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U13’s Match Reports 2011-12 Featuring five debutants the black s weathered early pressure as they got to grips with the new age grade rules. Both teams produced some stunning play as move upon move was met with fierce resistance as neither team would yield. Whitchurch were encamped on the Northwich 22 for long periods of the first half and thought they had made the break through when the winger was put clean through too put the ball over the line, unfortunately for the young man he put it down over the second - dead ball line. The visitors did take the lead soon after as the blacks were caught napping, duly converted 0-7. This made the blacks angry, very angry, new prop Griffin and acting scrum half Leah drove deep into the Church half and the on rush of supporting forwards smashed Griffin and the ball over the line for a debut score. A good attempt from distance by Gooch with the extras falling short of the bar, 5 - 7 Game on! The contest continued to and fro with the visitors taking the upper hand, the Blacks forwards worked relentlessly to regain possession, Yarwood, Cole and Lewis covering ground to good effect in the loose. Tired legs told towards the end of the first half as Whitchurch snatched further advantage with a fine burst through the middle, duly converted 5 - 14, Half Time Second half started as the first ended, Frith and debutant Conway defiant in the centres making tackle after tackle could not stop the next score from the visitors, not converted 5 - 19. Jackson returned to the field at number 8 in place of Moss and the impetus swung back to the home side. Great forward work produced a penalty at the 5 metre line and Leah duly obliged with the tap and go too touch down, Gooch’s effort again on target but short on legs. 10 - 19 The sails were up and Northwich again pressed back the visitors, a series of scrums and scrappy play saw Griffin again emerge with the ball and run half the length of the pitch to score his second try of the match in the corner. Gooch’s monster conversion effort feathered the bottom of the bar 15 - 19, two minutes on the clock. Next try wins! Blood binned Lewis replaced Yarwood at flanker as the blacks went to snatch the win. Both teams were now running on empty as discipline and errors ate into the remaining seconds of the game. Referee Cole signalled full time as the crowd bayed for more. Many thanks to Whitchurch for travelling over; we look forward to meeting you again and best of luck for the season. Northwich - Moss, Cole, Griffin, Richardson, Watson, Yarwood, Lewis, Jackson, Leah, Gooch, Frith, Conway, Limby, Ollier, Furlong, sub Bray (Jackson 20) Tries - Griffin 2, Leah 1 Return to fixtures Knutsford were soon pressing from the restart and only a last ditch tackle from Watson prevented the equaliser. The hosts though were soon on a par with a try from distance, unconverted 5-5. As hard as the forwards fought, mistakes and a lack of composure crept in allowing turn over ball again leading to another long range try, unconverted 10-5 Half Time. Second half continued much as the first finished, missed tackles out wide and a fifty yard run in under the posts, extras added, 17 - 5. The Blacks were staring down the barrel and conceded a try and conversion minutes later, after a Knutsford scrum, everyone watched on as the Knutsford player ran unchallenged behind the line of backs to touchdown under the posts 24 - 5. Northwich recomposed themselves and slid into second gear with the forwards driving the ball huge distances the fight back continued with Griffin sneaking through to reduce the arrears, Gooch close but no coconut with the extras, 24 -10. The tails were up, with Griffin again breaking through and Gooch on target with the extras 24-17, game on! With the forwards still in the ascendancy it only looked a matter of time before the Blacks would further reduce the arrears, not to be, as another missed tackle on the half way and a lack of cover allowed the killer blows to be struck, 31 - 17. More composure needed but this will come with experience, well played Knutsford, they will improve and cause a few shocks this season, many thanks for hosting us. Team - Bray, Cole, Moss, Richardson, Watson, Yarwood, Lewis, (Griffin 20) Jackson, Linsley, Gooch, Leah, Conway, Ollier, Flaherty(Limby), Frith - N/A Barnett Return to fixtures Featuring two more debutants the Blacks were slow out of the blocks, succumbing to several scores in quick succession. Slowly the Blacks awoke from their slumbers with the forwards securing good ball in the loose and sharing the spoils in the scrum. Barnett was held up short of the line as the visitors started to give as good as they had been given, Griffin also desperately short as the Chester line held firm. Last seasons Cheshire Cup finalists kept the scoreboard ticking over with regular scores but the blacks continued to impress with work done in training evident throughout the match. Bradley and Lucas combining well with covering tackles whilst old heads Cole and Yarwood keeping things tight in the flanks. Tired legs kicked in on the world’s biggest pitch, but this was a very good performance against a very good Chester side, with seven players in their first season of club rugby things bode well. Team - Griffin, Flaherty, Moss, Watson, Lewis (Limby 20), Yarwood, Cole, Jackson, Linsley, Gooch, Leah, Lucas, Barnett, Conway (Ollier 25), Bradley. N/A Frith, Bray, Richardson. |
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November 6th U13’s vs Sandbach (Home) Lost 34-14 Both teams were looking for their first victory of the season, with the visitors in the ascendency for the opening exchanges. The Blacks, fully resplendent in their new kit, held firm under 5 minutes of pressure on their own try line. The pressure paid off for Sandbach as their big number 12 smashed through the wilting lines of resistance to open the scoring, soon after it was another with conversion, 12-0. Stern words and an improved response saw the Northwich forwards dominate in the mauls and compete fiercely in the rucks, a lack of experience costing possession on occasions as infringements marred further progress towards the line. Northwich never really applied sufficient pressure to the Sandbach line and were caught out twice by long range try’s, HT 22-0 and staring down the barrel! More stern words at the interval and a few questions asked of the boys. The touchline gag is always can we start the first half at half time when the players have woken up. A few tweaks, with Gooch and Lucas swapping at 10 and 12, Flaherty on for the injured Cole and Frith pushed into the back row. The changes in the backs soon showed after some superb work in the forwards, followed by quick hands and straight running, Leah crashed over the line, with Gooch adding two more off the inside of the post. Sandbach were quick to respond from the kick off and scored in the corner after a mix up of which way the forwards should go, but the Blacks were soon over the visitors line again with Leah touching down, Gooch with the extras 27 -14 game on. A superb second half for Northwich, showing more composure and players taking responsibility, Sandbach sneaked over in the final play of the match to give the scoreline an unbalanced tilt. Still, we won the second half and on the performance in general it won’t be much longer before this new look side gets its rewards. Team - Moss, Cole (Flaherty 25) Griffin, Watson, Richardson, Yarwood (Ollier 15), Lewis, Jackson, Linsley, Gooch, Lucas, Leah, Bradley (Reece 55), Conway (Limby 25), Frith N/A - Barnett, Bray Return to fixtures That was probably as good as it got for Marple in the first half as the impressive boot of fly half Lucas kept the home team going backwards as the Northwich pack continued to impress with their lineouts. Twice the pack drove the ball over the Marple line only to be adjudged held up, but the heads were up and the forwards were rampant in the scrum with all eight working as a unit. Sustained pressure in Marple 22 had to eventually pay dividends and did with skipper Leah easing over the line after swapping places with Conway and hitting the blindside. Gooch had the accuracy with the extras but not the length HT 5 - 5 “DO NOT START THE SECOND HALF HOW WE DID THE FIRST ONE!!” Both teams were up for the second half and the ferocity of the tackling brought many “oooffs” from the sideline, particularly Conway, who continue to impress in his first season of rugby, there isn’t much of him, but can he tackle! A shame then that Marple edged in front after a series of missed tackles allowed the 13 to make it 10 - 5. Never mind get on with it, 12 minutes left, lets go. The blacks forwards continued to edge their opponents but the game now became littered with knock ons and tired legs. The game now evenly balanced as Marple defended resolutely and defended like tigers. Lucas’s long punt evaded the full back running in to the try zone, rather than making the ball dead, kicked long straight into the arms of onrushing second row Watson who not only caught the ball on the move but ran it back from 20 yards out to level the scores, Gooch again accurate but short. Both teams now very tired and errors further increased, Northwich won a penalty with the last play of the match, but with the posts out of range, the game ended with Marple regaining the ball and kicking dead to end the match. Now - the pre match talk about what happens if it’s a draw came into play, both coaches agreed it was the team that scores the first try wins, the ref thought it was the away team, so while we ummed and arrgghhed at the final whistle Chris form Marple gathered both teams together, congratulated them all for a fantastic game of rugby, explained the situation, then ran off to get the rules! It turns out that Drawn games shall be decided as follows: - (1) There will be no extra time in any match (2) In matches other than the finals, the result shall be determined by: - (i) The number of tries scored - 2 EACH (ii) The number of conversions - 0 EACH (iii) If both teams remain equal the away team shall go forward. - Northwich Upon his re-arrival Chris explained the outcome to the Northwich coaches and players, to their credit non of the blacks players reacted and skipper Leah accompanied Chris to speak with the Marple players and explained the outcome, skippers shook hands, players shook hands again, then they all went and ate the Marple kitchen out of house and home! In sport, any sport, as a player, coach, parent, spectator, referee et al there are moments when you think, yes that’s what it’s about, that’s why we do it and we will remember it, today was one of those days. A comment from Jackson in the Northwich squeeze at the end summed up the day “We’re a team, a family” Many thanks to all at Marple who were true gentlemen, hopefully we can replay today in one of the finals on May 6th. Northwich travel to Stockport on 27th November in 1st round Return to fixtures November 27th U13’s vs Stockport (Home) Lost 57-10 Cheshire Cup Round 1 It wasn’t all one way traffic Northwich showed promise at times with the spoils shared amongst the forwards, but with the backs not man to man marking Stockport found space wide and the best kicker we’ve seen at this level piled on the two point extras from wide positions. Forced changes at half time due to knocks and bangs heralded new ideas and new positions, Preece in only his second game, took on the no 8 challenge, whilst debutant Hopping made way for Ollier. A much more spirited display in the second half with most of the play in the hosts half. Sustained pressure lead to another Watson try from short range after a great pick up and go from Preece. Bradley was denied a score several times as the Stockport line held firm under continued pressure, but the improving Lucas scored his first try of the season with the backs shipping the ball wide. Great second half show from this very new team, lets face it we were never likely to win the Cheshire Cup but we will get a chance to progress in the plate competition in the New Year. Many thanks to our hosts Stockport for providing the facilities, referee and best of luck in the next round. Northwich - Bray, Cole, Moss, Richardson, Watson, Yarwood (Flaherty 35) Frith, Jackson (Preece 25) Linsley, Lucas, Hopping (Ollier 25) Leah, Bradley, Conway, Gooch. U/A Lewis
Return to fixtures A great display by all the players involved from both clubs in absolutely abhorrent weather conditions that saw driving winds, rain that came down, went sideways and at one point looked like it was coming upwards - then the hailstone started where the rain left off! With huge unavailability’s from last weeks Stockport game and only 14 players available changes were required to the Northwich outfit, Moss moved from front to second row, Lewis from 6 to 8, Lucas to 9 from 10 and Gooch 15 into 10, the rest pretty much as you were. Both teams started brightly with BP on the offensive in the Blacks 22 in the early exchanges. The Northwich forwards were in no mood to be rolled over and forced play to the other end of the field leading to a Ieaun Lewis try under the posts, duly converted by Cameron Gooch. Matt Watson was next over shortly afterwards, followed by two more from the marauding lock forward making a 1st half hatrick, Gooch only successful with one from the three conversions, HT 24-0 Emphasis on the second period was moving through the phases. With the forwards securing all scrums, lineouts and breakdowns the backs were able to run plays from training. All four try’s in the second half from the backs players. Stand in scrum half and the very impressive Patrick Lucas with two scores, Grant “Cheshire” Leah with one and another from Cameron Gooch (in my bias opinion) the pick of the bunch with him racing through from half way. Shame he put his own conversion against the post! A good run out against less experienced opposition and playing a man down through out, a good result for the 14 players who travelled over as boys and came back as men - unwashed and not wearing any undies - shower kit next week please! Couple of mentions, all the forwards especially young Sam Preece playing up a year and completing his first full game, Steve Moss who makes huge improvements each week and today made a big impact moving into second row. In general a great display by all eight, they won everything and created a platform for the backs. In the backs - Jack Hopping, only his second game and the first full one looked the part at 12 with several driving runs and was unlucky not to score in either half. Oscar Bradley who just seems to love it and Josh Conway who shivered…alot! Many thanks to Birkenhead Park for your hospitality and a quality referee who coached rather than penalised, especially in the scrums where both teams stayed on their feet despite the conditions. We look forward to welcoming you to Northwich next year. December 11th U13’s vs Crewe & Nantwich (Home) Lost 33-5 Pleasing for both sets of coaches was the tempo in which the game started, The Crewe coaches admit that they are slow starters as are Northwich, so it was refreshing to see both teams trade equal blows in the opening exchanges. The visitors took the lead at the end of the first quarter when cold hands and missed tackles allowed the opener, a similar affair also with the Crewe 2nd try. It wasn’t all one way traffic though, Ieaun Lewis who again was immense at number 8, lead the forward charge and was unlucky not to score, a bit of closer support was required but none offered. The forwards in general are turning into a bit of a scrum machine and more than held their own against a well drilled set of C & N forwards. In the backs, Patrick Lucas eased the pressure with some fine defensive kicking and Jack Hopping at 12 made some very good tackles - just remember to keep them down Jack! HT 21-0 Second half didn’t start that well with an immediate score under the posts, any way back up and back at them. Plenty of too- ing and fro-ing in this half , Cole out to blindside, Flaherty on for the injured Frith, Lucas into 9, Gooch back to 10 from 15, Leah 12 from 13, Watson off, Richardson back on, Conway off from 14 then back on to 13 almost immediately, Ollier on, Hopping off, Limby on, Linsley off and a debut for Drew Perrin, all watched by the injured Moss - and it was said we would struggle for numbers this season! The game was now starting to resemble something of “It’s a Knockout” with players slip sliding everywhere but the SJD surface held firm as Northwich played their Joker and Ieaun Lewis covered half the lak…pitch to dive over the line with close accompaniment from the covering C & N backs 28 - 5 Gooch inexplicably going back to his Footballing days at SJD and smashing the ball in the top right hand corner, over the bar Cameron, over! C & N closed the match as they started the 2nd half, with a try, final score 33 - 5, I think, don’t remember missing any other trys and my note book had gone paper mache. A great performance from all players & coaches involved, the last time these two teams met is when we rebuilt at under 11s and conceded 60 points with out them breaking sweat. We have rebuilt at 13s with steel and resolution, the final ingredient experience cannot be rushed and must be added week on week making the mix stronger. Some mentions - Referee Dave Cole, who kept it sensible and safe. Tom Bray - didn’t get injured or cold! Liam Yarwood - nose bleed and gritty performance, Drew Perrin - debut, you will never play in a worse weather day than today and finally - Jack Hopping - “what happens if some fit girls go past?” Many thanks to all the parents and others who turned out to watch, SJD seems a popular venue. Apologies for the lack of facilities and food afterwards, but you can’t account for people who have NO idea. Return to fixtures Over the last 4 years it is more than evident that their current 13s have improved dramatically, wins against Lymm, Stockport and our neighbours show that they are a force to be reckoned with on the Cheshire scene. Conal’s match reports are also improving and provide a good read to the neutral! http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/anselmiansrufc/j/match-reports-13630.html&archive_id=5463 However if we cant out score them, I’ll have a go at out quoting him! Please excuse the referencing it’s been a while! Green M. (1927) described Rugby as "A game played by fifteen a side, at least half of whom should be totally unfit." After all the fitness work put in over the last month the last thing we expected was for the whole team to be unfit (with a couple of exceptions) Things started well, great punctuality and a great start in the changing rooms, things looked good! Welsh hardman Ray Gravell explained his rugby philosophy that "You've got to get your first tackle in early, even if it's late." Well the Blacks sort of did but it was more like “You’ve got to get your first tackle in after about 20 minutes” which doesn’t quite have the same ring too it. As a result the Selms wrecking ball of a number 8 smashed 2 trys in and nearly took out Jack Hoppings front teeth and Grant Leah plus half a dozen others as he was given the run of the park, Selms adding another before the half with the strong wind at their backs. Sportingly Selms took off “Chuck Norris” and let Northwich play with their match ball for about 10 minutes, which fairly enough was held up over the line twice and stayed for the majority in the Selms 22. HT - 19-0 Second half started with great promise, especially as Selms made 13 substitutions, Griffin came close to crashing over and Lewis was again held up as the blacks tried to get back in the game. With the wind at their backs the Northwich back line shipped the ball wide to Jack (yes your teeth are still in) Hopping who despite being 1 v 1 with his opposite number kicked the ball rather than taking his chances in hand, which, brings me to my next quote "In 1823, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball in his arms and ran with it. And for the next 156 years forwards have been trying to work out why." Sir Tasker Watkins (1979). The Northwich coaches, like Sir Tasker were also trying to work out why anyone wasn’t running with the ball and why they had taken to kicking it. . . damn you T.V! Discipline or rather a lack of it took hold and Northwich allowed their visitors off the hook with poor decisions, a series of penalties and a couple of cases of not actually looking gave the Selms 2 scores. Quite an even second half territory wise until Selms reintroduced “Chuck Norris” and then it was all over with 2 more trys and a conversion in 5 minutes, although Referee Cole admonished “Chuck” for his 60 yard try celebration, unfortunately for Northwich he was 60 yards from their try line when he actually started the celebration! Not many positives at all today and yes, we have had along lay off but we have not been idle the Blacks looked lazy and lacklustre up front, Peter Fitzsimmons stated that “Forwards are the gnarled and scarred creatures who have a propensity for running into and bleeding all over each other." He would have not been given that impression whilst watching today’s performance! The backs didn’t fare any better either, despite having a hooker and second row on the wings, the experienced players did not shine. The best way to sum up today would be my final quote (and I am trying to be positive) "No leadership, no ideas. Not even enough imagination to thump someone in the line-out when the ref wasn't looking." J.P.R. Williams (1984) Players worth a mention, Sam Preece, Alex Frith and Ieaun Lewis, really busy up front with little support. Take that Conal! Team - Bray, Cole, Preece, Richardson (Moss 25) Watson, Frith, Yarwood, Lewis, Lucas, Gooch, Leah, Griffin, Flaherty, Hopping (Perrin 15) Bradley N/U - Ollier - N/A - Conway, Jackson, Lindsley Return to fixtures "Rugby football is a game I can't claim absolutely to understand in all its niceties, if you know what I mean. I can follow the broad, general principles, of course. I mean to say, I know that the main scheme is to work the ball down the field somehow and deposit it over the line at the other end and that, in order to squalch this programme, each side is allowed to put in a certain amount of assault and battery and do things to its fellow man which, if done elsewhere, would result in 14 days without the option, coupled with some strong remarks from the Bench." - P. G. Wodehouse Very Good, Jeeves (1930) Right no more quotes, honest! The 13s made their 1st team pitch debut against their local rivals from Chester, fortunately their A squad was on Cheshire Cup duty at Caldy. A large crowd of parents, Colts and 1st team players lined the bank as both teams slugged out the opening exchanges. Chester’s slick handling looked like it may cause problems but the Blacks tackling and cover play was a far flung improvement from last week. The Northwich forwards took control early on and secured the lion’s share of possession, the backs on the other hand initially thought they were playing with a bar of soap, which then turned into a hot potato. Once they realised it was a rugby ball they settled down and started to move the ball with more confidence. Scrum half Jack Linsleys mad dash from Stockport left him shirtless until we raided the Colts kit just before kick off, however despite his lack of kit and impending training fine Jack marshalled the forwards superbly and has really taken a big step forward in progression. The Blacks opened the scoring through Grant Leah as his aggressive demeanour opened doors through the Chester defence, next over was Ieaun Lewis with a superb 75 yard break away try after a spell of sustained Chester pressure in the Northwich 22. Chester had attacked the Northwich line ferociously but the defensive rear guard action held firm. Gooch broke free inside the 22 and despite being wrapped up fed the ball to Lewis who out stripped everyone to cross in the corner and put down under the posts, Patrick Lucas unable to convert either of the extras. Chester refused to lie down and fought back immediately, quick hands and commitment in the loose once again saw Northwich pinned back in their own 22, a series of scrums and penalties resulting in Chester hitting the post protectors on the floor and the conversion duly slotted - HT 10 - 7 Ollier replaced Perrin, Conway for Yarwood and new signing Nick Collins dropped in at 13 for Bradley. Second half much the same as the large crowd swelled further to witness both teams trying to run with ball, Jack Hopping came to the Blacks rescue on several occasions with some fantastic 1v1 tackles to prove that if you get low enough you don’t get hurt! It was the pace of new boy Collins that proved the difference in the second period, twice racing through after good work all round, shame about the conversion attempts! Chester still refused to lie down and didn’t move away from their competitiveness up front or their quick handling in the backs, it was only a shame that the final whistle had to sound to end a really good hours worth of Rugby. Special mentions - Sam Preece who despite playing up a year is becoming a very fine player on the pitch and a proper gentleman off it. Jack Hopping has had a torrid time in his introduction to the game so far but stood up to be counted today, Drew Perrin who has dropped seamlessly into the team, Jack Linsley as above. Cameron Gooch who was asked to provide a performance that he is capable of and did. The whole team deserve mentions as they all stuck at it on a large and very heavy pitch and the difference in the changing room from last week was all too evident. The most pleasing of all is to see so many parents and players still at the club at 1.30 onwards. The lads looked great “hanging out” in their travel kit. Many thanks to Chester for coming over, we look forward to coming back to you later this year. Team - Bray, Cole, Preece, Richardson, Watson, Yarwood, (Conway25) Lewis, Moss, Linsley, Lucas, Leah, Bradley, (Collins 25) Hopping, Perrin,(Ollier 25) Gooch N/A Flaherty, Frith, Jackson Return to fixtures I have been commended for last weeks positive slant on the report and it was suggested that I create a “word bank” of positive words for future use, I have other words relatively unused in match reports until now, skiing, yellow card, two, hat tricks, ten, tip tackle & snow boarding to name a few. So with the half term decimating both teams it was decided to play 11 a side, Coach Grassby was beside himself with joy as he opted for 4-4-2 formation with both the central midfield players allowed the “1 go 1 stay “option, both full backs were to push forward and the two upfront could rotate sitting “in the hole” He then realised he was on the wrong pitch! Coach Preece or as the players now refer to him “oh no not again” lead the warm ups and his dynamic no chat warm up approach paid dividends in the early exchanges as Cameron Gooch raced from his own 22 to the Sale 22 only to be felled by the full back (watch out for this lad) From the resultant breakdown Patrick Lucas broke the deadlock. Sale decided they weren’t here to make up the numbers and promptly roared into life hitting two long range trys to leave the Northwich boys feeling like the England team did yesterday. Enter Ieaun Lewis! The Welsh destroyer added some guile and a fair bit of slipperiness to the blacks forward thrust and quickly restored the home advantage as he weaved in and out of the Sale defence adding two quick trys. Jack (watch out for him as well) Hopping thought he’d scored his first try ever as he accepted a forward pass from Grant Leah, only for referee Clarkes whistle to deny. Grant Leah met the Sale Full Back and the full back did exactly the same to Grant as he did to Cameron, in fact he did it to several Northwich players, this earning my man of the match! Well done young man! Northwich put the pedal to the metal after this adding trys from Nick Collins twice, Grant Leah and Patrick Lucas adding another touch down with both Collins and Lucas adding two of the extras available HT 34 - 10 The Sale coaches must have added wind to the Sale sail at halftime as they pinned their hosts back into their own 22 during the opening 5 minutes of the second period. The blacks held firm despite continually giving away penalties, Lewis again broke free and slithered half the length of the pitch, passed to Gooch, to Watson to Hopping back inside to Leah to Lucas, back outside to the onrushing Drew Perrin...Try there! A full 75 yard team try best of the season so far. Grant “I’m off to Cheshire tomorrow” added his second in the corner, then came off with a knock, only to come back on and score his hat trick after fine work at the restart form Patrick Lucas. Sale returned a Nick Collins kick with a plomb and straight under the posts to reduce the scores Things turned sour when Jack Hopping sought retribution to a remark about his hair colour and was shown a yellow card for the follow up dangerous tackle. Patrick Lucas capped a fine morning’s work with the final score of the day. A great display at times with loads of changes against a very spirited side which contained several fine performers, two wins on the bounce and the rev up to the end of the season tournaments is very much evident. Team - Bray, Yarwood, Preece, Richardson (Lewis 10) Watson (Moss 10) Lucas, Gooch, Leah, Collins, Perrin, Hopping Return to fixtures A promising start from both teams with just the bare 15 Blacks players who were in the ascendency for the opening 10 minutes, as an equal contest looked on the cards. Trafford decided they would then rev the engine and their backs got to work on a missing in action Northwich back line and ripped 3 trys and a conversion in the first half. Sportingly the Northwich players contributed to their own downfall…we’ll leave that there! 0 - 17 The lifeboats were launched by Nick Collins after great work from fly half Patrick Lucas to reduce the score 5 - 17 at Half time. Despite two consecutive wins, and some half time encouragement it must have been the half term that brought forward the second half iceberg that the Northwich crew sailed slap bang into. Trafford were ruthless in their handling and an all at sea Northwich defence could do nothing but sink further into the abyss. As with any disaster there are lessons to be learnt, and positives to be gained, Drew Perrin can hold his head high for holding his man to man position as can Oscar Bradley for his first run out in the forwards, but it’s the experienced players that must look at themselves and put more into the game than a drooping bottom lip and a reason to blame someone else. Team - Bray, Cole, Preece, Watson, Richardson, Yarwood, Bradley, Lewis, Collins, Lucas, Leah, Hopping, Ollier, Perrin, Gooch. N/A - Linsley, Moss, Flaherty, Frith, Jackson, Conway |
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