1st Team

After 80 minutes of entertaining rugby you couldn't separate these two NCL Div 2 teams at the Meadow on Saturday as it finished 30 all. It was St Jude's who exploded into action on 4 mins with a great try when from a 40/20 by Rob Collier which set up field position for Nathan Bevan, Rob Collier, Rob Fenney , Gavin Rodden and Adam Lavin who found debutant winger Chris Pimblett who darted in at the corner to score Rob Collier kicked cracker form the touch line 6-0 to the Jude's.But the lively Crosfields were not having any of it and they soon got on the score sheet with their expansive brand of rugby which at times had Judes working hard on Defence and in a 15 minute spell racked up 14 points to take a 14-6 lead midway through 1st Half. Nathan Bevan was always looking to get some joy around the ruck area and on 32 mins he managed to dart over for a try from dummy half after great work from Conal Bevan and Paul Pendlebury, Rob Collier goaled. Man of the Match Nathan Jones was once again  heavily involved in shipping the ball up on many occasions and as always was  dangerous with ball in hand. But right on the stroke of halftime the lively Visitors struck again to make Jude's task even harder and Crosfields went in with a 20-12 lead. Jude's had to score first in second half to stand any chance in the game and boy what a try it was when after yet another Crosfields attack they put In a grubber kick into Jude's in goal area were the ever alert winger Baz Rothwell cleaned up the ball and went on a run across his own line evading would be tacklers looking for the gap which suddenly appeared for him to shoot through and go on a scorching run from his own posts to the oppositions for a very important try which kept Judes in with a shout Rob Collier obliged with the two 18-20  to the visitors. Crosfields once again hit back with a score to pull clear again 18-26. On 64 mins second rower Gavin Rodden exploded onto the scene when he started the attack on the left only for him to put in a kick which bounced kindly for him to score a try Collier added the two 24-26. With only 5 mins left Jude's thought they had sealed the win after Adam Lavin's neat kick through for winger David Fagan to score wide out Rob Collier slotted over the two points from the touch line 30-26 to the Jude's. But alas Crosfields managed to score , thankfully wide out to level the scores at 30 all and the kick just sailed wide. A points a point as they say and if you can play well below your best and still not lose against a well above average team we will gladly accept the point which keeps Judes right up there in the mix especially after some interesting results.

Man of the Match  Nathan Jones Best Attacking Full Back in the League.

Under 18’s

The under 18’s reached the BARLA National Cup Final after beating West Hull by 31-18 at a sunny parsons meadow.  Judes now take on local rivals Thatto Heath on Saturday 15th July 2017 at Post Office Road Featherstone.

Under 11’s

Wigan St Judes 16-10  Waterhead Warriors

Waterhead made the long trip to Wigan but the nice weather made it a bit easier.

With the Judes boys on a barren run they needed a good game to help them get back on track.

The first half was a game of strength with both defences not giving an inch, with Waterhead having 3 sets of six on the Judes line but we didn't give way and with 10 minutes gone the score was still 0-0. The Judes forwards really worked hard Freddie, Cayden, Harry, Cody and stand in 2nd row Callum Davies all working hard. So it took a bit of smart play from Lewis Banks managing to get the ball out to Kian Stanton who crossed for his first try. With the backs also doing their bests taking us up the pitch Judes looked strong, a great place kick from Lewis Banks saw Sam Young pick up the ball with a great timed pass to Kian Stanton he was over for his second and at the break Judes were ahead 10 - 0.

The second half saw Waterhead bringing the game to Judes team and a tiring pack.  The backs James, Rohan and Alex stepping in to breach. With the introduction of Deecan and Callum Siddley  to the line boys stood up to Waterhead constant attacks of the line, the boys dug deep and mounted attacks of their own. What can I say about a confused Kian Stanton popping up on the left wing instead of the right to collect the ball, return to his wing and the cross the line for his hat trick! The boys played really well and moved the ball around which was good to see. Waterhead did eventually break the Judes tired defence going over from close range and then a last one from out on the wing. At the whistle Judes had it at 16 - 10.

Today saw two well matched teams play the at their best.

Well Done boys!

Awards this week are :-

Man of the Match - Kian Stanton

Parents Player - Lewis Banks

Coaches Award - Sam Young

Effort and Achievement -  Harry Stokes

Tackle of the Match - Rohan Green

Under 11’s - Golds

Wigan St Judes U11s Golds 30-0 Chorley Panthers

A stand out performance down at The Meadow.

The Golds met The Panthers today for the second time this season and after a free week last week they were ready and raring to go!

This was shown from the off as The Panthers kicked off the game with a long kick up field, Elton Paplekaj collected it and returned it straight back, he ran up the wing, the length of the field, and came inside to score under the sticks. Our fastest try to date...kickoff and scored within 20 seconds! Superb Elton! Converted by Keegan Mobey 6-0

The Gold's defence was a brick wall today and they soon were back on the attack once more after pushing the opposition to touch. Half back, Keegan Mobey, shot down the blind side of the scrum and almost stretched to the whitewash, just short, he jumped up and the quick play gifted Elton Paplekaj his second from scoot. Converted by Austin Daniel 12-0

The Panthers made fantastic drives from the kick off and after two silly penalties, Judes found themselves defending two sets of 6 on their own line! After an enormous defensive effort from The Golds pack, refusing to concede, they finally had the ball back in hand. Austin Daniel scooted and, on the very first run, went all the way, weaving in and out the Panthers line and tying them all in knots! A wonderful try! The safe foot of Dylan Gregory sailing the ball over with ease 18-0

More perfect defence saw the turnover once more and it was time for the big guy to test the Chorley line, with a devastating run, Malachi Price went the length of the pitch to score, unchallenged, under the sticks. Elton adding the two 24-0

Half Time: 24-0

Sam Cunliffe was having an absolute stormer out there today but after a knee to the head we asked (forced) him to sit out for the second half. He was not impressed at all but not worth the risk! A superb half from him with a great tackle count!

The second half started with a bit of scrappy play and not the organised attack we have become used to, however, after readjusting, the ball ended up in forward Jake Hare's hands who ran out toward the wing, before straightening up and scoring in the corner. Converted by Aaron Fleming 30-0

The Panthers looked set to score after driving the ball up field once more from the restart, with their

final kick a lovely grubber that stood up in in goal, quick thinking from Keegan Mobey saw us out of trouble and Elton Paplekaj flew down the field scoring another full lengther in style! Converted easily by Malaki 'Paddy' Cullen 36-0

The Judes finished the game with 2 more tries from our talented forwards, a full length from The Beast himself, Mal Price, Freddie Winnard collecting the two points and finally a perfectly placed cross field kick from Keegan Mobey, collected from the air by Jake Hare and grounded perfectly. The kick hitting the bar and falling the wrong side!  

Final Score: 46-0 to The Golds.

We couldn't have asked for any more today, the kids were amazing going forward and worked hard with perfect line speed and discipline and impeccable defensive display, not conceding a single try. New lad, Tyler Foster, showed what an asset he will  be for The Golds fitting in perfectly with the pack.  They all played out of their skins and deserved all the praise they received from onlookers after the game. Well done boys, we couldn't be prouder!

AWARDS

M.O.M: Malachi Price & Elton Paplekaj (Split)

Top Tackler: Malachi Price

Opposition M.O.M: Austin Daniel

Parent's Player: Elton Paplekaj

TRIES

Malachi Price x2

Elton Paplekaj x 3

Jake Hare x 2

Austin Daniel x 1

KICKS

Malacki 'Paddy' Cullen

Elton Paplekaj

Austin Daniel

Keegan Mobey

Freddie Winnard

Aaron Fleming

Dylan Gregory

Under 9’s - Golds

Judes 12-8 Oldham St. Anne's

Another sunny morning down at St. judes saw us playing one of the hardest teams this season.

Judes were slow to start, with strong runs from the opposition and poor tackling the first quarter finished 3-3.

The second quarter was more evenly matched. With strong runs judes took the lead 5-3. Oldham never gave up and by the end of the quarter the score was 5-5.

The third quarter judes got into their stride. Strong running from Zach, Ben, shay, Olly and Finley saw judes getting back to back tries. Rian was determined to score on his debut for the team, strong running saw him get over the line. Oldham had no answer for judes and the quarter finished 9-6.

Oldham started the fourth quarter strong. Running in 2 quick tries they started to come back. Strong tackling from the judes captain Alex helped by Mikey, Niamh, Brayden, mason and Jayden  stopped Oldham in their stride. A hat trick from Zach helped judes to pull away and the game finished 12-8 to judes.

Tries.

Zach 3

Alex 1

Brayden 2

Rian 1

Olly 1

Mikey 1

Ben 2

Findlay 1

MOM

Rian

Under 8’s - Golds

Culcheth 4-16 Judes golds

St Judes golds u8s went across to culcheth to play in the Adam Carney cooper festival every team stood together from cubs age to u11s and with all the players parents and supporters stood together to do a minutes applause to start the festival off by his family which really set the tone of the day's rugby

Judes started off playing against portico panthers in the first game with the score ending 20-12 to Judes

Judes had short break we then played Ashton bears with the game  ending again a 20-12 Score to Judes with some brilliant rugby played from both sides.

Then onto our Sunday fixture game against culcheth was to be played with Judes rounding the day off with some brilliant passing and defensive work with the score ending 16-4 to Judes

What a fantastic day it's been for everyone involved today and hopefully we get an invite next year to pay our respects to Adam carney cooper

We did a collection from our team and donated nearly £100 to the adam carney cooper fund and said that it was from all at Wigan st Judes rugby club