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U10’s Match Reports 2011-12

October 2nd U10’s vs Sale Scorpions (Away) Drew 0-0 & Lost 3-0
Game 1: The first game of the season marked a big test for Northwich fielding a number of new players against a well organized and considerably larger Sale squad in this age group. The game proved to be a very closely matched encounter, with two sides determined not to lose on their first outing. In both halves the match was dominated by some great tackling and strong defensive play, with particularly the front row of Luke Thompson, Charlie Johnston and Will Harry making some strong first half hits that laid down a marker of intent for the rest of the game. A good opportunity for Josh Stubbs to run in a try and win the game late in the second half for Northwich was unfortunately spoilt by a knock on just before the try line.

Full Time: Sale Scorpions 0 – 0 Northwich

Game 2: Northwich faced a sterner test in Game 2 with a totally fresh Sale squad who started brightly with a quick try in the near corner whilst Northwich were still getting their bearings. After the restart it was Northwich’s turn to pressurize Sale with some good running through midfield from Aaron Gooch and Bradley Williams, supported well from the wings, although twice being denied by some last ditch Sale defense. To commence the second half Sale again started quickly and caught Northwich napping with another score run in straight from the whistle, and this was followed by a third Sale score shortly after when some loose lineout ball gave Sale possession which they managed to convert into a score. The last part of the second half again saw Northwich regain their defensive composure and they spent the last five minutes comfortably absorbing some consistent pressure from the Sale team, a good test of their defensive lines especially as Northwich were undoubtedly tiring by the close of Game 2.

Full Time: Sale Scorpions 3 – 0 Northwich

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October 9th U10’s vs Liverpool Collegiate (Away) Drew 2-2 & Won 4-2
Game 1: Northwich were slow to gain their composure from the start of the first half and Liverpool equally quick to take advantage, as they applied some consistent forward pressure towards the Northwich try line which resulted in an early score for them. After the restart Northwich settled and their confidence was boosted by a couple of charging runs at the Liverpool defense by Aaron Gooch and Will Harry resulting in a ruck, from which Aaron Gooch managed to again get possession of the ball to score a well deserved try. In the second half consistent Northwich pressure saw the first 5 minutes played entirely in Liverpool’s half. All looked well until a knock forwards gave Liverpool a scrum on the half-way line, from which they managed to get the ball wide and score a try. Towards the end of the second half Liverpool were again put under pressure by the Northwich forwards, and some loose scrummaging on their behalf saw the ball unexpectedly pop out the back of the scrum which a quick thinking Nathan Byrne pounced on and used the opportunity to score a try and equal the scoresheet.

Game 2: An early lineout saw Liverpool win turnover ball which they used to press home an advantage with a concerted push over the try line to score. Northwich restarted well with Aaron Gooch testing their defensive tackling and nearly scoring, but unfortunately the ball came loose in the tackle and was knocked forwards. In the resultant scrum Northwich gained turnover ball and Adam Reece charged towards the line but was thwarted when the ball was held up over the try line for a 5 metre scrum. Northwich scrummaged well and drove Liverpool back toward their try line from where Aaron Gooch was able to pick the ball up and score again. Following the restart Adam Reece was again quick to pounce on a ball passed out wide from a Northwich scrum to score in a tremendous solo effort. Liverpool however equaled the score shortly after following a close encounter of forward tackling, but not to be outdone Aaron Gooch managed to get over the try line once more before half time to end the half 3-2. The second half was a more closely matched encounter which saw some tense defending from both sides, with the only score going to Josh Stubbs after breaking free from the middle of the pack.

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October 16th U10’s vs Bowdon (Home) Won 3-2 & Lost 3-1
Game 1: Northwich kicked-off brightly getting the ball to Bradley Williams for a testing run at Bowden’s defense, and the resultant maul saw Northwich start to exert good forward momentum; as Bowden regrouped the ball came out to Adam Reece who got over the touchline to score. After the restart it was more of the same for Northwich, with forward pressure in the middle of the park driving Bowden backwards before the ball came out to the backs for Adam Reece to score another well deserved try. Next it was Bowden’s turn to press Northwich back into their own half, and some strong defensive tackling by Luke Thompson made the ball come loose for Josh Stubbs to collect and charge virtually the full length of the field before being tackled and forming a ruck, from which Aaron Gooch was able to collect and dive over the try line to make the score 3-0. After the restart it was Bowden’s turn to profit from a loose ball when in a copy of Northwich’s effort, a runner picked up a loose ball deep in their own half and sprinted the length of the field to score. In the second half Bowden were awarded a penalty for a high tackle, which was taken quickly and with Northwich not fully organized into their defensive positions Bowden managed to get the ball over the try line to make the score 3-2.

Game 2: At an early lineout in Bowden’s half Northwich managed to retain possession and press the maul forwards once again, only for the ball to come loose out the side of the maul into the arms of a Bowden player who seized the opportunity and set off down the length of the pitch to score. At the restart the play was predominantly going on in the middle of the park with some good tackling and rucking from each side, before a virtual carbon copy incident of the first try saw the ball come loose for Bowden to profit from a quick runner downfield to make the score 0-2. After half time Northwich pressed Bowden back deep into their own territory before carrying the ball out of play for a Bowden lineout, from which Luke Thompson managed to steal possession and power over the try line with three Bowden players in tow to make the score 1-2! As the clock ticked away Bowden upped the pressure with two consecutive scrums and forward mauls in the Northwich half, and with Northwich tiring they were able to convert this pressure into a score despite some good defensive tackling.

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October 23rd U10’s vs Whitchurch (Away) Lost 6-0 & Won 2-1
Game 1: Northwich started with a shortage of players although Whitchurch were sporting enough to lend us two (Charlie & Fergal – well played!). After the kick-off the play began messy from both teams with knock-on’s leading to a couple of early scrums for each side. It quickly became apparent however that the Whitchurch scrum was a formidable weapon as they seemed able to push Northwich back over the ball in a consistent manner to put the blacks under pressure. Whitchurch continued the forward momentum and drove a maul over the line although the ball was held up for a 5m scrum. However their scrum gave them the advantage again and they drove the scrum over the try line to score 1-0. Shortly after the restart there was another score for the home team when a forward run from the middle of the park was held up over the try line for another 5m scrum, which they converted into a score 2-0; followed by a further score from a good run out the back of a maul to end the first half 3-0. The second half saw some better tackling from Northwich, although Whitchurch pressed home the advantage of their scrum again to score 3 more tries.

Full Time: Whitchurch 6 – 0 Northwich

Game 2: The second match started in the same vane when the red team pushed over a Northwich scrum to release the ball to their backs and score as a runner broke free of the tacking defenders. However, after the restart Northwich started gaining composure and pressed forwards with a good maul that gained some 20m of territory, the ball was released to Nathan Byrne who managed to get over the try line but the ball was judged to have gone forwards and the referee awarded a 5m scrum; Northwich continued to apply some consistent pressure playing deep in the Whitchurch half, and were unlucky not to convert that effort into a score. In the second half it took an even bigger effort from a tiring Northwich team especially as a string of substitutions were needed as the injury list started to grow. However, although losing out in the scrum Northwich seemed able to keep control in the maul, and used this to good effect to release Nathan Byrne again for a charging run forwards to score, shortly followed by a similar effort from Adam Reece; to end the game with a remarkable turnaround victory 1-2.

Full Time: Whitchurch 1 – 2 Northwich

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November 6th U10’s vs Warrington (Home) Lost 9-1
Although not strong in numbers Warrington turned up strong in spirit and showed some good coordination between using their forwards to draw in the Northwich team towards the breakdown, before releasing the ball out wide to a disciplined back row who had the pace and agility to cut through the Northwich defense and score. The Northwich defensive line was put under considerable and consistent pressure in this manner throughout much of the first half, with tacklers struggling to hold onto fast running backs; although as half-time beckoned there were signs of improvement with Luke Thompson and Kimmie Harrogate demonstrating to the rest of the team that Warrington could be brought to a halt and possession overturned with some great individual efforts (although the half ended 4-0 to Warrington). For the second half the tackling improved, and although not always successful in defending, it was the much greater effort and positive attitude displayed in the approach to the tackling that won the crowd’s appreciation. Bradley Williams got over the line late on for a consolation try, but the game was already lost and the final score ended up 1 – 9.

Full Time: Northwich 1 – 9 Warrington

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