-4 Ince Rose Bridge    

Judes could have been excused if they came out a bit rusty today, with the lack of game time and training due to unusable pitches, but true to form they came out the blocks fighting with a try fest of a game for Alfie Whittle.

After an initial attacking threat from Bridge, Judes were setting up down field to get close to the line for Harvey Makin to go crashing over and score what has become one of his signature tries.  With the conversion hitting the cross-bar, Judes went 4-0 up.  Then up step Alfie Whittle who completed his hatrick in the first half!  First one from good hands and a good assist from Ryan for Alfie to steam over in the corner.  After a superb run from Reece who just ran over players like they weren’t there, then had a second run in the set and put a brilliant off-load in to Alfie who scored his second in the corner.  His hatrick was completed when he backed himself, broke the line and just sped off leaving the Bridge player in his wake and scored directly under sticks.  Conversions taken superbly by Callum Silcock, one taken right off the touch-line.  Bridge just couldn’t get in Judes half, but after being awarded back to back penalties were given the space they needed to attack our left edge and score.  Bridge continue to attack down our wing, but thankfully we hold out to finish the half 20-4.

Bridge restart the second half and after a penalty for holding and an attempted interception Judes are awarded the scrum and from the base the ball is played to Alfie Whittle, who should have been tackled, but broke what must have been half a dozen attempts to keep going and score his forth try under sticks.  Converted by James Richardson.  After the restart that was deemed knocked on, it went a bit down-hill for Judes with penalty after penalty, which culminated in a team warning and a player in the sin bin! Even though we were down to 12 men for a period, we never gave up and were defensively brilliant with an awesome try saving tackle by Ryan when Bridge broke down the wing.  There was no way Judes were conceding any more points in this game.  Our stand out guy Reece was allowed back on the field and OMG didn’t he make Bridge pay by just running over players and even getting the perfect off-load away to Alfie Whittle to score his gob-smacking fifth try!!  Judes were relentless in attack and never took their foot off the gas, with a great chip over from Callum Silcock who followed up and trapped Bridge in-goal for a drop-out.  Unfortunately, Bridge defence held firm and after trading a couple of sets the final whistle went with an emphatic win to Judes 30-4.

Local derbies are always a bruising encounter and one that every team wants to come out on top, today Judes were very dominant and had their best performance of the season so far.  Even when they were down to 12 men and struggling with penalties, it shows the spirit of the lads defending what must have been 6 sets at their line.   Outstanding performance from the whole squad, a special gift for their mums today, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the rugby mums and well done lads!

Today awards go to:

Outstanding Effort: Ryan Wood, training and listening well, putting in a great performance producing the tackle of the game and great try assists.

Outstanding Effort: Alfie Whittle, what can you say, it’s very special when you’re scoring 5 quality tries in a local derby.  Outstanding Alfie, when congratulating him he still wasn’t happy as he wanted a double hatrick!!!

Man of the Match: Reece Stanton, the coach summed it up perfectly “come on run over a few players, get sent off, then come on again run over a few more, that gets you the Man of the Match”.  This lad is a top top player and gives his all in every match.

Under 8’s - Golds

Chester 4-13 St Jude's Golds

Captain for the Day Kyle Wakelin.

A bright & sunny day in Chester for our Mother's Day game against Chester Gladiators.

First quarter of the game saw Wigan St Jude's Golds score three unanswered tries. First over the line after bursting through two attempted tackles was Captain for the day Captain Kyle. A great run for Jack Hill however after some slight confusion about the try line then Harrison Oakes got the ball and went in for Jude's 2nd try in the corner.  Gabe Mills ran an amazing full length of the pitch to score a great try.

Second Quarter of the game saw St Jude's Gold's newest player make his Debut, Isaac making the first run & some good yards.

A brilliant offload from Tadgh Casey to Little Chiz resulted in try number one for little Chiz, giving St Jude's Golds a 4 point lead.

Chester Gladiators managed to score a try.

Cody Smith produced a good run but was held up just shy of the line. After a brilliant pass from Mason Chisnall, Archie Unsworth came up with his first try of the game, leaving the score 4-1.

Despite some brilliant tackles & an outstanding tackle from Tadgh Casey, Chester managed to go over for their second.

Passes from Aston Bailey to Kyle Wakelin then onto Mason Chisnall to bulldozer through Chester to score an awesome try.

Third Quarter Chester went over. Then saw a brilliant run from Jack Myers resulting in a great try.

Jack Elwick & Jack Hill combined, producing some outstanding tackles.

A cracking run from Jack Elwick making some good yards then managing a great offload to Aston Bailey saw Aston go in for a great try.

Harrison Oakes broke the line but was stopped just short of the line by some tough Chester defence. Jack Elwick on the ball managed to come up with another brilliant offload into the hands of Little Chiz allowing him to come up with his third try of the game.

Chester were producing some great defence. An awesome tackle from Harrison Oakes saw the ball be knocked loose from Chester Gladiators.

Final quarter, 1st run was a brill run from Isaac, passing out to Kyle who got the ball out to Archie allowing him to go over for his second try.

Some amazing tackles going in from Tadgh, Aston & Cody consistently.

Archie went in for his third try of the game, handing off players & going through gaps in the Chester players.

Chester on the attack managed to break the St Jude's line until an awesome try stopping tackle from Tadgh who ran the width of the pitch forcing Chester back however Chester were awarded the try. Quick to respond Tadgh gets the ball and answers back with a cracking try.

Final try from Mason Chisnall handing off three Chester players to get his fourth try of the game.

Man of the Match: Tadgh Casey

Most Improved: Aston Bailey

Parents Man of the Match: Archie Unsworth.