|
28th November U13 vs Congleton (Home) Won 46-5 Cheshire Cup – First Round
A bright and cold morning saw Northwich put on a commanding performance against Congleton.
From the kick off, Northwich were straight into the attack mounting strong pressure on a fumbled retrieval. A Congelton knock on lead to scrum on the far right of the pitch, Matt Sheppard came up with the ball and broke blind to score his first try for Northwich.
From the restart, Northwich were quickly back in the Congleton 22, more pressure leading to another scrum. Northwich swapped their back row around with open side flanker Houghton swapping into the number 8 slot. Houghton picked up and flew out of the scrum and burst through the defence to crash over the tryline. However, in his desire to get under the posts his legs crossed the dead ball line and the try was disallowed.
There followed a series of simple errors by Northwich which saw them conceding ground and were soon being pressured in their 22. However, the defence held and finally the backs saw a sniff of the ball and made plenty of ground in a smooth running and passing move. Finally the move ran into touch. The throw favoured the Congelton side of the line, but the ball was gathered in by Turrell who blasted through the cover and was only just stopped short of the line. However, the sigh of relief had hardly escaped the Congelton lips when Turrell was back on the ball and his power and guile paid off as he blew another hole in the defence to score Northwich’s second.
Again George was unfortunate with the conversion.
The third try was a dream score for Bridle as Houghton gave a master class in putting away a 2 on 1 and the big prop found himself on the wing for the easiest of scores.
Another missed kick meant that the score was now 15 – 0.
As the game now started to open up, No 8 Baker started to find some gaps and with his pace it was not long before he was running in the fourth under the sticks. George made sure of this conversion and at 22 – 0 the games was rapidly getting away from Congleton. However, Northwich had not finished and “Rhino” Barlow was the next on the score sheet as his burst of power and speed for the Congleton defence.
At halftime, second row Connell was replaced by Collier, but this did not alter the power of the forwards with Collier making some strong runs.
From a lineout on the Congleton 22 the ball went to ground and as the defence were thinking about gathering it, Houghton fly hacked it on, another deft kick and he just had to drop on the ball to finally get on the score board.
At this point the coaches decided that they wanted to give first timers Ashton (2nd row) and Blears (wing) as well as McCosh (Wing) a run out. Steers, Curwell and Underhill making way for the newcomers. Thompson was pressed into the flyhalf slot with Ben Jones going to full back. However this proved not to be a happy combination with 2 key players taken so far out of position and the loss of Underhills ferocious tackling, Congleton were able to weave their way through 5 or 6 tackles to get on the score board, much to their delight.
This proved a wake up call for Northwich who were starting to take their foot of the gas. Thompson swapped back to his preferred full back roll and Jones took over at fly half.
Northwich were quickly back in their stride with the rangy Baker again putting in a solo try from long range, George getting the conversion.
Another good take from the restart saw Northwich straight back into Congleton’s half and in a rare moment the backs actually got to see the ball and Philips powered towards the sticks, however, it was Ben Jones that became the only back to get on the score sheet today.
So Northwich ran out winners 46 points to 5, a confidence building win, but by no means a polished performance. There was too much spilled ball and a lack of determination at the break down. The ball rarely got cleanly out to the backs, who when the ball did come were still too lateral. However, there were plenty of signs that individually people are starting to take responsibility for the ball and are trying to play as team.
Return to fixtures
5th December U13 vs Caldy (Away) Lost 17-15
Northwich appeared at Caldy without 4 of the starting pack from last weeks victory over Congleton and with no reserve forwards at all.
From the kick off Northwich pressured Caldy hard and were only denied a score by a short margin. However, penalty followed penalty and Northwich were marched back up field. for some time the match hung in the balance before Caldy broke the dead lock and opened the scoring. A number of "interesting" refereeing decisions had lead to the position from which Caldy scored from and this served to further the gloom in the Northwich camp. Devoid of the go forward normally delivered by Bridle and Turrell the two missing props, Northwich struggled to gain any quality ball, when ball did come it was too easily surrendered. Caldy's second came deep into the first half, when the cover in the backs failed to get across in time and was out flanked.
Caldy thought that Xmas had come early when following the second score there was a mix up at the restart and Scrum half matt George kicked the ball straight to Caldy's big centre. With half the backs out of positin this guy just ran through some very inefectual tackling and scored under the sticks. This was the only try to be converted.
Half time could not come soon enough for Northwich as they tried to regroup and work out where things were going so badly wrong. Flanker Connell reported in sick, so changes had to be made to provide forwards cover. Ben Jones was pressed into the forwards as cover and Woodhead partnered Philips at centre. Hart came on at scrum half in place of George.
Jones soon made his power felt in the tight and slowly Northwich started to see a bit of ball. A little clean ball was all that Fly Half Underhill wanted and soon he was tearing up the pitch daring the Caldy defence to tackle him. A good chip ahead had the Caldy cover scambling back and their big centre dropped on the ball 5 meteres out. Underhill and Houghton were there in a flash, however the stayed on side and on their feet. The Caldy centre made no attempt to get up so the Northwich pair attampted to retreive the ball. However, the ref then blew up and to the dismay and disbelief of the Northwich crowd the penalty was awarded to Caldy for "not letting the player get to his feet" even though the player made no attempt to do so.
Howls from the crowd were seemingly ignored by the ref, however, following the kick to touch a penalty was then awarded to Northwich for an apparent offside at the kick.No doubt the ref had thought about his decison and tried to make amends, however much of the advantage had been lost by then.
Northwich set up to take a tap penalty but the move was interfered with by a certain front row forward getting in the way a spoiling a well rehearsed move. But heads were coming up and Northwich realised that all was not lost and that with some application they could get themselves back into the game.
First to score was Underhill, another searing break was too much for the Caldy cover as he crashed over the line. Then more tradgedy, "Rhino" Barlow received a nasty kick to the side of the ankle and wasa forced to come off. So Matt George was now pressed into service as Blind Side Flanker and gave him the opportunity to take up the challenge once more.
Quite what had been in the water at half time is still a mystery but now playing up hill, Northwich started to really dominate the game. Some surging runs by the forwards really put the pressure on, Ben Jones getting over the line, only to be brought back by the ref. Finally Phil Williams made his way over the line for the second score. The kick was close, but not quite big enough.
Now the Northwich heads were up and they went out looking for the 3rd try. George collected the kick off and took off up field with purpose. Whereas in the first half Northwich had taken ball into contact, now we started to recycle it quickly and soon they were back in the Caldy half pressing for a score. A blindside run was only just bundled into touch, however, Northwich recovered the ball and moved it wide. A ruck formed about 5 metres out and Scrum Half Hart dummied to pass and sprinted in to score.
3 tries a piece and just the kick to come. Woodhead stepped up and smacked the kick, however it just sailed wide. The ref decided that was full time and Northwich watched an epic recovery slip away.
So at the end of it all it goes down as a loss and the first half was one of the poorest Northwich have produced this season. However, the character of the side came through in the second half and with a little more luck in the decisions could easily have taken the game. So we now will have to wait for the 13th February to redress the balance when Caldy come to Northwich
Return to fixtures
12th December U13 vs West Park (Home) Won 46-10
Its often an onimous sign when the phone rings early on a Sunday morning, it usually means someone unavailable. This week Jack Thompson and Richard Collier were the ones reporting on the sick list.
However, on the plus side we saw our regular props of Turrell and Bridle pack for duty, though we knew That Turrell and Woodhead would only manage the first half due to football commitments.
From the off Northwich looked a more fired up outfit than that which showed up at Caldy last week. For the first time this season the back row sported, Baker (8) with Williams (6) and Houghton (7) and they were quickly into their stride. Williams running very direct and committing lots of tacklers with Baker and Houghton on hand to carry the moves on. Hart started at 9 and ensured that the ball was kept on the move between backs and forwards. For the first 5 minuetes West Park held firm with some great cover tackles. Bridle was unable to repay the service he received last week when he popped up again on the left wing and just went one pace too far before trying to give the scoring pass.
Northwich were applying huge pressure and something had to give, first onto the score sheet was James (Tuzza) Turrell, crashing through the cover to open the scoring. Woodheads conversion attempt was close from out wide.
From the restart Baker decided that he would take the game to the opposition and powered through the defence, it seemed he would go all the way, but was hauled down short, off loaded to the supporting Underhill, who dived in under the posts. Woodhead made no mistake with this one and Northwich were on a roll 12-0.
There followed a period of sustained pressure from West Park, which started from a deep kick off and a superb chase by one of West Parks backs. Full Back George was caught in possession and was lucky to retain the ball, as Northwich's forwards were slow to come to his aid. However, Northwich were not interested in giving anything away and stuck doggedly to their defensive task with some important tackles from Jones (Ben) and Baker.
Before long the normal order of things was restored and Northwich were driving back down field. Phillips opened up on the right wing drew the cover and layed the ball off to Underhill for his second. Again the conversion sailed by agonisingly closely.
Further first half tries from Williams and Barlow should have seen us turn around the half 27 – 0 up, however a late loss of concentration and some slack tackling out wide saw the half time score at 27 – 5.
Half time brought some enforced and some tactical changes. Turrell and Woodheead departed for soccer, Underhil was complaining of an ankle injury and both he and Hart had soccer that afternoon so they were rested.
George came to scrum half, Houghton to 10 with Baker and Philips in the centres. Ben Jones went to full back and Riddle and McCosh took up the wing slots. In the forwards Dale went to loose head with Ashton into the second row. Connel slipped out to Blind Side Flank and Sheppard stepped into the openside flank. Williams moving to 8 to replace Baker
So second half was started with a number of people in new or development positions which took a few minutes to settle in. George at 9 brought a lot more use of the boot to the backs, not always to good effect and left the back line somewhat wanting for ball. However, one moment of inspiration saw him chip the charging defencive line, Matt Philips was quick to spot the potential and with a couple of deft little kicks of the ball and all he was left with was to drop onto the ball for his first Northwich try. Matt George took over the kicking duties and slotted a kick that the Northwich First team would have paid good money for the day before.
The second score of the half went to West Park, some could attacking work had Northwich pinned in their own 22, the ball came out to George, who tried to kick clear, but ended up finding their best player who skinned the out wide defence for a try. The conversion was missed.
Stung by the rebuke, Northwich turned up the heat and a break from Houghton was off loaded to Sheppard, who went high over the defence to score. Having waited 2 years to score, he has now recorded 2 scores in 2 games. The kick slid across the front of the posts.
The day was rounded off when Northwich were awarded a penalty, Houghton took a quick tap and went, Sheppard was on his shoulder to carry the move onward. A thumping tackle stopped him in his tracks, but Bridle was on hand to tidy up and smash his way over for Northwichs 8th try. George added the extras and the score stood at West Park 10 - Northwich 46.
Our thanks to Referee Paul Taylor and to West Park for travelling to visit us and playing the game in great spirit.
Return to fixtures
9th January U13 vs Wilmslow (Home) Lost 45-5
It’s hard to write many positives for Northwich in a game where they were thrashed by a strong Wilmslow side. Although Northwich finished the stronger side in the last ten minutes and managed to get a try on the scoreboard, the rest of the game was spent in their own half trying to prevent Wilmslow from breaking away to score further tries. Thankfully Wilmslow missed all their conversions. At half time Northwich were trailing by only two tries. This was a reflection of the balance of play where the blacks had rarely ventured into the Wilmslow half. However shortly into the second half Wilslow scored two tries in quick succession which killed off the game. Northwich have a large squad of players and the opportunity was given for all those that turned up to play in the game. Most players were substituted in the second half, which made it harder for Northwich to salvage something from the game. Wilmslow scored five tries without reply and were able to run through the black’s defence with too much ease. With ten minutes remaining, those players that had played in the first half were brought back on and there seemed to be a bit more determination to salvage some pride from the game. From the kick off Northwich managed to force Wilmslow to defend just in front of their line. On three occasions it appeared that Northwich had scored only for the referee (Ken Houghton), to rule either that the ball had been held up, or that he was unsighted. But at long last, after a succession of 5m scrums, John Dale managed to drive the ball over the line just before the final whistle. William Woodhead missed the conversion. After the game, the coach Ken Houghton, asked the players some searching questions about themselves. With the notable exception of a few players, the necessary drive and commitment was lacking today. The next round of the Cheshire Cup against Lymm, looms in January and Northwich will be playing no further part if they play like they did today.
Return to fixtures
23rd January U13 vs Wirral (Away) Lost 12-0
Northwich’s last game resulted in a heavy defeat against Wilmslow. Although the blacks lost this game they did play with more determination and effort. Although they failed to score they came close to getting a try at the end of the second half when Phil Williams and James Underhill drove hard at the Wirral defence. However Northwich were always second best in the match and unable to play as a cohesive unit. There was more individual effort and much improved tackling. At the start of the match there was an early let off for Northwich when Wirral kicked over the forwards. Northwich were unable to collect it cleanly and Wirral broke through and although over the try line but bounced the ball down, so no try awarded. Northwich gave possession away too easily and Wirral scored after a Northwich attack broke down on the left wing, Wirral snatched possession and played it out to their winger on the left who outran the Northwich defence to put the ball over the line between the Northwich posts. It was an easy conversion for them to lead 7-0 at half time. At the start of the second half Northwich started the stronger side spending some time in the Wirral half (which was something not achieved in the first half!). But they did not look like they were ever going to break through the Wirral defence. When there was a slight break through, often led by Williams or in one instance Ryan “Rhino” Barlow, there was not enough support to keep the run going. This resulted in Wirral gaining possession too easily. Northwich soon had to defend again and Michael Baker put a great final tackle on the right wing to prevent a breakaway try. Northwich were under a lot of pressure at this stage and again looked to have a break when Rhino managed to pull back the Wirral winger who at the time do not have the ball. Lucky not to have a penalty try awarded against them, Northwich still had plenty of defending to do, did so quite competently. However Wirral worked the ball out from a scrum to their right wing to score their second try. The final part of the match saw Northwich trying to pull back the deficit but a case of “too little too late”.
Return to fixtures
|
