WIGAN ST JUDES ARLFC - MATCH REPORT - ROUND UP

1^st Team

A 8 minute spell late in the game sealed this hard fought home win for Hunslet club Parkside as they managed to maintain their unbeaten run just beating the Jude's by 29-22, and boy o boy they knew they’d  been in a game. A bright opening from Hunslet saw them score on their first attack which was all so converted on 2 minutes. But Jude's were looking lively as they enjoyed quality possession and territory with Forwards Tom Owen, Olumide Oladele, Brett Taberner and Nathan Bevan stretching the Hunslet defence for Dean Hunt to work his magic to put Scott Robinson through a gap to score by the posts Barry Rothwell goaled. This period of possession proved crucial for Jude's and on their next attack Brett Taberner burst through the line to go on a 40m surge to score a cracking try Barry Rothwell added the two Jude's were good value for their 6 point lead as Hunslet struggled to cope with Jude's expansive rugby and speed orchestrated by Bevan, Hunt, Pendlebury and Rodden.  Hunslet desperately needed to find a cohesive response and a break by their big prop carried on by their standoff had the Jude's defence at panic stations the ball quickly worked to right as they scored wide out. Jude's were being forced on the back foot but outstanding scrambling defence from Paul Pendlebury, Darrion Ball, Nathan Bevan, Brett Taberner, Connor Parkinson and Nathan Jones held out until the half time whistle and go in with scores all even at 12-12. Hunslet started the second half as they finished the first and it took just 3 minutes for Hunslet to take the lead with a penalty kick, this was quickly followed by a try and conversion. But Jude's were having none of that and a superb try by Paul Pendlebury when from a scum on his own 25m line he went on a arcing run to the line leaving defenders in his wake to score, Rothwell goaled.  This was quickly followed by Loose Forward Gavin Rodden who's try was very similar to Pauls when he burst through the line to go on a 50m run to the line and give Jude's the lead. With time running out Hunslet were awarded a penalty which they gladly accepted, scores level. Another Hunslet attack was held up just short with top defence again from Dave Walls, Connor Parkinson, Nathan Bevan, Nathan Moore, Brett Taberner and David Fagan but they still managed to come away with a point,

And with 5mins left they somehow managed to score a try which was converted to give the home side a 29-22 advantage. But Jude's still didn't accept defeat and another great attack from Bevan, Hunt, Pendlebury and Rodden just failed when Full Back Darrion Ball was alleged to have done a double movement to score, (rubbish) this was a cruel decision and Hunslet held on to a hard fought victory.

Mom   1st  Nathan Bevan…back to his best.

             2nd Brett Taberner…Tackle Machine

             3rd Paul Pendlebury ..The Bionic man

Completion rate. First Half 18 sets  15 completed  83%

                                Second half  17 sets 10 completed 58%

Top Tackler  1^st   Brett Taberner 36

                       2nd Nathan Bevan 35

                       3rd Paul Pendlebury 28

Penalty count 10 against  12 for

A Team

Wigan St Jude's A played host to 3rd place Burtonwood Bridge in NWCML Div 3.

With several players missing a somewhat changed St Jude's team sporting two under 18's players extended their unbeaten league run to nine games moving them 6 points clear in the Division 3 league table. It took only four minutes of the game to open the scoring, following great approach work from the forwards, neat hands across the back line found Centre Danny Holmes who calmly beat the defenders for the first of his hat trick of tries. Within 4 minutes Holmes had found the try line again, an excellent pass from Rob Collier on the right centre exposed the Burtonwood outside backs and the classy centre rounded the opposition for another well taken four pointer. It wasn't all one way traffic and a reverse pass from the Burtonwood half back found the second row who forced his way over for a converted try on 15 minutes to make the score line 12-6. It wouldn't before Jude's were on the score sheet once more, full back Dec Parkinson, who troubled the visitors all day with probing runs and neat footwork chimed into the line and produced a peach of a pass to winger Phil Cox who raced 30 metres to dive over in the corner.

Half Time score line of 16-6.

The second half saw a rampant Jude's team pull away with 6 further tries, the pack lead tremendously by second row forward Alex Pilling made light work of the Burtonwood forwards. Powerful drives by Connor, Astle, Samuels, Coleman and Fenney set up tremendous field positions enabling Captain Danny Clayton to find his way over for a superbly taken try. Ramon Morley Samuels, fresh from his lucozade sport on the way down to the game proved too big and strong when receiving a short pass to go over for a try in the left centre. The Jude's back line had shown up well all the game and it was a neat interchange and perfectly weighted pass from scrum half Simon Meehan that Dante Morley Samuels hit at pace to pierce the defence the sixth try of the match. Dec Parkinson was next on the score sheet, supporting an attack under the posts and taking an offload from Dante M Samuels to score close to the uprights. Yet more great backline movement with the ball saw winger Darren Greenall squeeze over in the right corner for a well taken try. The final score of the game fittingly came from vice-captain centre Danny Holmes who stepped of his right foot and inside the opposition centre to stroll over for the ninth and final try. Standoff Rob Collier added his seventh conversion of the game to maintain his > 80% success ratio on goal kicks. Final score 50-6.

Next week St Jude's A face Division 2 opposition in the NW Counties Cup Quarter final at Pilkington's. Kick Off 14:30 pm

Tries: Holmes (3), Cox (1), Clayton (1), R M Samuels (1), D M Samuels (1), Parkinson (1), and Greenall (1).

Conversions: Collier (7)

Man Of The Match

1. Alex Pilling - A magnificent 80 minute all round performance

2. Danny Holmes - Hat trick hero

3. Dec Parkinson - Superb attacking display

Under 16’s

Wigan St Judes v Waterhead

1st Half

Waterhead try converted 0-6

Billy Harris try not converted 4-6

Waterhead try not converted 4-10

2nd Half

Billy Harris try not converted 8-10

Adam Ford try converted 14-10

Waterhead drop goal 14-11

Waterhead try converted 14-17

Waterhead try converted 14-23

Waterhead win.

Under 14’s – Midweek

Wigan St. Judes 54-0 Crosfields

Tries: Adam Lavin (1), Jacob Dugdale (1), Aaron Pimblett (1), Lewis Baxter (2), Adam Hunter (1), Peter Moore (3)

Conversion: Peter Moore (9)

Half time 24-0

Under 14’s

Shevington 21-21 Wigan St.Judes

Tries: Josh Reid (2), Jacob Dugdale (1), Cameron Rielly (1)

Conversion: Peter Moore (2)

Drop goal: Lewis Baxter (1)

Half Time: 16-14

Under 13’s

Lancashire Cup prelim

Wigan St Judes 4-74 Folly Lane

Judes were back at Parsons Meadow for the first time in quite a while and it was a cup fixture against a Folly Lane team who were unknown to us after merging with Langworthy.  The boys were well up for it especially with Cameron Ashcroft making his debut. The game started very sloppy by letting the kick off bounce out. From then on it felt like a battle. Judes couldn't contain Folly Lane or get the ball back, they finished the half 0-46.  The second half started more positive and Judes managed to force errors to get the ball back, but struggled to make metres.  They defended really well for 15 minutes in the second half, including a huge hit from Dylan Ryan showing every ounce of passion he had for the badge.  Judes went over from a penalty with Dylan Keller to get off the zero.  Then Folly Lane stepped it up again and finished the game off. Everyone is really proud that our under 13's are continuing to put the effort in. The good times will return boys!

Tries Dylan Keller 1

Awards

Captains Award Dylan Ryan had another solid game and came up with the best hit of the game.  You've had a great 2 weeks Dylan, keep it up.

Man of the Match  Dylan Keller  another solid game as last line of defence, well done.

Under 12’s

Waterhead Warriors  0-34 Judes

An early start and cold morning didn’t deter the lads in the slightest, as Judes came out strong from the outset.  Waterhead put in a deep kick to Alfie Whittle who took the ball on the bounce, as soon as he touched the ball the try was never in doubt, he pinned his ears back and produced a full lengthier without a hand laid on him.  Converted by James Richardson, Judes were underway on the score-board.  Both teams showed strong defence in the next period, but struggled a little in execution with a few spilled balls and after a call for a forward pass Judes were awarded a scrum.  The ball was offloaded to Ryan Wood from the base, which took the defence on down the wing and scored a superb try in the corner.  Ryan was soon racking up a second great solo effort, when he took the ball up field, weaving his way through the defence, breath holding stuff as he just kept going and going, dodging one defender after another to finish under the sticks.  James Richardson successfully converting, brought the first half to an end 16-0 to Judes.

Opening the second half strongly, Judes defence forces the error which puts them straight on the attack.  Strong running and a massive dummy from our big guy Reece Stanton, saw the gap open up and shot straight through to score, finished with a good conversion from James Richardson.  A big shot from Kalan dislodged the ball and turned over good possession again to Judes.  Quick hands and a skilful lay-off to Eliot Peposhi  saw him taking on the defence, showing  good strength to go over the whitewash.  Judes pulled for a dubious forward pass, put Waterhead back attacking our line, but our defence coped well as it had all game.  Judes showed impressive passing today with the ball really thrown about and after winning another scrum the ball is played to Regan Hunter who ran on the arch to crash over the whitewash.  He too was soon recording his second, as Judes attacked the line with a couple of strong darts, before the ball was spread wide to Regan who sneaked in at the corner.  Judes were in Waterhead faces the entire match and kept that intensity going until the final whistle, with Judes taking the spoils 34 points to nil.

What a fantastic display of rugby league from the boys today.  Much improved in attack and played with some real flair and freedom.  The lads were really comfortable with ball in hand even in cold, damp conditions.  Added to their usual dependable defence, an excellent complete performance and have to be commended for keeping a strong team such as Waterhead scoreless.  Well done lads and keep up the hard work!

 Today’s Awards go to:

Outstanding Efforts:       Bradley Hart, his best game so far for Judes and showed some excellent defence.   Ryan Wood turned back the clock today and really played with his free spirit.

Assist Award:     Reece Stanton, a colossus of a player, doesn’t play conventionally, but it just works.  Great at offloading the ball, provided a 4 pointer and scored himself one too.

Top Tackler:        Robbie Edington, our rugby union convert who put in a massive stint and really stood out in defence.

Man of the Match:          Callum Silcock, what a flawless performance, really dictated the game and tackled like a veteran.  Getting stronger and stronger every week.

Under 11’s

St Jude's played host to local rivals St Cuthbert’s with a win already under their belts from the away tie Jude's wanted the double and local bragging right to continue,  after a few weeks of bad luck in results and change in personnel the lads wanted a win they desperately deserved.

Both sides started very well strong running and good defence the scores where 0-0 after 10 minutes but Jude's got the opening try with some nifty foot work from Billy Wizz Jack Holland converted by Ratchford, Ratchford was buzzing around the ruck to grab the first of his two converted tries just before half time Jude's wanted blood and the big fella Ben Haigh found himself in space with the try line getting closer going in for his first try Ratchford converted to leave the score 18-0 at the break.

Second half Cuthberts came out all guns blazing with their big fellas carrying well but with Ben Haigh in no mood to let this one slip forced his way over Callum Palmer slotting the extras, Cuthbert’s seemed to either up the tempo or Jude's took there for of the accelerator they nipped in for a couple of nice tries of their own but with Callum and Tom Ratchford both in great form taking no prisoners Palmer got in on the action Ratchford converting, with the big forwards doing their job Ratchford spotted a tired lazy Cuthbert’s defence and strolled over like he was walking down Southport Prom on a May bank holiday he coolly slotted the extras the party was in full flow the bragging rights where at Jude's to stay when up popped Hayden Park to show a clean pair of heels to outpace the cover defence Palmer ending the game with a conversion.

Top Tackler Jack Gallager

(tackled everything above grass and that grass was long)

MoM Tom Ratchford

(Outstanding game directed the team around the park)

Special Mention

The Forwards where fantastic laying the platform for the backs.

Under 10’s

Wigan St Judes 22-30 Wigan St Cuthbert’s

Today was the reverse of the first fixture of the under 10's season against local rivals St Cuthbert’s.

The first half saw us surprisingly open up the scoring with Kian Stanton going over (converted by Deecan Snape) only for us to let Cuthbert’s straight back into the game.   A great show of skill from Lewis Banks who switched play back to the blind side for Deecan Snape to catch Cuthbert’s out in the corner and go over the line. Again Cuthbert’s got back into the game and into the lead. A knock on the line denied us going into the half time break in front.  Judes suffered another blow having to withdraw both Sam Young and Scott Finney from the game with injuries, both of whom were playing some good rugby.   At the break it was the visitors in the lead 10-12.

The second half saw us playing catch up with Cuthbert’s opening up the scoring.  A try from Josh Mawdsley brought us back close (converted by Callum Davies). Cuthbert’s then restored their lead. Rohan Green ripped through the middle of the Cuthbert’s defence to score (converted by Declan Boyd).   But it was Cuthbert’s who had the last say of the game to take the final score to 22-30 to the visitors.

There is a lot that can be taken out of this game, with the boys showing great effort to come back from a thumping last week to running Cuthbert’s close.  The most important area that we need to work on though is tackling, quite a few have forgotten that if we tackle around the leg area that they will fall - too much shirt grabbing going on today from lots of players.  We will also need to practice goal kicking as there may come a time when successful conversions win us games.

Well done boys on bouncing back, next week opposition is Ashton Bears and on a fully set out pitch we should be able to show them how to play.

Awards this week :-

Man of the Match, Kian Stanton.

Parents Player of the Match, Harry Stokes.

Coaches Award, Josh Mawdsley.

Effort and Achievement Award, Jake Shaw.

Under 9’s

Judes 7-3 Westhoughton

Today Judes entertained Westhoughton at the Meadow as both teams were without a game.

Judes were up for it straight from the off but some strong running by Westhoughton saw Judes defending their line right from the start. Judes kept their line clean and got the turn over driving the ball straight towards the Westhoughton line. A few sets in and Judes were finding their feet in this match with some great hard runs and great play. Eventually Judes found their way across the Westhoughton line but didn't find it easy in any way, shape or form.

Westhoughton weren't deterred and brought the ball straight back at Judes and found their way across the Judes line. Judes made sure they were looking for gaps and this showed with some great outer edge runs from a few players and even going full length at 1 point.

Judes defence was on fire today and showed in the amount of tackles everyone did

Scores finished at 7 - 3 to Judes but this was a superb game to watch and a few parents from both teams commented after the game on how well this game had been coached and ref'd

Today's Try scorers were

Lucas

Reece

Jack

Harry W (2)

Nathan

Harley

Today's Trophies went to

Alfie - Top Tackler and M.O.M

Harry W- Most Improved

Jack- All Round Effort

Ryleigh- Parents Award

Massive well done to everyone today . Great Game.  Great team effort . Great to watch.

Under 8’s - Gold’s

Leigh east 7-12 St Jude’s gold’s

Short trip across town to Leigh this morning and a new experience for the boys playing on a 4G pitch. Leigh were quick out the blocks and scored the 1st try with some impressive running from their large pack. Judes responded and the 1st half finished 3-2 to Judes. Jude’s impressive defence held out Leigh in the 2nd quarter and increased their lead to 6-2. The game finished 12-7 to Judes in what was an entertaining game from both teams. Standouts today from Judes were Cameron haunch scoring an impressive 4 try's  and James deacon who was relentless in defence and show great leadership skills organising the boys in defence, special mention to Jayden who improved in both defence and attack, was unlucky not to have scored after a great run, well done all the boys great effort.

Try scorers:

Cam (4)

George (3)

James (3)

Leo

Oliver

Under 7’s

Today our under 7s took on local rivals Hindley at their place and kept our unbeaten run going with a convincing 9-2 win.

It was with the first run of the match were we took the lead after a great run through by captain for the day Jack Worthington and a fantastic pass to team mate Mason Chisnall who rounded off a great move to go over in the corner. We knew we had the attacking power to score more tries.

But it was Judes defence that saw off Hindley with a fantastic all round team effort lead by man of match Cody Smith and top tackler Rueben Charnock. Edwin Peposhi was most improved player today he gave is all in defence and nearly got a try as well after taking the ball off his team mate before being stopped on the line.

Well done to all trophy winners today and everybody that played a great team performance us coaches were proud of you all.

Try scorers

Mason Chisnall

Jack Elwick

Jack Worthington

Lewis Fairhurst

Ellis Corfield

Finlay Whelan (2)

Rueben Charnock (2)