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Games on Saturday March 6th 2010
League leaders Lymm established a virtually unassailable lead in the table with a ruthless demolition of Blackburn. Lymm deserve their success as they have been far and away the most consistent side in North 1 West this season. We understand that Rugby World have voted Lymm the February team of the month. Congratulations to them.
Altrincham Kersal beat Northwich in a close match at Stelfox 17-14 after a see saw match. In the other promotion match, Liverpool St Helens ran out 11-3 winners against Broughton Park.
Blackburn and Aspatria are relegated unless there is a swathe of points deductions elsewhere. Aspatria lost to New Brighton in an evening kick-off. Tyldesley were unfortunate to go down in a tight match against Wilmslow and look set to drop down a level as well.
Vale of Lune continued their resurgent run with an impressive away win at Sandbach while Burnage and Leigh shared the spoils in an 11-11 draw at Leigh.
 
Lymm 74-0 Blackburn
Lymm turned the screw on the league title with a dominating disposal of relegated Blackburn. In beautiful conditions, suited to running rugby, Lymm notched 12 tries and may have had many more. The afternoon started in sombre mood with an impeccable minute’s silence for club stalwart, Keith Etherington.  Keith, ever the rugby purist, would have enjoyed the win but not the one sided game itself.  Lymm recalled captain Fletcher to 13 in place of the unavailable Williamson. Miksys, recently converted to front row started and classy back rower Cullinane returned from absence. Deadline day signing Tim Oakes benched and all eyes were on scrum half Stringer who was playing his last game before jetting off to top class US rugby with the Chicago Griffins.  Looking back at the score it’s difficult to understand how it took Lymm 12 mins to trouble the scorer. A Johnstone fumble should have broken the deadlock on 4 mins but it wasn’t until Tom Hughes scampered over after 5 phases of patient attack.  Andy Roberts went over 7 mins later with a barrelling run, aggressively slamming through 3 tacklers. Lymm were dominating the left flank and used their pace to perfection on 23 when Johnstone notched his first of 4 tries. Lovely hands from Pickles, pace from Knowles and finally a lovely pass to the pacey winger. 

Stringer scored a popular try on 26 with an interception and 50 metre sprint before Cullinane finished off a lovely move with Fletcher and prop Bates exchanging passes. The half finished with Scott Harrison latching on to another Pickles orientated thrust. Knowles ,the league’s top kicker managed 4 of the 6 conversions. Half Time 38-0

Kinsey replaced the impressive Harrison with new boy Oakes and gave Tom Darbyshire a well earned opportunity by taking off veteran warhorse Sutton at half time. Blackburn were facing a potential cricket score at this stage and despite 2 early tries from Johnstone again tormenting his opposite wing ,they kept their discipline and started to force Lymm at contact. Indeed Lymm showed real signs of frustration and there was an audible sigh of relief when Knowles finally took a chance on 70 mins. The visiting defence finally capitulated and Johnstone went over for his 4^th. Oakes created a popular score for new tight head Miksys and then Cullinane finished it off for his second at the whistle. Lymm’s home average score is for 34, against 8. With 4 home games remaining from 6 it is hard to see any team dislodging the champions in waiting. Indeed Rugby World have judged Lymm to be the team of the month for February.

Report Courtecy Lymm Web Site

Altrincham Kersal 17-14 Northwich
Northwich travelled to Altrincham in hope of putting AK out of the running for second place in the league but instead found themselves in 4th place after this tight encounter at Stelfox. Player coach for Northwich Muntean sustained a burn injury during the week and took a place on the subs bench allowing Steve Campbell to take the number 10 jersey. Campbell equipped himself well and for most of the first half the 'Black's' were just about on top. They scored first when Chris Heywood supported a Chris James charge to score after ten minutes of frantic play. Richard Dale converted but five minutes later Chris Stewart converted the first a AK's four penalties. The visitors responded positively but an ill judged kick ahead and two slack tackles gifted AK winger J P Singleton an opportunist try near to the 'Black's posts. Stewart fluffed what should have been an easy conversion and then five minutes later knocked himself cold as he tried to stop a bulldozing Graham Robinson from scoring in the corner. Richard Dale converted from the touchline to give Northwich an 8-14 advantage. There were no further tries to come but the visitors conceded a string of penalties and Steve Davidson converted two of them to level the scores on the 35 minute mark. Muntean decided that enough was enough and put himself on only to be immediately yellow carded for diving into the side of a ruck. HT 14-14
Midway through the second half Davidson slotted over his third penalty to put AK ahead but these were the only second half points registered. Northwich were chasing the gaqme from then on but the AK defence held firm. In the last minute of the game the 'Black's drove to within two metres of the AK line but yet another misdemeanour resulted in a yellow card for Heywood and a kick into touch to conclude the match. Northwich infringed too often and AK took their kicks well and defended stoutly. The visitors seemingly lacked direction and need to sharpen up their act top stand any chance of promotion. AK looked more disciplined and with a better fixture list than either Northwich or LSH, look the better bet to secure second spot.

Sandbach 7-24 Vale of Lune
Sandbach failed to get back to winning ways this Saturday when they went down 24-7 to a resurgent Vale of Lune side who have gone from strength to strength throughout the second half of the season. Two mistakes by the Bradwall Road side were punished harshly with two converted tries which meant the home side went in 14-0 down at half time. Sandbach's defence continued to hold strong, however they failed to make their possession count until midway through the second half when Will Stockdale crashed over for his fifth try of the season, converted by Will Cargill. Vale of Lune responded with a penalty and another converted try. Sandbach will be heartened by the spirit the side displayed throughout the game, but desperately need to recapture that early season form when they travel to Altrincham Kersal this weekend.

Vale have recruited well and, if they keep this side together, will be a match for any side in the league next season.

Liverpool St Helens 11-3 Broughton Park
As expected, with just one point separating these two teams in North One West, this was a closely fought, low scoring affair. The decisive moment came in the 66^{th minute with the score locked on 3-3 and both defences standing firm. From an innocuous scrum just inside the Broughton Park half, the ever alert Martin Gambles intercepted a short pass and sprinted all the way to the visitor’s line for the game’s only try. Now leading 8-3, LSH, with skipper Phil Kearns in fine form, cleverly bossed the game to the finish with Gambles securing the points one minute from time with a penalty.}

Earlier a Simon Worsley penalty was cancelled out by one from Park’s Ronan O’Brien in a first half full of endeavour from both sides which also saw O’Brien miss two penalty opportunities. LSH created a number of scoring chances through Paul Bamber, Steve Ormesher and Gareth Tudor whilst Park winger Adi Titloye was stopped three times when looking dangerous down the right wing. Liverpool St Helens have a poor run-in compared to the other promotion contenders with mostly away games to play. They do have the side to reach that second spot and, as a team in form, they may yet get there. A good pack, defensively strong, with a cutting edge in the centres and fast finishers. If they can travel with more confidence and keep their discipline then they are certainly good enough.

New Brighton 25-15 Aspatria
A late start at New Brighton thanks to a break down by Aspatria on the M6. Good news for the New Brighton bar who did a roaring trade waiting for their opponents. As for the teams, well they either had cramp from sitting on a bus for 5 or 6 hours or had suffered the doubtful pleasure of a 4 hour pre-match warm up.

The dire first half possibly reflected these problems but Borthwick kicked a penalty for Aspatria and then Luke Thomson for N. Brighton replied with a couple of kicks to earn the blues a 6-3 half time lead and Aspatria looking anything but demotion candidates. A much better second half and Birley scored after tidying up after Sean Ellis had gone close. Mafi Simione ran through thje Aspatria defense to score and the conversion was good. 18-3 to the seasders. Back came the Cumbrians and after an hour Stephen Moss for the visitors crossed the line after a neat interchange with Cloete. Kati restored the home lead with a try and Thompson converted. 25-8. Aspatria scored the final try and finished strongly with South African Jacques Rowe crossing and Jack Clegg converting from wide out.

Aspatria are therefore relegated with Blackburn while New Brighton look to be safe now.

Tyldesley 17-21 Wilmslow
Tyldesley were the architects of their own defeat according to reports from the respective camps after going down narrowly to Wilmslow. Tyldesley managed to kick only one of the 3 early penalties awarded to them Crampton finally getting one to go over. 3 minutes later Wilmslow levelled through a MacCullam penalty and then the visitors started to play some great flowing rugby to draw away to a 16-3 HT leade. Kennedy scored and then Scofic who was a clear contender for man-of-the match. MacCullam kicked a further penalty.

The second half could not have been more different as Wilmslow paid for throwing the ball about and missed tackles. Tyldesley scored through Tom Barer and Crampton converted. There follwed a number of Wilmslow errors before Bishop finished off a rolling maul move with a try and Crampton put the home side ahead with the conversion. A couple of minutes to play and Tyldesley made a fatal error. A 22 drop-out went out on the full and from the resulting scrum, Mulchrone put Kennedy in the clear to clinch the points for the visitors.

Difficult to see Tyldesley recovering from the threat of relegation now but they were good value for at least a point on the day.

Leigh 11-11 Burnage
Not much available about this match between mid table sides at the time of writing.

This week AK entertain Sandbach, Liverpool St Helens go to Burnage and Broughton Park receive Lymm.

Games on Saturday February 20th & 27th 2010
Apologies for the omission of a report last week. The shock of Northwich's adverse result at Vale of Lune causing writers block..
 
The last two weeks results were a truely mixed bag. Vale of Lune scored 8 points on both Saturdays and beat Northwich but lost to Lymm. Tyldesley beat Sandbach but then went down to near neighbours Leigh. Our leaders Lymm were given a decent game at Aspatria but won both this game and the match at Vale of Lune.
LSH won at Blackburn but their game at Northwich was postponed due to waterlogging.
Altrincham Kersal defeated New Brighton last week but lost their local derby at Broughton Park who played themselves back into the runners-up reckoning with two wins. Wilmslow did well to beat Burnage but were unable to overcome New Brighton up on the Wirral. This was a win that New Brighton needed after sliding down the table in recent weeks. Aspatria go bottom after losing at Blackburn who will be cheered by finally breaking their duck after a difficult season on & off the field.
Lymm are now 6 points clear of their nearest challengers but the adverse results by Northwich and Altrincham Kersal sees these two and Liverpool St Helens joined by Broughton Park with just 2 points covering the four of them. In matches left between these 4 Northwich still have to play away games at AK, Lymm and Broughton Park as well as the LSH game at home. LSH have nearly all away fixtures left but play Broughton Park at home this coming Saturday. Broughton Park entertain both Lymm & Northwich in the run-in. Altrincham Kersal have home games against Northwich and LSH but they look to have the best fixture list remaining with 7 games to play and should clinch the runners-up spot sometime near to the end of April. That said, there is a lot of water to go under the bridge and a lot of upsets still to come before we reach that position.
Aspatria and Blackburn look doomed and Tyldesley, despite sterling efforts of late, have a 5 point gap to close on New Brighton that looks almost impossible to bridge.

Games on Saturday February 13th 2010
The fixture list meant that there were several tight matches in prospect and the results matched the prospect. Lymm were defending a proud home record going back to Sept 2008 but Altrincham Kersal were good enough on the day to bring it to an end. Broughton Park took the points back from a visit to Burnage which has been something of a fortress of late. Sandbach lost at home to Wilmslow and Vale of Lune recorded a second consecutive win-this time at New Brighton..
Northwich and Liverpool st Helens had straightforward wins against Aspatria and Tyldesley respectively while Leigh just managed to overcome bottom placed Blackburn by a single point.
Its tightening up at the top with AK's win at Lymm. With 9 games to play the top 2 spots are now fairly sure to be fought out between Lymm, Northwich, AK & LSH. 5 points cover these four clubs.
 
Lymm 21-30 Altrincham Kersal
A great result for AK who faced the best defence in the top 6 levels in the country. By half time they had scored 25 points to 10 in a 40 min spell that saw too much indiscipline by Lymm that was punished severely. In the second half Lymm drew upon their vast experience and pulled the score back to 21-25 but a catch and drive by AK put matters beyond recovery for Lymm.
Lymm try scorers were Higginson and Sutton with Knowles kicking the rest of the points. For Kersal Hulse, Edwards and Stewart touched down with Stewart kicking the rest.
It was sweetrevenge for Kersal who had lost by a single point at home early on in the seasdon. They are still threatening to snatch one of the two play-off places with the final quater of the season in front of them.
 
Sandbach 14-18 Wilmslow
A good win away from home by Wilmslow's young squad. They led 18-8 at half time after tries by Mulchrone and James Conville "on the stroke". Russ Dymond had put a depleted Sandbach ahead with a try after 15 mins. Cargill kicked a couple of second half penalties for Sandbach but Wilmslow held on for a deserved win.
 
Liverpool St Helens 48-8 Aspatria
Tough matches are becoming the norm for the Cumbrians and this was as tough as they come.
Aspatria started well with a try from Steven Stoddart that the stand-off was unable to convert. He did kick a penalty to complete the Aspatria scoring but at the other end LSH were rampant with tries from Gambles and Kearns. 12-8 at the break but the leagues leading try scorer Ian Stanley got onto the scoresheet along with Harden, Tudor, Cashman and Lourens to give LSH a comfortable victory.

Northwich 43-12 Tyldesley.
The 'Black's' were jolted into action when the visitors scored a try early in both halves; the first from flanker Jonny Bishop and the second from captain Mark Dickinson when he intercepted deep in his own half. Dickinson converted Bishops 5 minute try but shot wide on his 70 metre solo try. Apart from these two scores Tyldesley were never really in this game as the on form 'Black's' racked up seven quality tries with young Richard Dale kicking four conversions. Coach Muntean was pleased with the afternoons performance and believes that they must simply keep winning to seize this North West One championship. Three first half tries and four in the second evidenced the difference in class and commitment between these two teams and at times the intensity of the 'Black's' flowing play was a delight to witness. Graham Robinson opened the home teams account from the base of a five metre scrum. Richard Dale missed the conversion but had no difficulty in improving his brother Chris's try five minutes later. Tyldesley fought a battle of containment but Chris James broke the deadlock on the half hour and Richard Dale converted in comfort to create a 19-7 half time score.

Dickinson's early interception gave the visitors some hope but it was quickly dashed with tries from John Brotherton and Jamie Miritana. Dale converted the kiwi's try which finished off a superb passage of play. The next try was a 'pearler' when Muntean, near his own line, chipped ahead; Chris Dale collected and interpassed with his younger brother for the latter to score between the sticks. Richard converted and at 38-12 the 'Black's' were home and dry. Chris James cheekily broke on the blind side to score his second of the afternoon and Dale was unable to improve from the touchline. The Dale brothers were in fine form as was their cousin Sam Naylor who shone in the pack.

Leigh 22-21 Blackburn
Forgive us for enclosing the Blackburn report verbatim in this weeks round-up. They have had a couple of hard seasons and to lose by a single point away from home must have been sickening to the traveling masses.

Blackburn turned in a passionate and committed performance but were ultimately battered into submission by Leigh who for the majority of the game, were second best in this feisty encounter. The visitors began in fine style both in attack and defence, robbing their opponents in the tackle area and using the ball to great effect, making huge inroads into opposition territory, the only problem area in the first quarter being winning clean lineout ball. The large band of travelling supporters were treated to some scintillating rugby by their team and were rewarded for their presence with a fine try from speedster Seta Kolinisau after a rapier-like break from centre Alan Haworth, converted by the metronomic Paul Bleasedale. 18 minutes gone and Blackburn 0 – 7 up. Could it get any better? You bet, and it came 10 minutes later when, after a series of pressure scrums in the home side’s 22, quick ball was released down the backline for Alan to burst onto the ball and crossed the whitewash untouched. His joy was short-lived however when he had to leave the field a few minutes later with a serious –looking calf injury and the half ended 0-14 to the visitors.

Could it get any better I hear you ask? You bet, and it came early into the second half. Blackburn’s forwards yet again turned over Leigh possession on half way, the backs were released and following some superb offloading by Rich Maudesley, Craig Diggle and Dino Radice, it was left to Craig to finish off the move under the posts and Blackburn were an incredulous 21 points in front with barely 25 minutes left on that very slowly ticking clock. Leigh made what turned out to be a tactical masterstroke with the introduction of a beast of a man at number 8, quite why he wasn’t on from the start is a mystery to us all. Slowly but surely Leigh gained the upper hand in the tackle and ruck areas and with Blackburn giving them an easier ride to our 22 line, Leigh’s big runners were unstoppable, twice crashing over after a succession of drives. Blackburn were unable to subdue the home side and a penalty in front of the posts with 10 minutes to go only added to Blackburn’s worries. Leigh redoubled their efforts and in a frantic last 5 minutes scored a fine try out wide after some good work from their backs to take the spoils. The visitors should take much credit and confidence from this match and captain PJ summed up the feeling from the dressing room when he said “the lads are gutted in there but are well aware of the improvements we’ve made in the past couple of weeks and how well we played today. This defeat has hurt more than any of the others, but that should not detract from how well the lads performed”.

Burnage 18-19 Broughton Park
Broughton Park visited local rivals Burnage who like Park were having an indifferent season. Burnage were missing 6 members from their usual pack and this showed as Park well and truly dominated set pieces. Park were missing plenty of usual suspects too in the shape of scrum half Elliott, No. 8 Clifford, Hooker Wilson. All key members in key positions. This said their replacements were outstanding with Mitchell taking away the Rob Jones man of the Match award or MVP award. Mainly due to his dummy kick and pop to Kinsella on his own try line leaving the Burnage player flat on his face. This set up Park's best bit of attacking play with Kinsella running half the length of the field off loading to the centres who unfortunately couldn't find their wing men.
The first 15 mins were all Park, O'Brien had his kicking boots with him and Park took an early 3-6 lead. More good work from Park's dominant pack left the backs with surely an impossible try to fluff. Ronan in at the centre position showed and went in under the posts 3-13 with the conversion. Naturally Park took their foot off the gas and allowed Burnage back in to the game with poor discipline. Had Burnage discovered a kicker who could slot from beyond the 22metre line Park would have suffered more than they did. Park down to 14 men. From a lineout 5 metres out Burnage went through phase after phase until eventually driving over with a conversion to add 10-13. Park were sloppy from the kick off and found themselves 15-13 down at half time. A speculative kick from a turnover found nobody home,  Knight touching down. Easy conversion missed.
Special mention to Attia who's 60 metre sprint back outpacing the opposition backline to recover a Burnage kick, scoop with one hand and left foot spiral kick to touch was class and saved a possible try, big hand.
Second Half
From the kick off Burnage were penalized for off side, penalty missed. Burnage missed a penalty too. The referee was possibly overofficious and prevented the game from flowing. The penalty count was a lot against 'Park and a few against Burnage. Park's defence stood strong throughout, they limited Burnage to just the 1 kickable penalty, O'Brien slotted 2 himself leaving the final score 18-19. Park would have been happy with the result and dogged defence but they were still found wanting in attack, the backline missed too many tackles which on another day would have been costly.

New Brighton 29-32 Vale of Lune
Vale scored their second win on the trot with this success at New Brighton. VOL will now feel safe and able to enjoy their end-of-season run in. New recruits are fitting in well and they won a tight game at the seaside. Not too much match information available at this stage but well done to the Lancaster lads who always take a good crown around the league with them
Big games still to come with 5 points covering the top 4 and Tyldesley slipping back now into the bottom three with a gap opening.

Games on Saturday February 6th 2010
Good wins for Vale of Lune, LSH and Northwich this week with Vale beating Broughton Park 20-15. New names at Lancaster with Leaumoana showing very well according to reports.
Northwich won well at Leigh going 31-0 up at the halfway mark and making it 38-0 before a string of injuries, replacements and a yellow card brought Leigh back into the game and a deserved 10 point response.
AK won against Blackburn who have had a change in coach, players meetings and many more rumblings. New recruits at Blackburn as well but Kersal ran out 27-6 winners on the day.
Liverpool St Helens beat Sandbach in a surprisingly one sided match. Ian Stanley was on the LSH scoresheet and remains the leading try scorer in the league.
Wimslow ran in 7 tries and spilled a few more chances at home to Aspatria. Final score 58-3. It will be an interesting game for Wilmslow this coming Saturday at Sandbach.
Tyldesley continued their good play but again without reward going down 15-22 to Burnage.
 
This coming Saturday Lymm entertain Altrincham Kersal in the days pick of the matches.

Games on Saturday January 30th 2010
Just two matches survived the weather and both of them were in the south of the region. Second placed Northwich completed a treble this season by winning at promotion rivals Sandbach. Elsewhere, Wilmslow defeated Broughton Park at Pownall Park. The season is looking as if it will go on forever as a further 5 matches became victims of the bad weather. Play offs are already scheduled for May and vacant dates are becoming difficult to find. Once again strength in depth will be the key element for success as late season mid-week matches on hard pitches become a realistic possibility.
 
Sandbach 11-16 Northwich
An important match for both sides in the battle for runners up spot this term and it was Northwich that took the points after trailing to a better side in the first half.
2 penalties from Sandbach's Will Cargill and a yellow card for Dale of Northwich for illegal use in the ruck saw the home side 6 points ahead after 20 minutes. a defensive scrum for Northwich saw a pick up by No 8 Robinson and stand-off player coacxh Muntean was able to get his line going at last. Richard Dale completing the move with a blistering try in the bottom corner. No conversion but a little sparkle returned to the visitors play. Sandbach came back strongly and scored through Neil Baxter as their fast running backs found a way through the Northwich defensive line. Cargill was unable to improve the score but Sandbach fully desrerved their 11-5 lead. Dale the younger then ran the ball and released Dale the senior with a perfectly timed pass. A great move and a great try for Chris Dale-again not improved upon. HT 11-10
A tryless second half but full of incident with honours fairly even in terms of possession. Richard Dale kicked a penalty and Muntean dropped a goal for Northwich to go 16-11 ahead kicking with both the breeze and the sun but it was the defenses that held sway in a strong second half performance.
FT 11-16. Joel Barber returns next week for Northwich but Munteans thigh will need probably need some rest.

Wilmslow 24-10 Broughton Park
It was the Bob MacCallum show at Wilmslow and sweet revenge for a frustrating narrow defeat against Broughton Park earlier this season. The Wolves lost 24-20 at Hough End back in October but managed to even the honours at Pownall Park without two key players. Fly half MacCallum was in the vanguard, scoring all but five points of his team’s decisive victory without the services of winger Jordan Kennedy (Scotland Under 20s squad), flanker Jamie Thomas (Sale Jets) and centre Max Scofic (family bereavement). But much more importantly, this re-shaped side expunged from the memory their dreadful performance a week earlier at Northwich to produce, at times, some dazzling rugby. There were hiccups from the off. Wilmslow, receiving the kick-off , let the ball bounce and the Park pack snaffled it, not letting the Wolves gain possession for fully six minutes into the match.There was some appalling tackling which allowed Park fly half George Mosey to pass three players en route to a try under the posts after 12 minutes.

But when the Wolves woke up, they responded in style, MacCallum scoring and converting two tries, converting another for prop Jack Walmsley and slotting a penalty. Wilmslow’s victory was built in the first half, scoring all three converted tries before turning around 21-10 at the break. MacCallum added a penalty just three minutes into the second period. The Wolves were stunned into action by their lazy play that allowed Park to take an early lead. They looked certain to score on 20 minutes, pushing a controlled ruck slowly but surely towards the visitors’ line, before the ball inexplicably popped out the other side.

Six minutes later, scrum half Charlie Mulchrone launched into one of his trademark solo runs. He was tackled, the ball recycled, and with the Park defence in disarray, MacCallum glided through a gap, dodged a tackle and touched down under the posts. (7-7) Wilmslow were penalised for going into a ruck off their feet on the half hour and Park regained the lead, (7-10) but not for long. Broughton Park put themselves under pressure trying to run the restart kick from their own 22. Wilmslow pounced, secured possession and recycled the ball both ways until the pack drove and drove at the line, leaving Walmsley last up with the try for MacCallum to convert from wide out. (14-10)

In the fourth minute of first half injury time, centre Ricky Chadwick hoofed an intelligent ball into wide open space in the Park defence. He followed up with a devastating and enveloping tackle on a covering winger, forcing him to spill the ball infield. MacCallum was first on the scene, skilfully dribbling the ball towards the posts ahead of flailing defenders to touch down for his second converted score. (21-10). It says much for Wilmslow’s resolute defence that they were able to close out the opposition for the second half and add a MacCallum penalty (24-10). In so doing, they also conceded only a handful of penalties, which speaks also for their discipline. A bone-crunching tackle by winger Josh Longmore, some jiggery-pokery from scrum half Mulchrone and an outstanding display from the back row of Tom Noot, Ryan Parkinson and James Keyes all added to this satisfying victory, which was witnessed by a healthy gathering of former players who had enjoyed a lunch together earlier.
Wilmslow are at home again on Saturday, playing a re-arranged fixture against Aspatria, which was weathered off in December by the frost.

Games on Saturday January 23rd 2010

Lymm beat Tyldesley with some ease and second placed Northwich also ran out comfortable winners over Wilmslow. With Broughton Park, AK, LSH and Sandbach all winning the situation remains tight for runners up position with just 2 points covering the 5 teams beneath Lymm.
Of the teams trying to stay up, Vale of Lune lost, but only by an 8 point margin away at LSH. Aspatria had a better day at Burnage but still lost.
 
Broughton Park 43-12 Blackburn
Park restarted their season with an emphatic win over Blackburn. They scored three free running tries early on but then drew back a little according to reports from their camp and allowed Blackburn to come back. A strong finish however enabled them to restore a better look to the scoreboard. For Blackburn it was another difficult day made worse by the resignation of club coach dave Muckalt post-match.

Burnage 22-7 Aspatria
A new partership at half back for Aspatria with Borthwick joining Clegg at no 10. Steve Moss returned from University to add pace & bite on the Cumbrians wing. both sides were apparently unaffected by the long break due to bad weather and a good match was the result. The Cumbrian side started promisingly with Moss making several incisive runs and Stoddart kicking strongly from defence. Burnage however are packed with experienced players these days and Jonny Scholes in particular was to have a good day. On 20 mins it was Scholes who slipped the Aspatria defence to feed his line and Full Back Mike Filson crossed the chalk for the first score. Filson converted himself but thereafter his radar was a little off-line. Good exchanges did not alter the scoreline and at half time Burnage still led 7-0.
Aspatria seemed to start the second half somewhat sluggishly and Burnage took full advantage when first centre Adam Blaney scored and then Jonny Scholes found a gap to cross to put Burnage 17-0 ahead and only 10 minutes of the second half played. Instead of collapsing to a further deluge of points, the Aspatria forwards redoubled ther efforts and had their best spell of the match with 10 phases of attacking play, that finally resulted in a  penalty on the Burnage line. Quick thinking by Heine Jonker who took a quick tap and plunged over for the score. Stoddart added the extra 2 points and at 17-7 Burnage found themselves in a game. Moss for the visitors was gaining ground with his mazy runs but no further scores were made until Burnage, with the final play of the match, saw Filson cross to make the score 22-7 at the whistle. A good competitive match and well worth the long wait.

Leigh 11-28 Altrincham Kersal
 Altrincham Kersal took an early lead through a Chris Stewart penalty, only to lose when Leigh's Terry Knapman equalised it after 15 mins. Another Srewart penalty made it 6 - 3 for the visitors but, once again, Leigh equalised. This time it was a well-taken drop goal by Leigh's captain David Wood. Both sides were creating chances, with the Leigh backs looking verry sharp but neither side was able to get over the other's line. Then, just about on half time, Kersal's captain Dan Smith, cut away from a scrum, made yards through mid-field and gave the scoring pass to Peter Kilburn. Stewart converted, to bring half time and a Kersal lead of 13 points to 6. Kersal were first to score in the second halfafter Paul Edwards made a scorching run from inside his own half to touch down for a try and another Stewart conversion. Leigh's cause hadn't been helped, first by having a forward yellow carded in the first period and then a red card given to a forward well into the second. They still fought hard though and were able to notch up a 5-pointer when David Wood touched down after they drove from a 5 metre line out. But another Stewart penalty increased the gap between the scores. And when Dylan O'Grady crashed over for a try from a line out, that sealed the victory for Kersal and kept them in third place in the league. 
 
Liverpool St Helens 29-21 Vale of Lune
Liverpool St Helens restarted their North One West campaign with two hard earned points against a competitive Vale of Lune.

After the long absence it was if both sides needed the first half to warm up. 9-6 at half time  all through penalties, the game exploded into action in the second half with five tries, two conversions, two penalties and four yellow cards. Greg Smith landed three out of four attempts for LSH and James Hodder replied with two out of three for Vale in a first half which saw LSH dominate possession and territory but fail to make it count.

Then, three minutes into the second half, LSH, inspired by stand-off Simon Worsley all afternoon, swung the ball along the backs for young full back John Pape to score in the corner. Vale replied immediately with a try from Fraser Spavin running through from a lineout before LSH centre Dave Cunliffe crashed over from 15 metres in the 54th minute. Smith and Hodder then slotted a penalty each to make it 24-14 after 65 minutes followed by a frenetic twenty minute spell in which both sides had two men sin-binned. Amazingly, the sides were back up to a full complement during the lengthy time added on in which both sides scored again. LSH winger Ian Stanley notched his 17th of the season and Vale’s Marc Kellett grabbed a try with the final play. 

Lymm 41-0 Tyldesley
Lymm continued their fine home form. They have now notched 19 consecutive wins, stretching back to Oct 2008. Impressively by “nilling” the visitors Lymm now record the best home defence of any team in the top 6 tiers of English rugby with a paltry 48 points conceded. The league leaders were able to give a debut to new scrum half, Luke Stringer. Having had spells at Macclesfield, Sedgley Park and Waterloo his experience and quality will be a massive boost to Lymm as they look to secure their first league championship for years.

In an unusual game Lymm started and ended brightly but, frankly, lost the territorial battle in the middle part of the game. The visitors, struggling at the wrong end of the season, will find it hard to believe that they have failed to score a single point against Lymm this season though they dominated possession in both games. With no games for a fortnight it was important Lymm started well. They did. Williamson notched a hat trick in 17 mins. The first in only 35 seconds, charging down a defensive clearance. When Stringer went over for his first, but may I suggest not his last, try on 24 mins a cricket score looked on the cards. Injury to hooker Harrison on 25 mins seemed to mark a change in impetus. Tydlesley stepped up and began to create some threat but failed to pierce the impressive Lymm defence. 24-0
Indeed this was the pattern for the restart and only when coach Kinsey finally called up replacements Fletcher and Millachip did Lymm regain some momentum. Jack Johnstone flew over on 71 minutes after a superb break from fly half Hughes and Fletcher. A 20 metre from old timer Millachip released Knowles on 77 mins and then Johnstone stormed over again after an awesome pass from second rower Pickles. Knowles was a little off colour with his kicking, notching a mere 3 conversions.
Coach Steve Rule reflected. “to score 41 points without reply when we had less than 50% of the ball shows how dangerous we are in possession and how strong we are in defence” Kinsey mirrored this view “considering the 2 week break we looked sharp in attack but we must be aware of the factors that deny us possession. It will be tough next week against a team who, apparently, are trying to buy their way out of relegation”’
Debutant Stringer seemed impressed “We started really well, generating quick ball and moving them about, which our outside backs enjoyed, scoring some good tries. However we let our foot off the gas in the middle part and let them back in. I though the scoreline was just and we deserved the points. The lads have welcomed me with open arms and I have settled in really quickly and I am enjoying rugby again". 41-0

New Brighton 15-21 Sandbach
General opinion on the terraces took the view that Sandbach, being the more imaginative side on the day, deserved their victory but they were well assisted by the problems New Brighton have in turning possession and territory into points. It is not that the Blues lack talent in the side. Birley has played at three levels higher than the club’s current position, Mafi has power and pace to force his way through a gap and Sean Ellis is no slouch either. Gareth Simpson and Andy Signal on the wings are both capable of making a considerable contribution but feature too rarely in the game.

A great start by the Blues some great driving play by the forwards and fluid movement involving both backs and forwards in the open pushed the game into the Sandbach half from the kick off. For the whole of the first quarter Sandbach were almost totally pinned in their own half but the Blues failed to find the way to unlock the determined defence and had also failed to convert an eminently kickable penalty. Sandbach, having defended their line successfully made the break out, putting the pressure on the New Brighton defence and completing a move which saw flyhalf Cargill steaming through a gap to score on 25 minutes. A conversion by the same player put New Brighton 7 points in arrears when conceivably they should, by that time, have been 10 points in the lead.

Although Loa Tupou reduced deficit to two points when forced over the line by a well organised drive soon after, the Blues still struggled to get onto the front foot. Sandbach restored their lead at the end of the half after a sustained attack created an opportunity for Cargill to again ghost through, though, on this occasion his boot let him down and he failed to claim the extras. Half Time Score New Brighton 5 – 12 Sandbach

A penalty goal bringing the score to 5 – 15 on 46 minutes added to the problems which were exacerbated as New Brighton were again forced back to within 10 metres of their line immediately from the restart. Remarkably, the line remained intact and it was much against the run of play that Paul Roberts got on the score sheet as he was bundled over the whitewash after a quickly taken tap penalty some 8 metres out. Mafi, substituting at flyhalf for the injured Birley, supported by Sean Ellis had made the break to set up the position and Paul Lewis, taking over the kicking duties, popped over the conversion to reduce the arrears to 3 points. It was now game on.

Lewis for New Brighton and Cargill for Sandbach exchanged penalties but a further penalty goal on the 70th minute pushed the Sandbach lead to 6 points. With Sandbach second row Stockdale in the sin bin for the final minutes of the game the Blues had the opportunity to grab a victory but as at the start of the game the visitors defence prevailed.

Northwich 25-7 Wilmslow
A comprehensive win for Northwich at Moss Farm with 3 tries against a penalty try for Wilmslow. Sweet revenge for Northwich who had lost away at Pownall Park last October. Tries from Brotherton and one each for Richard & Chris Dale saw the "blacks" home comfortably with a good demonstration of running rugby. The sending off of home skipper Richard Smith early on after an initial exchange of "handbags" that got out of hand seemed only to spur the blacks on. Wilmslow defended stoutly but this was not their day. Bob McCallum kicked the penalty-try conversion. Good games for Northwich in the pack from Robinson and Brotherton and the Dale brothers were a handful in the backs.

Games on Saturday January 2nd 2010
A happy 2010 to readers, regular and new alike.
Not much happening on the rugby field over the Xmas period and possibly another blank week-end coming up this Saturday with widespread snow across the region expected.
The one re-arranged match that did, somehow, take place was New Brighton’s home match with our leaders Lymm. Sleet and rain did not prevent Lymm from taking the points back down the M53 to assert an 8 point lead in the league.
 
New Brighton 7-20 Lymm
A covering of slush was cleared from some parts of the pitch at the referees request before the match finally got under way. With the inevitable unavailabilities at Christmas/New year affecting both sides, a disjointed performance might have been expected from both sides. It was the Lymm pack that asserted itself first
and thus creating a platform for attacking play from the backs. Knowles and Williamson interacted well to see Knowles score. A missed conversion and a further penalty sent wide suggested that the full back might have an off day with the boot. However, a further try and conversion by Knowles reassured the visiting supporters after Griffiths and Williamson had been involved. HT 0-12
 
New Brighton started the second half in determined mood on a day when fingers must have been frozen and handling difficult. The home side took hold of the game during a hot 15 minute spell and were rewarded with a stunning try. Stand-off Birley cross kicked for winger Gareth Simpson to collect and run in from a try converted by Birley. 7-12. A further penalty was awarded to New Brighton following the restart but the usually reliable Birley was unable to reduce the deficit.
Lymm re-established forward dominance and the home sides purple patch was just a memory as tiredness became an issue. The final quarter belonged to the visitors and with Mahon for NB sent to the sin bin Lymm kicked the penalty and followed up with a well-worked try by blind side Oliver Higginson. FT 7-20

Lymm will be happy to get the points in the bag while others can not get onto the pitch. They are due to entertain Northwich this Saturday and will be favourites to reverse their only blemish with a win. At this stage a postponement looks the most likely outcome as the cold weather continues.

Games on Saturday December 12th 2009
Lymm won after trailing Wilmslow at half time. Broughton Park beat Tyldesley by a single point in a high scoring game. Burnage upset Sandbach, LSH defeated New Brighton and Aspatria and Blackburn both went down to A Kersal and V. of Lune respectively. The Leigh V Northwich game was called off.
 
Lymm 12-8 Wilmslow  (Report courtesy of the Lymm web-site)
Lymm enjoyed an entire calendar season unbeaten at home with a hard fought win over near neighbours Wilmslow. With Northwich unable to play Lymm now have a 6 point cushion at the top of North 1 West. Despite the records and stats ,this win was no cake walk, with the visitors coming as close as any to taking the points.
On a positive note though the Lymm defence, again, held firm and, despite missing players still looked the better team in long parts of the game. Rotation was in force again. Swetman and Fletcher swapped places. Adam Cox and Lee Pickles were unavailable, allowing veterans Broadbent and Millachip the chance to start. Kinsey benched himself.
The youthful visitors started brightly. Capitalising on poor handling in midfield impressive scrum half, Mulchrone, despatched Kennedy for the first score on 4 mins. 0-5. A lacklustre performance from Lymm, with too many handling errors and panicked decisions, threatened a shock defeat.
The dependable boot of Knowles, on 16 and 40 mins gave the hosts some way back. A Wilmslow penalty on 28 made it 6-8 at half time. Oddly , bursts from Tom Hughes had threatened to overwhelm the Wilmslow defence but the pressure failed to turn into points and Lymm seemed to forget this line of attack would be fruitful. 6-8 The fact that the visitors failed to score a point in the second half reflected the solidity of the Lymm defence. Knowles was successful again on 58 and 64 mins, to secure the points. However his most crucial moment of the game came when he gathered the opposing winger from a cross kick to prevent a certain try. Match winning defence, absolutely. Title winning defence, possibly! Knowles is now the league’s highest points scorer and seems to be enjoying his Rugby at this level. Having had more clubs than Tiger Woods in recent seasons he seems settled and has become a real asset to the club. 12-8

Aspatria 0-32 Altrincham Kersal
A good win for Kersal as Aspatria are a good scrummaging side but not particulary disciplined. A winter chill pervaded Bower Park both on an off the pitch.  For the second week running Aspatria were in contention up to the 50 minute mark but then collapsed to a heavy defeat. Aspatria were near full strength for this league clash and were looking to regain some pride against an Altrincham side that earlier in the season had beaten them by 80 plus points.  The home side got off to a bright start and might have seen an early lead when fly half, Jack Clegg chipped behind the Altrincham defence for winger, Lee Tinnion to chase the ball.  A score looked a formality but the referee brought play back, adjudging that Tinnion was marginally ahead of the kicker. The games first score came on 11 minutes and went to the visitors.  Altrincham attacked from their own half and showed good composure to break down the Aspatria defence for the opening try which was unconverted.  Despite this set back, Aspatria, at times, looked the more likely side and pressurised the visitor’s line for long periods.  Unfortunately, the Black Reds are lacking an out an out strike runner and could not turn pressure into points. As the first half petered out, Altrincham came back strongly but Aspatria held out and at the interval were only 5 points adrift, with every hope of a second home win of the season.

The second half started with each side having opportunities to score but both were let down by some poor decision making when better options were available.  Then Aspatria’s moment of disaster.  On 53 minutes, yet again an Aspatria player walked to the bin.  This time it was second rower, Norman Reilly guilty of over aggressive play.  The script hasn’t changed all season and true to form this proved to be turning point of the game.  Almost immediately, Altrincham scored and a demoralised Aspatria sensed the inevitable.  Once the ice was broken the visitors scored at regular intervals.  A total of 5 tries in the second half to record a 32 nil defeat on Aspatria.  

Leigh PP Northwich

Liverpool St Helens 33-12 New Brighton 
Liverpool St Helens stunned their Merseyside rivals in this North One West clash with a blistering first half performance. Four unanswered tries, all converted, left New Brighton reeling at the interval, although to their great credit, they fought back strongly in the second half. LSH had the perfect start in the first minute when full back Ian Stanley started and finished a move covering 80 metres, helped along the way by flanker Danny Higham and winger Dave Bailey. Fifteen minutes later a good break by stand-off Simon Worsley was continued by Paul Bamber for Greg Smith to race over for the second try. Higham, outstanding throughout, notched the third try in the 22^nd minute, after collecting a neat reverse pass from Martin Gambles and just before the break Worsley ran on to a well judged kick over the Brighton defence from young winger Chris Harvey, for the fourth, converted by Smith to make it 28-0.

In a much more even second half Higham extended the lead with his second try after 58 minutes following good work again from Harvey before the visitors made their presence felt with deserved scores from flanker Kieran Hibbs and centre Vinnie Dutton. Dutton added a conversion.  

Broughton Park 31-30 Tyldesley
Close call for Park against a resurgent Tyldesley side that looked the better side for much of the game. In the event Tyldesley scored a late try needing the conversion to win the day. It missed and it was heartbreak time again. Broughton Park were on top during early exchanges and O'Brien kicked a penalty that was answered by Tyldesleys Worsefold. Another penalty by OBrien was followed by two tries by Park in quick succession both of which O'Brien converted. A heavy defeat looked on the card at this stage but Park did not capitalise on their position and Tyldesley came back into the game with an unconverted Crampton try wide out. This was followed by a Worsefold score that he converted himself to give a half time score of 20-15 to Park, but with Tydesley finishing the half the stronger.

Worsefold and O'Brien exchanged penalties early in the second half. Tyldesley went ahead after scrum half Soulsby took a tap penalty 15 metres out and got across the line by the skin of his teeth. Worsefold converted 23-25. Back came Park with an O'Brien penalty to restore a narrow lead and then Park capitalised on a Tyldesley error to score a try wide out. O'Brien was unable to convert-goodness he missed one! 31-25. With the game reaching its final period Tyldesley scored after their pack took a Park scrum and the Tyldesley lock Cartwright thundered over in the corner after a Crampton feed. 31-30 with the conversion to come. Back at the start of the season Park had exactly the same situation against Tyldesley at St Georges Park and converted their chance to win by a single point. There was no such fortune for Tyldesley however and the game was lost once again. Tyldesley will reflect upon conceding 20 points in one short first half period, where concentration lapsed. Good game and another nail biter for the Park faithful.

Burnage 28-7 Sandbach
The first return fixture of North 1 West brought Sandbach to Varley Park. They came with a good winning record and a lofty third place in the league table, but Burnage fancied their chances after a string of good performances. Whilst Mike Filson started at fullback, Andy O'Sullivan replaced Chris Keane in the front row and Jonny Scholes resumed at scrum half. Sandbach were missing a couple of players from the first meeting between the two teams back in September.
Burnage looked strong in the set piece and had the better of the early exchanges. The forwards gave a solid platform and the backs put the ball into the right areas of the field. Filson proved to be a smart, steadying influence at the back and used his left boot to good effect. Having established territorial advantage, Burnage were then able to move the ball through the hands. Adam Blaney picked a great line to slice through in Sandbach's 22 for a try beside the posts, easily converted.
Try of the day went to Nick Scholes who got on the end of a Stuart Oldham break and ignored his brother in support to sprint over, touching down beside the posts with an 'interesting' swan dive. 14-0.
Work on the training field was paying off. Jonny Scholes controlled the ball well and organised some effective slow ball plays around the fringes, Jim Williams and Phil Edge carrying particularly well to keep Sandbach on the back foot. With this threat through the middle and Blaney causing trouble wider in midfield, Sandbach's defence sat off Jennings who wriggled past a couple to score and add the conversion. Andy O'Sullivan looked destined to score on another charge to the line but was reeled in by the defence; Andy Ascroft hit a perfect line to power through the middle at the end of the half but again Sandbach's cover defence saved them. 21-0 at half time.
The second half was a more muted affair. Burnage played a little less rugby, preferring territory instead. Sandbach looked unlikely to score from deep and the game looked destined to finish in anticlimax. Some bright moments came with ball in hand though: Edge made another nice break and offload through the middle; Jim Williams looked as comfortable slicing through the centres as he does anchoring the scrum, and Nick Scholes had another charge down the left flank. It was left to man of the match Blaney to create the next score though, again finding space and accelerating towards the posts before offloading yards short to centre partner and skipper Stuart Oldham for another converted try. Burnage were then yellow carded for a technical offense at the breakdown and Sandbach came back into the game. Without any hope of winning the game they remained determined and committed. A series of penalties brought Sandbach into the Burnage 22 and for 5 minutes the home side defended strongly. They couldn't quite hold out though and Willy Stockdale rumbled over to give his Sandbach team a deserved try to round off the match.
 
Blackburn 7-42 Vale of Lune
Vale of Lune captain, Lee Acton scored two tries and inspired his team to a 42-7 victory at Blackburn on Saturday.  The win was a great boost for Vale and helped lift the side after some recent disappointing defeats.  Fraser Spavin gave his skipper great support and helped himself to a couple of tries as well, while Ian Bird had a storming game in the centre and scored a try himself.  He was later replaced by newcomer Michael Stevens who not only showed great promise but also scored his side’s final try. James Hodder who had a fine game at fullback kicked three conversions and two penalties.
 
Next week, AK entertain Blackburn, and Lymm go to New Brighton who are without their captain Kati who has a broken arm according to reports. Liverpool St Helens go to Northwich, Sandbach are at home to Leigh and Tyldesley welcome Burnage. Vale of Lune are at home to Broughton Park and Aspatria have the long trip to Sandbach to look forward to.

Games on Saturday December 5th 2009
The half way mark was reached and there is still little to choose between the pack that are chasing Lymm. A tight game at Northwich; Lymm go charging on; Wilmslow & Burnage with big wins at LSH and New Brighton respectively. Aspatria lose against relegation rivals Tyldesley.

Northwich 10-9 Broughton Park
2 points separated these teams before the kick-off. It was Northwich however, who registered their seventh straight win against a valiant Broughton Park outfit at Moss Farm. Two tries to three penalties kept Northwich's promotion aspirations alive. This was a nail biting, pulsating game during which Northwich were pushed all the way to the finish but in the final analysis it was the home side's forward defensive performance which earned them a tight victory. Broughton full back Ronan O'Brien kicked three fine penalties to keep his team in contention and, late in the second half, his very long range penalty attempt could have snatched the spoils. As it was, it just fell short, and further frantic defence from Northwich captain Rick Smith and his fellow forwards saw the home side take the points.

Several absentees on the day, with Park missing half back Kinsella and tight head prop Guy Barlow from last weeks side. Northwich were missing suspended No 8 Graham Robinson, injured speedster Joel Barber and unavailable Mike Gallimore. Colt Robin Houghton took the number 9 shirt for the home side and ably demonstrated the depths of talent at Moss Farm. O'Brien kicked two first half penalties to cancel out a classic Northwich backs try finished off by Adam Bown. A trademark Northwich try this season, playing 15 man rugby. Muntean was off form with the boot all afternoon however.  The Northwich side had looked a class apart for much of the first session with Chubb being pulled down a metre short after a good backs move and then a glaring, missed opportunity when, of all people, Jamie Miritana joined the line as overlap man but, with space to spare, couldn't hang on to the final pass. Northwich missed a couple of penalties but, after 38 minutes, Northwich prop John Brotherton had to leave the fray with a nasty wound over the eye that required a long row of stitches at the local "A&E" and the home side trailed 5-6 at the break.

Broughton Park's pack came alive and dominated most of the second half play with their scrum clearly in the ascendency. Northwich's back line were dangerous when they got hands on the ball and a superb break from Northwich captain Smith from deep in his own half was only partially stopped by the Park backs and his offload set up Andy Chubb for a try. Replacement prop, Carl Senior assumed the kicking duties but like Muntean his kicking radar was off beam on the day.  In contrast, Park's ever reliable O'Brien kicked his third penalty and the Hough End outfit sniffed victory with the score 10-9 and 20 mins to play. Wave after wave of Park forward attacks were repulsed by the Northwich defenders and the game ended with Park camped on the Northwich 5m line.

At the clubhouse post mortem the debate centred on whether Park should have gone for the drop goal option after so much 2nd half pressure & whether 2 conversion and 5 penalty misses by Northwich could cost them dear on another day.

Liverpool St Helens 20-35 Wilmslow
It would be wrong to say that this result was a shock as Wilmslow have had some impressive successes this season, but both sets of connections agreed that their win at Moss Lane was well deserved. LSH's scribe, John Williams writes : Liverpool St Helens lost out in this North One West clash against a youthful and well organised Wilmslow side. They failed to sparkle in any department of the game and were particularly punished by the Cheshire side’s sprightly back division.

Unquestionably on the receiving end of countless refereeing howlers including two innocuous yellow cards either side of half time, LSH did not help themselves with disjointed possession and some poor tackling. Wilmslow, on the other hand, made the most of everything that came their way. In a stop-start first half Wilmslow went in front with a Bob MacCallum penalty before a try from winger Ian Stanley, converted by Greg Smith, edged LSH ahead.  The visitors then regained the lead with a try from impressive flanker James Partington and two penalties from MacCallum for a 16-7 lead at half time.

LSH went further behind to a try from winger Callum Manton, who had caused problems for LSH all afternoon, before enjoying a good fifteen minute spell. This brought a try from skipper Phil Kearns off the back of a scrum and two penalties from Smith, leaving just three points between the sides with fifteen minutes to go. Despite strong pressure LSH failed to score again before the visitors pulled away in the last few minutes with two more tries, another from Partington and one from winger Jordan Kennedy.

New Brighton 20-31 Burnage
Burnage made the closing stages of this 5 try victory tougher than they needed to be but still fully deserved the two points on offer.
New Brighton's pitch was in perfect condition, allowing for plenty of running rugby from both sides. Wayne Morris returned at scrum half, Andy Ascroft replaced injured Kornecki on the wing with Spratling, Filson and Andy O'Sullivan stepping up to the bench. New Brighton may have had absences of their own: their second XV were unable to honour their fixture against the Burnage 2s.
New Brighton were the first to score, despite Burnage's early pressure. A break wide out gave them field position and from there they showed their prowess carrying around the fringes to force their way over for a five point lead.
Burnage fought back well though and a familiar catch a drive powered over the line. Wayne Morris sat in the driver's seat and got his hands on the ball to score. Adam Knight converted well to give his side the lead. He narrowly missed with a penalty attempt minutes later but was to play a pivotal part in the try of the day shortly after. Nigel Johnston retrieved a kick, sensed an overlap and came infield from the right. Knight took his pass and, under pressure, flicked it between his legs to continue the move. By the time it reached Stuart Oldham there was daylight in front of him and he went 40 yards down the left flank. As the defence hauled him in yards short of the line he offloaded to Adam Blaney who cantered in to touch down under the posts. 5-14.
Burnage were in the ascendency and looked the better team all over the park at this stage. Oli Hewitt then went over to score the first of his hattrick with an excellent individual score. From the base of the solid scrum he broke the initial tackles, strode clear before handing off the cover, rounding the fullback and carrying a couple of defenders over the line with him. 5-19 at half time.
New Brighton played with more intensity in the second half, instigated by their scrum half who brought players around him into the game. They took an easy three points on offer to reduce the arrears but Burnage still looked more likely to score from distance. Ascroft went 40 yards down the right wing before a smart chip ahead resulted in Burnage being awarded a 5 metre scrum. Oli Hewitt barged over for his second score from the base. The tricky conversion went wide but Hewitt was soon back on the score sheet as he counterattacked at a ruck, gathered the loose ball and ran in unchallenged from thirty yards. The simple conversion completed the Burnage tally at 31.
New Brighton began to chase the game and Burnage started to concede penalties without always knowing why. An excellent cross kick gifted the home right winger for a well converted score before some disorganised Burnage defence allowed New Brighton another seven pointer off the back of a scrum. Burnage struggled to get much ball in this period and will be upset that they didn't assert themselves in the final quarter. However, no penalties conceded for offside, a marked improvement on the LSH performance recently, and they held on to run out comfortable winners for two valuable league points. * Report courtesy Burnage RUFC

Sandbach 41-3 Blackburn
A clear cut win for the Sandbach lads who reach the league half way point in third spot but just a couple of points away from the play-off places. Sandbach are impressive in winning on both heavy and firmer grounds and, while just a point in front of LSH & AK, they will feel able to beat the best on their day.

Leigh 5-22 Lymm (courtesy Lymm scribe).
Lymm notched another win in their 3rd consecutive away fixture. Significantly they can reflect on three hard games against powerful packs in wet conditions. To notch 3 wins, having conceded three tries in total, is evidence of superb defence and dogged determination.
The game was very much one of 2 halves. Lymm were simply outstanding in the first 40 mins.
A try from Dave Williamson on 2 mins encapsulated Lymm’s attacking ability. Hughes took contact, released Knowles who found winger Williamson who scored in the corner. In wet conditions the handling was truly impressive. Similarly on 7 mins. A 3rd phase move allowed Lee Pickles to set his man at first receiver, not bad for a second row, and man of the match Ian Cullinane scored his first try for Lymm. Knowles slotted one of these conversions. 12-0. Chris Griffiths went over on 23 minutes after more extravagant skill from Knowles, who again was successful with the kick. 0-19

Leigh enjoyed a fine second half and kept the pressure on the league leaders. A try after just 24 seconds of the restart from their rampaging 8 suggested they could upset the form book. 5-19. A penalty on 60 min from Knowles kept the scoring distance, 5-22 and the game petered out as the pitch become tougher and tougher to play on.

Tyldesley 42-Aspatria 16
A good contest at St Georges Park and a total of 58 points to cheer. Tyldesley coming out on top of a good spectator match. Tyldesley gave away two penalties in the first two minutes the second of which was converted by Aspatria fly half Clegg. Tyldesley no.10 Worsfold then levelled the scores with 9 minutes played when he converted his first 3 of 22 points for the afternoon. Three minutes later Tyldesley were behind again when Clegg converted his second penalty. On 16 minutes and after a scuffle both sides lost a player to the sin bin and it was the hosts who came through the 10 minute period the better when they scored the first try of the afternoon. A penalty was kicked to within 5 metres of the Aspatria line and it was Bishop who emerged with the ball following a rolling maul from the pack. Worsfold's touchline conversion extended Tyldesley's lead.
Tyldesley were looking the most threatening they have been this season with ball in hand and were unlucky not to extend their lead when Paine was held just short. The two fly halfs then exchanged penalties within the last five minutes of the half to see Tyldesley go into the break with a 4 point lead.
 
H/T Tyldesley 13 - 9 Aspatria
It was important for both sides to make a good start to the second period. Tyldesley had just 7 minutes to wait. From a line out the ball was moved wide where full back Wilcock broke through the defence and offloaded to Fisher who drew the defence and passed back inside to Worsfold who scored under the posts. Worsfold converted his own try to push Tyldesley to 20 points with only 7 minutes of the half played. It was Worsfold who extended the lead further on 58 minutes when he struck a sweet 30 metre drop goal, this after Dickinsons deep kick was followed by yet another line out steal by the impressive Tom Boyle. Tyldesley pretty much sealed victory 3 minutes later and from the unlikeliest of sources. From just outside the Aspatria 22 John Fisher, who capped a fine return to form, stepped through the defence and although there was a great last ditch tackle from the full back, there was an unexpected call of "FISH" on his outside and the mighty Ox raced, nay plodded, onto the ball from all of two feet to score his first Tyldesley try and his first ever try in senior rugby. Worsfold's conversion put the game beyond the visitors.
 The home side then picked up the pace and Wilcock scored a great individual try when he outpaced the defence with a kick and chase. Worsfold missed his only kick of the afternoon as he just failed with the touchline conversion. With 5 minutes to play and Aspatria throwing everything at Tyldesley a pass from the visitors went to ground and it was Stuart Crampton who reacted quickest and he hacked the ball through from 70 metres to score his first Tyldesley try by the posts. Worsfold converted to complete Tyldesley's scoring.
Perhaps it was stungpride that spurred Aspatria to one last effort in the dying minutes. Excellent work by winger Walter Cloete saw him get to within a metre of the home line before offloading to prop Graham Andrews who thundered over from two feet. Clegg converted well from the touchline to conclude the scoring.
Postscript: With two props scoring running tries, one for each side, the front row union must have been ecstatic in the post match bar debate.

Vale of Lune 3-19 Altrincham Kersal
Little to be found about this match at the time of filing this report. The effect on league position however could be far reaching. With Tyldesley beating Aspatria elsewhere, Vale could find themselves joining Blackburn and Aspatria in the relegation zone without a result or two.

Half way Mark
 Interesting to reflect upon the various permutations after half of the fixtures have been fullfilled. Comparison with last season's final table for North One West offers some guidance perhaps. See below.

Rochdale and Rossendale have gone on to better places but Rossendale lost 7 games last season and still gained a play-off place. There were just 22 games last season whereas we are playing 26 this time around. Rochdale were champions despite losing 5 games.  Difficult to see Lymm losing 5 this term even with the extra 4 matches. Our leaders were going strong towards the end of last season and just missed that play-off spot. They surely will not slip up this time. Lymm predicted as champs therefore -no brainer. The strugglers would need to win 8 out of 22 to stand any chance of avoiding the drop on last terms evidence but it looks as if Tyldesley and Vale of Lune will fight for the right to avoid 3rd from bottom place. That would mean one of these winning say 5 more matches from 13 remaining.  It is interesting to see that LSH, Northwich & Sandbach were in the bottom 4 at the end of last season but are in the top 4 at this stage of the season. 

Blackburn and Aspatria have shipped a lot of points this time around and points difference of circa 340/350 does not bode well. Tyldesley and Vale have a difference within the range  100 to 110 or more and both are still well within touch of the mid-table pack.

Interesting position re runners up.  Assuming that perhaps 40 points needed to finish second the Wilmslow in seventh place currently could make the play-off place and all above them. If however 38 points was to be the runner-up target then any of the top 10 can reach 2nd place

 Forecast ---- Lymm will drop no more than 4 more points and coast home with 46 points in becoming our champs.

               -----Blackburn and Aspatria will go down and will be joined by  Vale of Lune.

               -----Runners up will need to get 39 points or more.

Games on Saturday November 28th 2009

Round 12 of the 26 match league season. Lymm won by a single score at Burnage, Northwich came away with the points from bottom placed Blackburn and Aspatria went very close to beating Sandbach in Cumbria. Elsewhere LSH, Kersal and Broughton Park won difficult fixtures comfortably. Wilmslow saw off the Vale of Lune threat with room to spare.

Altrincham Kersal 34-10 Tyldesley AK got back to winning ways with a good win over recently improving Tyldesley at Stelfox avenue. Kersal took the lead after a Worsfold chip over the top of the oncoming fly half was clawed down for a converted try with only 5 mins on the clock. Worsfold himself converted a penalty 3 minutes later but Kersal reclaimed a seven point lead when Tyldesley were penalised for hands in the ruck. The home side then extended their lead with a well worked but unconverted try on 18 minutes before Tyldesley had a strong pereiod of play but without scoring. As so often happens some stout defence when under pressure results in that pressure being eased and success at the other end. A score for AK came just before the HT whistle when a catch and drive off a line-out was converted -against the run of play perhaps - but the AK defence will claim that it was just reward.
H/T Altrincham Kersal 22 - 3 Tyldesley
Kersal extended their lead with 11 second half minutes played when they created an overlap for their fourth try. Tyldesley continued to battle and put together another strong period of play and this time trhey were rewarded when Worsfold stepped through the defence and offloaded to Pulman who crossed to the left of the posts for a try converted by Worsfold.
Although there were still 20 minutes remaining the score turned out to be no more than consolation as Kersal scored their final try with 10 minutes to play to secure victory.

Aspatria 22-29 Sandbach
Agonisingly close for Aspatria against Sandbach, but a familiar end-result as the South Cheshire club took the points back from Cumbria. Against the run of play it was Aspatria who opened the scoring on their first visit into Sandbach territory. On 8 minutes, Steven Stoddart launched a mighty kick, the first of many excellent clearance kicks from the full back. The ball went out on the visitors 22 giving them the throw but the line out was poorly executed, allowing the Black Reds to regain possession. The ball squirted back to scrum half, Heinie Jonker who outwitted the defence with a blind side run, to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and Aspatria now had the upper hand and continued to press through pack power. There were excellent runs from No8, David Humes and his fellow back rowers, Mark Beverley and Jacques Rowe. The pressure eventually told on 18 minutes when the lead was increased to 8:0 through a Stoddart penalty.

The Bower park pitch was wet and heavy. Sandbach were seeing plenty of the ball but their styrength is in their runners and Aspatria pulled them back time and again. On 25 minutes the game turned as at other times this season on a momemt of indiscipline by the Aspatria side and Adam Birkett was off for 10 minutes. The resultant penalty by stand-off, Cargill, allowed Sandbach to post a welcome 3 points. With a man short the Aspatria scrum suffered and Sandbach found possession easier to come by. Sandbach then scored a try on 35 minutes when prop Jonny Stanway became the overlap man and ran in a rare try after a 20 metre run (that apparently stretched to 35 yards in the Sandbach changing room & probably 50 by the time the bus arrived back in Cheshire)..
Another penalty to Sandbach & Cargill had an easy kick to put them ahead for the first time in the game with the HT whistle just 4 minutes away Sandbach then stunned the home supporters with yuet another try to close the half, winger Murray looked well covered but he managed to evade two tacklers to go in at the corner to provide the visitors with an 8:16 interval lead.

Stoddart missed a penalty for Aspatria but seven minutes into the half, Aspatria scored through Jonker after a fine forward drive. Stoddart kicked the extras to bring the score line back to 15:16. Further penalties against Aspatria and Cargill put two of them over to get Sandbach back to 15-22.Jack Clegg, playing at stand-off for the first time this season tormented the defence with some clever chip kicks. On 34 minutes one of these kicks might have brought Aspatria back into the game. The ball was inch perfect into the dead-ball area; Stoddard was bearing down for the score but was beaten to it On 36 minutes it was Sandbach winger Murray who exploited a tiring defence to register his second score that was improved from the touchline by Cargill.

The game was just about over but the Black Reds finished with a flourish. With a minute remaining, Clegg chipped a ball over the defence, centre Ricky Holliday read the situation well, ran onto the ball and crashed over the line to provide the final score line 22:29. Overall, Sandbach just about deserved the win but Aspatria will be frustrated that despite testing yet another top side they still have only one win from twelve games and face an uphill struggle for league survival.

Blackburn 0-18 Northwich
After 35 minutes there was no score on a cold, sunny and windless afternoon at Blackburn. A Muntean penalty and an unconverted try by Chris Dale saw the away side 8-0 up at half time. Probably just reward for their territorial advantage but not Northwich at their incise best. However, it was a day when passes were not going to hand and high kicks were spilt by the "blacks" for whom James Underhill, the young colt, retained his place at stand-off. Northwich then introduced more weight from the bench and the pack started to gain the upper hand in the tight. A drive by the advancing forwards and a little bit of Gallimore sleight of hand and the scrum-half was over. Muntean converted but this was no signal for a flood of points and Muntean added just one more penalty to complete the scoring. Northwich welcome Broughton Park to Moss Farm next Saturday and will hope to roll out a more inspirational performance.

Broughton Park 21-8 New Brighton
A good win for Park who were too good on the day for New Brighton who often travel badly.

Burnage 12-15 Lymm.
Lymm took the points in a hard fought win over league new comers Burnage. Lymm had key players missing in the scrum and a makeshift 2nd row. A day when they would have to rely upon hard graft and experience if they were to keep their winning run going. Burnage scored on 12 mins after a Lymm infringement was punished then, when Lymm did not retreat 10m the Burnage 9 Jonny Scholes burrowed over. 5-0 to the home side.
Lymm refused to change their ultimate game plan, looking to move the ball through their backs to the pacey wingers. This policy paid dividends as an arm wrestle in contact would surely have played into Burnage’s hands. A superb try on 18 mins from Joe Knowles encapsulates the Lymm philosophy. Swetman broke the tackle in midfield and released man of the match Johnstone, who sprinted past his defending winger, found Knowles who flew over. 5-5.
Similarly on 33 mins a thundering Hughes , “match winning “ tackle in midfield led to turnover ball for Lymm. The impressive 9 Griffiths dashed away from the ruck and found Johnstone who went over. 10-5.
On 40 mins more threat from the right wing as Lymm notched a try of the season contender. Johnstone chipped over the defence, collected the ball and outrageously offloaded to Knowles. His perfect pass found Hughes who scored. 15-5 . HT 5-15
A Burnage try on 47 from a rolling maul was improved by Adam Knight to make the score 12-15. The Lymm’s try line defence was tested time and again in a good period of play from Burnage. It held out and Lymm should have increased the lead on 64 but a Knowles penalty went wide.
Burnage will beat most teams in these conditions and are surely better than mid table.Lymm on the other hand can reflect on 2 wins against 2 forward dominant sides in successive weeks. Yes they have conceded 2 tries from rolling mauls but have also scored 5 outstanding tries from the backs in trying conditions.

Liverpool St Helens 25-3 Leigh
Liverpool St Helens made the most of home advantage after heavy rain had forced the switch of this North One West fixture from Round Ash Park to Moss Lane. With both clubs deserving much credit for the hasty rearrangements, LSH proved to be stronger and quicker than their rivals running in four unanswered tries for a convincing win. On a day when centre Dave Cunliffe stole the show with two tries and a power packed display it was the defensive qualities of the entire LSH team that set the foundation for success. Leigh, well organised at the set piece and with a hardworking pack, enjoyed plenty of possession but found no way through all afternoon.

After an even first quarter LSH went ahead with a try from full back Greg Smith in receipt of a fine long pass from Simon Worsley. Leigh replied with a penalty from Terry Knapman on the half hour mark, before Cunliffe finished off a flowing cross-field move to score in the 35^th minute. Cruelly for the visitors, LSH scored again just before the interval through scrum half Martin Gambles after an excellent break from winger John Pape, Worsley converting. Leigh continued to press in the second half but Worsley added a drop goal and Cunliffe roared through to score his second try as LSH comfortably extended their lead.

Wilmslow 24-0 Vale of Lune
ICE cool Bob MacCallum kicked Wilmslow to victory over Vale of Lune and set up Saturday’s key encounter at high-flying Liverpool St Helens.

MacCallum’s 14 out of 24 points was the icing on the cake for a Wilmslow side celebrating a long-awaited return to form. The Wolves played a waiting game with their Lancashire visitors, diluting their frustration with patience during a first half in which they did everything but cross the line. (They did once, but the referee ruled crossing before full back James Conville touched down). They settled instead for three MacCallum penalties and deservedly turned around 9-0 ahead at half time. The young Wolves’ maturity paid off in spades in a second half which they dominated up front and things started to click in the back line. Scrum half Charlie Mulchrone launched the second period – literally – with a trademark flying catch at the restart and a drive into Vale territory. Vale knocked on in loose play and Mulchrone combined with No.8 Ryan Parkinson to put winger Jordan Kennendy in for a short side try wide out which MacCallum converted majestically on 44 mins.

It was Vale’s turn to feel the frustration, which boiled over on the hour when their lock forward and skipper Lee Acton was sin binned for 10 minutes for foul play. The Wolves capitalised quickly with MacCallum kicking from midfield to the corner. Skipper Mike Clifford served up sweet lineout possession and a hard drive for the line. The ball was swept wide, full back Conville charged into the line and over the whitewash for a try on his home debut.

The restart saw Wilmslow, now firing on all cylinders, sweep straight back into the Vale 22 with a display of quicksilver passing and audacious running lines that had the crowd roaring for more. A good win for Wilmslow and they go to LSH next week with great anticipation and much confidence.

Next week is the last fixture of the first half of the season. Time to reflect upon what it will take to haul Lymm back into the "pelaton" and how many points it will take for the strugglers to getout of jail.

Games on Saturday November 21st 2009

LSH drew with visitors Burnage in the only game played in the division this weekend. No matter who’s version you read they agree that this was a point lost by each or both sides. The turning point seems to have been the red card given against Burnage hooker O'Sullivan 5 minutes after the break. However Burnage played with a strong wind advantage in the first half and went 20-3 in the lead but a crucial LSH try by their winger and speedster Ian Stanley on the stroke of half time, and still against the elements, was critical. The reports are attached.

Liverpool St Helens 20 Burnage 20
LSH Report
Both sides were left wondering if this was a point won or a point lost in a stirring encounter at Moss Lane. Burnage totally dominated the initial proceedings with a dominant pack and a wind advantage to score close range tries through John Scholes and Pete O’Sullivan in the first fifteen minutes. Greg Smith pulled a penalty back for LSH before Stu Oldham added a third try for the visitors on the half hour mark. Sam Jennings dropped a goal three minutes from half time to give Burnage a 20-3 lead. LSH then called called upon all their fighting spirit to claw themselves back into the game crucially grabbing a try from winger Ian Stanley on the stroke of half time. Five minutes into the second half Burnage hooker O’Sullivan was red carded for gouging and from then on, LSH were in complete charge. Penalties in the 46th, 57th and 65th minutes from Smith’s trusty boot took LSH to within three points of their visitors but a combination of a determined defence and some poor attacking options led to a final Smith penalty in the 78th minute which levelled the game. A point lost or a point won? Neither side could complain about the outcome. They had produced a highly entertaining game in difficult conditions with a draw a very fair result.

Burnage Report
Burnage share the points with LSH but feel disappointed not to have won this away encounter in St Helens. Jonny and Nick Scholes returned to the starting line up along with captain Stuart Oldham and his right hand man Ralph Lawson. Andy Ascroft came in on the right wing whilst Adam Knight switched to fullback for the rescheduled league fixture against Liverpool St Helens, yet another of the big names from the amateur era playing in North 1 West.
Burnage started with the huge wind at their backs and set the tone immediately by playing deep in LSH territory. The visitors lost a couple of early lineouts before hitting their stride to establish a forward dominance which LSH would struggle to overcome. Burnage's strength was most apparent at the scrum, where they won their own ball with ease and caused their hosts huge difficulty on their own put-in. An Oli Hewitt charge from the back of one such set-piece went to within 5 yards of the line, one more forward carry edged Burnage even closer before Jonny Scholes burrowed over to score an unconverted try in his usual fashion.
One deep kick later LSH were running the ball back out of their own quarter. Stuart Oldham, who tackled like a man possessed all afternoon, caught his man and forced a penalty for holding on. Burnage kicked to the corner and formed an unstoppable rolling maul which propelled Peter O'Sullivan over the line to score. Adam Knight added the extras to give Burnage a 12 point lead.
They were soon back in a similar position but were penalised for a 'truck and trailer' as they reset the rolling maul after a good lineout catch. LSH cleared their lines as best they could into the wind but Burnage won the ball back and got back on the attack. A slow ruck in the LSH 22 gave the Burnage backs some innocuous ball but Stuart Oldham added all the impetus, cutting back inside, skirting round the pack before squeezing in at the left corner to score. 17 nil to Burnage.
Burnage were then guilty of overplaying slightly, keeping the ball in the forwards for one phase too long rather than using the wind to clear their lines at the first opportunity. They were penalised at a breakdown and the impressive boot of the LSH fullback clawed back 3 points. The hosts then enjoyed a good five minute period but Burnage defended well. Adam Blaney made one vital cover tackle before a penalty allowed them to clear their lines. Back in LSH territory and with a penalty advantage, Jennings put a drop goal over to restore Burnage's 17 point lead.
With two minutes of the half to play Burnage let their guard down. A good LSH kick off gave them possession back in Burnage territory, a back row break sucked in the defence before the previously well-shackled outside centre broke another tackle and moved the ball on for the right winger to score. Credit to LSH for taking their opportunity but Burnage will rue their lackadaisical finish to the first half which finished 8-20.
Burnage knew they had a big task ahead of them but with their dominance upfront they stood a good chance of securing enough possession to maintain their lead. LSH unsurprisingly kicked deep at every opportunity and it was deep in the Burnage half where the game's key moment took place. A skirmish on the right hand side saw a couple of blows exchanged before the referee blew up. Peter O'Sullivan was singled out and remarkably given a red card for gouging. Gouging has no place in our game and Burnage most certainly don't condone it. If this is what the referee saw then he had no choice than to award a red card. However, gouging in the middle of a one-on-one fracas with both forwards facing each other, unheld and on their feet? Unlikely.
As it was though, Burnage's pack were reduced to 7 men, Phil Edge's strong display was cut short to allow Martin Vernon to fulfil the front row duties and LSH knocked over the penalty to bring the score back to 11-20.
If Burnage were going to get anything out of the game they were going to have to tackle themselves to a standstill. LSH mixed their game up, kicking for territory, then playing a direct running game in the middle areas and moving the ball wide when in scoring positions. Burnage's defence remained resolute though. However, they began to concede crucial penalties, most often for offside in midfield, which the reliable LSH kicker began to pick off. Two scores in close succession brought the scores to 17-20. Burnage struggled with the interpretation here but their persistence was foolish.
With ten minutes remaining they began to get a little more possession. A good Jonny Scholes break moved play upfield, Adam Blaney broke through down the right shortly after and the team briefly showed that they were still a threat with ball in hand. LSH played maturely though, defended well and kicked upfield when they were given the chance. They chased well and one hack through rolled dead seconds before the chasing players could touch down to score. Back in Burnage territory now, LSH were now awarded another penalty, yet again for offside although the LSH scrum half seemed to have taken the ball from the breakdown and dummied a pass before anyone from Burnage started their press. The penalty to tie the scores was successful, leaving a deflated Burnage team to grind out the final plays and finsh the game with a draw.
On paper this is a good result for Burnage. Once you take into account that the final half hour was played into the wind with 14 men it looks even better but the team are disappointed by their lapse of concentration at the end of the first period and the manner in which they conceded the second half penalties. LSH didn't panic and took their chances but the air of frustration around the Burnage squad after the game suggests they believe they could have taken more out of this match.

Either way this just adds to the constant, and continuing theme that any of the teams below Lymm can get a result from each other. With two more games to play to complete the first half of the season Lymm look odds on to go up as of right. There are just 6 points difference between the following nine teams.

At the lower end Blackburn are yet to get their campaign into credit, Aspatria have 2 points and then there is just 6 points difference between Tyldesley and the 4 teams above them. Tyldesley seem to have some momentum going after a sluggish start to the season so all to play for.

Games on Saturday November 14th 2009

LSH should have been at home to Burnage but the game was postponed on a very wet & windy Saturday afternoon across the region.
Northwich went second after a 36-0 win against Aspatria on the second team pitch. Pride of place to Tyldesley who beat Vale of Lune in a tight encounter 22-20. The Lymm jugernault drives on and Leigh & New Brighton also made good use of the conditions. AK recorded a very good win at Sandbach.

Leaders Lymm entertained Broughton Park who were joint second on points at the kick off. Lymm deservedly won by 18-6. Park' were their hosts' equal for much of the game in midfield but couldn't pierce the resolute Lymm defence. The game started in similarly dreadful conditions to those elsewhere. Heavy rain up until kick-off and then bright overhead, but extremely heavy going underfoot. Lymm might have had concerns about their opponents, who are playing well this season, but the first play of the match settled them down when scrum half Griffiths crossed after the hard work had been done by Higginson who went on to have a cracking game. Knowles added the extras and Lymm were 7-0 up. Knowles took a couple more opportunities with the boot to see the home side finish the half 13-0 in front. After the break Lymm scored quickly again. Pickles and Swetman combining to send the ever ready Higginson over. No conversion but 18-0 ahead with most of the second half to play. Park were matching their hosts in mid field and were passing very well but didn't really threaten the Lymm line. They got close enough for Lymm to concede penalties and the reliable boot of Ronan O'Brien slotted a couple. 18-6 was a fair reflection of the game in the view of both sets of connections. Higginson was the man-of-the-match.
With Tom Hughes sidelined and Alex Gluth having returned to the 34th parallel, Lymm needed to demonstrate that their squad players could step up to the line. On a heavy pitch, against good opponents they did just that.

Tyldesley took the points at home to Vale of Lune by 22-20 to glimpse the lifeline leading to safety ?. Notes courtesy of VOL web-site
For the second week on the trot Vale of Lune lost a game they could, and should have won. The narrow 22-20 defeat in the mud at Tyldesley means the Lancaster club remains fourth from the bottom, but only two points separate them from Saturday’s victors. It was a disappointing defeat because for long periods of the game Vale looked the more inventive and adventurous side, but again they failed to turn possession and presure into points. Tyldesley on the other hand took what opportunities came their way and there is little doubting that they, along with Vale, are much better than their lowly league positions suggest. Vale scored very early in the game, Adam McCluskie seizing on a defensive mistake for an unconverted try. The home side hit back with a try and a penalty and just about deserved their 6-5 interval lead. But when Fergus Owens kicked an early second half penalty, Vale were looking the more dangerous. Twice Alistair Richards looked to be over the line, but instead of diving in for the touch downs he was held up and the the Tyldesley line cleared. Tyldesley hit back with a couple of tries and although Vale replied with tries from Owen Hughes and Sam Wallbank they were unable to converted more pressure into the valuable points they needed. The best chance was when winger Marc Kellet raced away to collected Owens’s accurate kick, but he was judged to be offside.

Altrincham Kersal bounced back after a poor spell by their high standards, and recorded a splendid win at Sandbach who give nothing away at home. The Sandbach connections report that the match was as dull as the weather. AK were ahead 3-0 at half time with a solitary penalty. Kersal then scored a well worked try after the break and duly converted to go 10-0 ahead. A couple of Will Cargill penalties for Sandbach and a further penalty for Kersal completed the scoring. Sandbach will point to "one of those" Cargill drop goals in the first half that might have, or might not have gone over. The ref said "wide". Final score Sandbach 6 - Altrincham Kersal 13.
Kersal will be looking to continue their winning ways after next weeks league break when they entertain improving Tyldesley.

Leigh beat Wilmslow 12-0 on a heavy pitch. Leigh are tough to beat this season especially on their own turf. They didn't disappoint their loyal followers who braved the weather and resisted the temptation to watch England struggle to beat the Pumas. Two early scores did for Wilmslow who put in a much better performance than a week earlier against Tyldesley. Not enough to get back into the game on Leigh's heavy, heavy ground. Coach Giles Heagerty was keen to take the positives out of the match and keep his troops' heads high. Our Wilmslow correspondent, interviewed at a pool side bar in St Lucia, reports that spirits are high once again again at Pownal Park. Leigh welcome LSH in a fortnight and, if they are at full strength, they could run their high flying visitors close.

Aspatria were on the road at Northwich and went back pointless after the home side scored 36 unanswered points to go second in the table. Good day for Northwich colt James Underhill. The youngster was selected to stand-in for Romanian player coach Dodo Muntean. Playing 10 at this level might have fazed a lesser lad but the Cheshire Colt demonstrated a coolness that earned him a resounding ovation when he was replaced deep into the second half. Mike Gallimore for Northwich scored a hat trick of tries on a day when the forwards were fully tested by their Cumbrian counterparts. Northwich were defending for long periods of the first half but Aspatria's forwards did seem to like a prolonged "chat" with the ref and the officials nowadays will punish such backchat with 10 metres or yellow cards. A bit of both resulted and a penalty reverse in front of the home posts was the cruelest punishment. Underhill kicked an early penalty but the usually reliable Stoddart was unable to reply from a similar position and indeed missed a further opportunity later on in the half.
After 30 minutes Gallimore scrambled through for his first try and then a training ground line-out move resulted in skipper Rick Smith crossing for his first try of this campaign. 17-0 at half time and a further 19 points after the break looks like a stroll but that was not the reality. In the event the Northwich centres Chris Dale and Steve Campbell did burst their opponents line and created chances in the second half but Aspatria could just not gain reward for their efforts.
After further Gallimore scores, the final try by winger Adam Bown was possibly the best of the bunch with a weaving run after good work in the centres. Gallimore grabbed the points, and the headlines but McKibbin, Robinson & Miritana in the Northwich back-row kept the sheet clean.
Underhill kicked 3 conversions and a penalty, Richard Dale converted the final try.
After a weeks break, Aspatria receive Sandbach and Northwich travel to Blackburn.

New Brighton entertained Blackburn and won 40-10 on a windswept afternoon on the Wirral. New blood at New Brighton and increased numbers at training have pleased Steve Dorrington. Some decent University players haved signed recently according to reports. NB went ahead early on with two penalties. The first, kicked by Cross and the second, a 50 yarder, given to new boy Luke Thompson. A crash try by Mahon, converted by Thompson, gave the home side a 13-0 lead and Thompson himself scored wide out shortly afterwards. Blackburn were awarded a penalty try for obstruction and the Bleasdale conversion gave Blackburn some hope. Mafi then crossed for NB and just before the break Bleasdale kicked a penalty for the visitors to make the score 23-10 at HT.
After the break Hibbs went over for the home side at a time when they were reduced to 13 men. The score stayed at 28-10 until the last 5 minutes when N. Brighton winger Dutton grabbed a brace of tries, one of which was converted. FT 40-10.
Good new signings by the Blues obviously and, with their talisman Kati to return in a fortnight team selection could be interesting.

So, after round 11, Lymm are looking odds-on favourites to go up. Far too early to make that sort of prediction maybe, but it is difficult to see which three teams might inflict defeats on our leaders (and that is probably what would be the minimum required). Leigh, Broughton Park and New Brighton are capable of winning their home games against Lymm. Remember that Lymm won games at LSH & Kersal only by a single point-on drier pitches? Lymm should however win all of the games at Crouchley Lane with LSH & Northwich possibly running them closest.
At the other end Blackburn & Aspatria will be looking for wins against lighter packs through the Winter to lift them up the table. Tyldesley & Vale of Lune are playing well without much reward. Only LSH have really put Tyldesley to the sword this season and more wins should follow.
Regular readers might like to log on to the Aspatria site and sign up for their " match predictions" for N.1.West league games.

Games on Saturday November 7th 2009

Big match at Broughton Park where the home side had the better of Liverpool St Helens 11-6 in a dour and uninspiring clash according to reports. Although thoroughly outplayed by a hefty Broughton Park pack LSH did not suffer from lack of possession. Despite huge efforts they failed to turn this into points, primarily due to Park's well organised and strong defence. After Greg Smith had slotted an early penalty for LSH, Park took the lead in thirteen minutes when a defensive error led to centre Ben Wilson crossing for a try after a good move along the backs. Ronan O’Brien then added a penalty with Smith replying with one for LSH to leave the home side with a narrow 8-6 lead at half time. O’Brien extended the lead with a further penalty after 52 minutes. LSH then created plenty of chances but failed to make any count. The visitors can consider themselves unlucky in having a try disallowed after a Park knock on behind their try line was touched down by scrum half Martin Gambles. The referee did not allow any advantage and whistled as the "try" was being scored! Justin Harrison for Park came off with a broken nose & Mike Kinsella also left the field with a jaw injury. Park now have the pleasure of a visit to Lymm, a home match against New Brighton and a visit to Northwich to reach the half season point. The prospect of playing these games possibly without Harrison (and maybe Kinsella) will test their strength in depth.

Burnage overcame in-form Leigh 20-13.
Burnage started playing into the strong wind and were put under early pressure by a combative Leigh side. The visitors' lineout looked dominant and a couple of attacking kicks posed an early threat. Burnage weathered the storm though, the lineout improved and they also started to turn Leigh over at the breakdown. Their defence was more organised than in recent weeks and Leigh were restricted to two penalties which their accurate kicker Terry Knapman converted into a 6 point lead. The home side didn't panic and rightly so: they were playing into a ten-point wind and Leigh were struggling to break the defensive line with ball in hand. A Burnage breakout down the left flank gave them good field position and Chris Kornecki went close to scoring. An Adam Knight penalty fell just short and they almost won a race to the line in the right hand corner but it was left to Adam Blaney to score the first try of the day. Sam Donovan picked a great line in midfield and showed an impressive turn of pace to head for the left corner. As the cover defence hauled him down he gave a short pass to Adam Blaney who dived over to score. Knight added a valuable conversion and Burnage took the lead at 7-6. With just a minute of the half remaining Burnage let their guard down. A solid clearance kick from Knapman gave the Leigh right winger the ball in an inoccuous looking position around the half way line. Sloppy tackling allowed him to round a couple of defenders and beat two more stragglers to touch down beneath the posts. The simple conversion left the half time score at 7-13.

Burnage took to the field in the second half with the wind behind them and a clear brief from the half time talk: play in the right areas and build pressure. What followed wasn't perfect, but it was certainly the most mature performance of the season and the first time in weeks that the forwards and backs looked comfortable with each others' game. The backs kicked sensibly but the forward effort deserves greater attention. The scrummage was totally dominant, until Leigh injuries led to uncontested scrums for the last 15 minutes. The lineout's were going Burnages way whoever had the throw the visitors struggled to get the ball beyond the soaring Burnage "2 jumper" Sean Spratling at the front. With this platform, Burnage brought a bit more variety to their midfield, Knight and Blaney creating targets and finding space for their back three players in support. Leigh defended well but Burnage's pressure began to pay off. A 5 metre scrum gave scrum half Morris an opportunity to fool the opposite back row and leave winger Johnston with an opportunity which he finished well, diving in low to score in the right corner. No conversion, leaving Burnage a point behind at 12-13. Not for long though. Leigh, spending most of their time defending now, began to concede penalties and Knight knocked over a pressure kick to give his side the lead. With only a two point buffer Burnage pressed for the next score. Keane went close on numerous occasions; Hewitt, Blaney and Spratling almost powered over but Leigh's defence was admirable. Leigh fed the last scrum of the game with only a two point lead to overhaul. A crosskick on their own line however, was fumbled, Kornecki hacked on and won the race to the line to score for Burnage to complete the scoring.

Wilmslow went down at home to improving Tyldesley 11-31 in the surprise result of the round. Tyldesley have been scoring well in defeat recently and this was their day. The up & down Wilmslow lads dished up a poor performance apparently although they are young enough to respond to their coach's guidance. Two Ian Robert's penalties and a Jordan Kennedy try late in the game was all that the Wilmslow lads had to show for their days work. Mark Dickinson for Tyldesley scored 26 of their 31 points - 3 tries, four conversions and a penalty. Tyldesley host Vale of Lune next week. A win could kick-start their season.

Blackburn were no match for the leaders Lymm, going down 60-0 up on the moors above Blackburn. 10 tries for the leaders and they were coasting apparently despite having key players out. A home win against Broughton Park next week would surely ensure that Lymm enter the second half of the campaign with a decent cushion.

Vale of Lune just about failed to beat Sandbach 11-18. Sandbach are showing remarkable tenacity in closing out narrow victories over the past few weeks. The atrocious weather affected both sides and, whilst the quality of the rugby was questionable, nobody could deny the players did their best in the horrible conditions. For a while it looked as though Vale might snatch victory but two tries in the last 10 minues ensured their Cheshire opponents went home with the points. A fine try by Adam Birchall meant Vale had an 8-3 interval lead and an early Birchall penalty in the second half increased that. But Sandbach hit back with two penalties before Birchall was on target again with a long range kick and Vale were back in the lead. But some careless play, including a knock on, and a missed penalty kick to touch, put Vale under pressure. Sandbach took advantage and their pack powered forward for a try and with Vale hooker Dave Schuyler, yellow carded and off the field, the visitors pressed home their advantage and scored again.
In the end Sandbach deserved their win and they will beat other sides by many more points than this. For Vale it means they now travel to Tyldesley on Saturday knowing that a victory is vital over a side one place below them in the league.

Aspatria lost 16-29 at home against New Brighton who do not always travel well. There is little home data to hand about the game due to our correspondent going off to the Nile-surely an over-reaction to his Aspatria web-site prediction disasters recently. The NB report however is complete and thanks goes to them for these notes. New Brighton opened the scoring with another try from Mahon spinning off the maul similar to the one he scored at Sandbach but with less ground to cover. Neil Cross missed the conversion. Within 3 minutes Aspatria had pulled 3 back from a well taken penalty by their stand off Stoddart, following a rare incursion into the Blues half. The referee was consistent in his interpretation of the laws at the ruck and maul and both sides gave away needless penalties, the Aspatria wing forward Beverley was dispatched to the sin bin following a number of such offences. This led to a resurgence in the home side and they lifted their game to take the lead with two penalties in 5 minutes, Steve Dean replied just before the interval to make it 9 -8 on the turn around. Dean restored the NB lead just after the restart with yet another penalty following an infringement at the ruck. A minute later the Blues were gifted a soft return of kicks from which the Blue back line countered, the ball was spun out to the wing where Luke Thompson was held up just short of the line, the supporting Dutton was quickly in support and carried the ball over the whitewash to crown an impressive return to the team, a well struck conversion from Dean stretched the lead to 9 – 18. Both hookers were yellow carded shortly afterwards following a bit of a melee at the tight and the game was reduced to a series of messy rucks and mauls. The home side continued to leak penalties but the next yellow card went the way of the Blues with Mustafa adjudged to have been holding on at the bottom of a ruck. Now reduced to 13 men the Blues raised their game and the champagne moment of the match arrived with a superbly placed chip from Dean being caught on the run by Luke Thompson who scorched over to extend the lead to 9 -23. In the final 10 minutes Mike Gazzola came off allowing Paul Lewis to drop back to second row, and John Williams came on in the front row. Andy Signal came off allowing Damien Cook to take to the field. New Brighton were in full domination by now and another penalty in the 75th minute stretched the lead to 9 -29. In the final minute the home side, for once opting to trust their backs released the ball early and their left wing showed what might have been with an impressive arcing run into the corner, the conversion ably made by Stoddart. Aspatria are not as bad a side as the record book might indicate, if they can add some discipline to their enthusiasm they may yet avoid the drop. Similarly if New Brighton can reproduce their home form away from the seaside more often, then they will have a great deal to say about the end-of-season placings.

Altrincham Kersal have not had the best of fortune recently and recorded their fourth loss of the campaign at Northwich by 17-8. A pretty game it was not, and Northwich ground out a victory with a gritty second half performance after AK took all the honours in the first half but still only saw a 5-5 HT scoreline. They deserved more.
Northwich started with a readjusted side after scrum half Mike Gallimore was ruled out with flu. Loose forward Sam Naylor took over the No 9 shirt and Kersal faced the unusual situation of a scrum half jumping at 4 in the line. Northwich scored first with a good Steve Campbell try after skipper Smith charged a kick down and Chris Dale scooped the ball up to set his outside backs away with Campbell taking the ball home from 35 yards. 5-0. Northwich were living on scraps and couldn't hang on to their own ball. AK won all of their line outs and most of Northwich's and the visitors were rewarded with a Matt Hulse try. Rogers missed the conversion and another kickable penalty. 5-5 HT.
Steve Campbell for Northwich started the second half with a 60 yard interception try that was well converted by Muntean from wide out. Rogers for Kersal with a penalty made it 12-8 but Richard Dale joined the home side from the bench and Northwich looked stronger. Muntean floated a perfectly weighted cross field kick for the aforesaid Richard Dale to collect, and cross in the corner to complete the scvoring. Note. Muntean's tendency to kick or pass seems to be the right option for him. He chose to run one against LSH earlier in the season and collected 6 stitches for his trouble. Once again this week he ran one in this match and had to leave the field after once again, finding himself under the "thundering herd".

Northwich entertain Aspatria next week then visit Blackburn before Broughton Park come to Moss Farm on 5th Dec. AK seem to be suffering once again from "premature ejaculation". They were fast out of the traps last season & again this year, but are clearly struggling with players' absences due to injury etc. The visit to Sandbach next week will be another tough one. After 10 games Lymm look comfortable and have opened up a 4 point gap at the top. A win next week, against Broughton Park, would really establish their dominance. The chasing pack of 9 teams are all capable of taking points off each other and probably will do just that. At the other end of the table Tyldesley have won their second game after going close elsewhere recently.
 

Games on Saturday October 31st 2009

Pick of the weeks results was the Leigh win against Broughton Park. New Brighton's draw with Altrincham Kersal also deserving a mention. Lymm and LSH had straight forward wins to maintain their league superiority.

Leigh 36 Broughton Park 25 Leigh have recorded some good results recently and now have 5 wins from 9 after a sluggish start to this seasons campaign. Broughton Park on the other hand have been playing with real intent this term and might have hoped for something from this match. Leigh played a simple but effective game. They drew in the 'Park forwards and then sent it out to their backs. 'Park were in tackling mode for much of the game. When the cover was not there or tackles were missed Leigh scored tries. 'Park did get some ball but then at times it looked as though they had not played together before, which was true in the case of the half-back partnership. Centre George Mosey was drafted in at outhalf because Mike Kinsella was at a wedding in Ireland. George had initial problems finding the sometimes wayward pass of the 'Park scrum-half.

'Park have match winners with their back three players. Flying winger Dave Kenney, skilful Ronan O'Brien coming into the line from full back and left winger Jamie Harrison, despite seeing little good ball, is the 2nd highest try scorer in the league. Unfortunately players inside seem to want to take the ball as far as they can before they even think about passing it on with the result that the ball seems to get to the wings, if it ever does, late, leaving little space because all the opposition cover is across. Mark McConnell has a broken bone so 'Park drafted in 2nd row Jon Knight to play at No.8, he was having storming game, but in the 1st half contrived to get himself sent off for 'talking' to the referee. With 'Park down to 14 men they did play better, maybe this was in part to Leigh taking their foot off the gas. From it looking that it might be a cricket score 'Park did get the score back to some sort of respectability and if it hadn't been for a Leigh breakaway from their own 22 to score under the posts, when the 'Park left winger took the ball in but 'Park failed to secure it, the score might have been closer. Jamie Harrison did eventually get the ball, but with little space, although he typically wriggled his way over for a try in the corner.

Northwich 41 Vale of Lune 5 Northwich were too strong on the day against a youthful Vale of Lune in near perfect conditions at Moss Farm. Six tries to one was a fair refection of the play. Northwich prop, John Brotherton was a strong candidate for the man of the match with a strong game in the tight and a couple of tries. It really was a competent performance with tries by Campbell (2) Bown and Naylor to go with Brotherton's brace. Vale full back Adam Birchall rounded off a good spell for the visitors with a try in the corner but that was all that they had to show for their journey south. Northwich move into third spot on points difference and welcome Alt. Kersal and Aspatria to to Moss Farm over the next two weeks. A word of appreciation about the referee from the East Midlands Society. The Huntingdon man was among the best seen at Moss Farm this season.

New Brighton 15 Altrincham Kersal 15 (Report Courtesy of Doug Thorpe and NB web-site)
To the non partisan spectator an honourable draw would seem to have been a fair result to this keenly fought contest. However, for the Blues and their supporters, including some 120 New Brighton Past Players who had gathered for the annual reunion, it was tinged with more than a little disappointment as the home side had scored the only two tries in the game and then with barely three minutes to go had grabbed the lead with a Anthony Birley penalty goal. Only to have the prize snatched away by a conceding a penalty, converted by Sean Rogers on the final whistle.

Altrincham Kersal kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs. New Brighton immediately mounted an attack from deep, carried it well into the A.K. half, a break by Mafi looked to promise an early score but his attempted chip did not come off and the opportunity was lost. Altrincham Kersal responded with some expansive play to put New Brighton under pressure, forcing the defence to concede a penalty and putting themselves three points ahead via to the boot of Sean Rogers on seven minutes.The New Brighton defence was constantly tested by the visitors who were always ready to give the ball plenty of air and made good use of the strong breeze at their backs to kick for attacking positions. Never the less, the line was not breached and A.K. only added to their score with a second penalty goal on 32 minutes. The half reached a crescendo in the final minutes as the Altrincham Kersal, trying to counter the Blues trademark drive for the line, lost both No 8 Dylan O’Grady and second row Steven Richardson to yellow cards before Anthony Birley sailed through near the post, converted the try and New Brighton would start the second half 7 points to 6 ahead and a wind advantage.

It was never going to be that easy. Altrincham Kersal were back in the lead with a penalty on 42 minutes before New Brighton swept back with a well worked move rounded off by Paul Lewis to reverse the order to put the Blues back ahead by 12 points to 9. The Blues defence came under severe pressure over the following 10 minute spell but despite losing Loa Tupou, Nick Aldesley and Sean Ellis to yellow cards in rapid succession it still held out. Not succeeding in forcing a try against a depleted opposition the visitors settled for pulling level with a penalty goal on the hour.They might have thought it all over as Birley parted the posts with a penalty on 67 minutes but Altrincham Kersal still stormed back. A fluffed clearance by the Blues allowed the visitors to hold their position, a desperate though illegal defensive manoeuvre was spotted by the referee and then Rogers made no mistake to make sure that it really was all over.

Lymm 66 Aspatria 3 The score was not quite a fair reflection of the share of the possession. Lymm, however were far superior in the backs and knew what do do with the ball when they got it. Any possession that Aspatria had was either turned over or lost to a much sharper outfit. Lymm won after Joe Knowles amassed 26 points and Griffiths 3 tries. Hughes and Williamson had set Lymm off with a great move that saw Jake Ashall go over and at 12-0 after 10 minutes Lymm were away and running. Stoddart did kick an Aspatria penalty but that was all that they got for a lot of effort.
Lymm charge on therefore, with slight worries over a Hughes injury that saw him leave the field after 15 mins and also the loss of much travelled Alex Gluth (the writer surely saw him play for Gordon at Eastwood in Sydney more than 2 years ago). Gluth has returned to the sun.
Aspatria are likely to be at full strength against New Brighton next week and away at Northwich the following week. They need something from one or the other game to give themselves a lift-and a few points.

Liverpool St Helens 43 Blackburn 7 Liverpool St Helens duly recorded their sixth successive victory comfortably running in three tries in each half. Although far from fluent they outgunned their East Lancashire rivals, particularly in the backs.The first half tries came from centre Greg Smith, his first of four on the day, collecting a neat pass from Simon Worsley after six minutes; winger Ian Stanley, finishing with a barnstorming run after combining with Matt Cunliffe and Danny Higham, seven minutes later; and hooker Phil Battersby plunging over from short range after good work from full back John Pape, five minutes before half time. Centre Tom Sellick pulled a try back for the visitors, converted by Paul Bleasdale, as they rallied strongly after the break before the rest of the game belonged to Greg Smith. The 20 year old centre scored all three tries, converted two and landed a penalty to add to his first half try and three conversions to register a remarkable personal tally of 33 points.A convincing win for the home team against a Blackburn side that had played very well against a strong Leigh side the previous week. Blackburn had a very good 20 min spell but were not rewarded with enough points for their efforts.

Burnage 12 Wilmslow 22 A very good result for Wilmslow at Burnage where wins are hard to come by. Playing uphill in the first half, Burnage had the better of the end to end opening exchanges. Wilmslow went close with a kick chase when the home side turned over possession upfield. Yet they were soon seven points down as Burnage scored an excellent opening try. A clean break was backed up by excellent support play and Oli Hewitt crashed over between the posts for a converted score. Wilmslow worked back into Burnage territory and earned a penalty for an infringement on the ground. The kick was successful, reducing Burnage’s lead to four points. Wilmslow then enjoyed the best of the remainder of the half, sniping around the fringes to good effect. They scored two converted scores; the first after a break from No 9 Callum Manton who fed lock forward Mike Clifford, the Wilmslow skipper, and the second from no 8 Ryan Parkinson, to leave Burnage trailing by ten at the break. The second half was disappointing for the home team and Wilmslow ran out worthy winners. Burnage substitute Jonny Scholes wriggled over from the back of a ruck to bring Burnage within ten points of the lead but with only 5 minutes left on the clock after Knight kicked the extras. Wilmslow however were able to shut the game out with a try by Josh Longmore and Ian Roberts' penalty to go with his two conversions.

Sandbach 34 - Tyldesley 22 Although Sandbach were playing a team with only one win to their name, and languishing at the bottom end of the table, it was always going to a potential 'banana skin' when they hosted Tyldesley on Saturday. Sandbach were struggling badly for manpower, with a staggering 17 1stXV squad players either injured or unavailable, but in the end the spirit of previous weeks came through. Tyldesley started the scoring with a well taken penalty. However Sandbach quickly responded with a well worked try that Ally Burton finished off nicely, and which Will Cargill converted. Cargill then slotted a penalty, to make it 10-3. Tyldesley made Sandbach pay for a lapse in concentration in their defensive line, with a converted try to equalise. Cargill quickly put Sandbach back in front with another penalty before Tyldesley punished Sandbach's slow defence with another try. However, the Cargill show continued, as he managed to dance his way through the Tyldesley defence to score a try of his own which he duly converted to leave Sandbach 20-15 up at the break. Sandbach gradually took control of the game in the second half - captain Mark Bird dummied from the bottom of a ruck and ran in his first try of the season from 20 metres out, with Cargill again picking up the extras.For the second successive week, Willy Stockdale saw yellow for coming into a maul illegally and the visiting side punished the Green and Reds with a push-over try. When Stockdale returned, he made amends by adding another 5 points as he picked and went from the base of the ruck, and Cargill once again followed up with another conversion to finish the scoring. Overall a satisfying performance from the home side, who will look to make it three in a row at Vale of Lune this Saturday

Next week sees Broughton Park entertain Liverpool St Helens, Park might be one of the few teams that could turn over a strong LSH side. The following week Park go to Lymm so they need to bounce back from the Leigh result or slip back into the pack.
Elsewhere AK visit Northwich and Sandbach go up the M6 to Vale of Lune. Leaders Lymm should be too good at Blackburn and Wilmslow would expect to win at home against Tyldesley. There should be a good game at Vale of Lune as visitors New Brighton have struggled away from home. Leigh at home to Burnage should also be a cracker with Leigh seemingly firing on all cylinders recently.
 

Games on Saturday October 24th 2009

Altrincham Kersal 20 Lymm 21
The match of the round, with the top two at Altrincham. While the match was a nail biter it was not, apparently a classic game, played in blustery conditions. The game struggled to get going and Lymm will thank kicker Joe Knowles for his 79th minute penalty that sealed the win. Lymm are now 2 points clear at the top of the league but will realise that they will need to find a better balance in their backs if they are to deliver the promotion they are aiming for. Tom Hughes, returning from Longton, was picked at 13, Tom Baker started at 9, with Chris Griffiths away, and Alex Gluth was at 7, against a former club. Mark Sutton was back after injury. Last weeks man of the match Jake Ashall was unlucky to find himself benched but Lymm, with such riches available to them, now actively rotate their 25 man squad. Lymm started brightly. Setting up phase after phase in the home 22 but consistently failed to execute. Handling errors and poor kicking strategies prevented any momentum and it was no surprise when Kersal's Rogers went through 2 tackles to score on 16 mins. 5-0. Both teams seemed nervous and mistakes were numerous. Rogers dropped a simple pass in his own try area allowing Gluth to pounce to equalise. Knowles converted giving Lymm the lead on 21 mins. 5-7 The home team took the lead again on 30 mins. A lovely set piece move releasing their 13 to burst through the defence. Rogers converted. 12-7. Rogers then notched a penalty on 34 mins, 15-7 and then, when he went over again, through wafer thin defence on 40 the home team were 20-7 at half time. Lymm could have been in real trouble at this stage. Jack Warrington was replaced by old timer Broadbent for Lymm, through injury and began to control some set-piece. With slight advantage with the blustery wind and the vocal Hughes at 10 the visitors began to look more like the team that had only lost twice since February. A driving maul allowed Ollie Higginson to score on 48 mins, 20-12 and then it was the Joe Knowles story. Having struggled largely with kicking this season he notched penalties on 55 and 74 after naive defending from the home team. Penalties were coming thick and fast as Altrincham tried to slow the ball. Swetman missed by 5 metres from 45 on 76 mins and then Knowles had the chance to secure the victory after extraordinary work by Mark Sutton in gaining a turnover. He succeeded and Lymm took the points.

Aspatria 12 Liverpool St Helens 23 LSH go second after this win and coutecy of AK's loss to Lymm but LSH will not relish the way that they dealt with very difficult opposition in tough playing conditions albeit that they eventually achieved a winning result. Aspatria started brightly and went close after 10 before Stoddart took full advantage of an LSH mistake by going over and then converting his own try. Greg Smith for LSH reduced the arrears with a penalty but Aspatria went further ahead through a full back Lee Tinnion try following a well-rehearsed Stoddard cross kick. Smith kicked a further penalty for Liverpool and prop Jan Lourens crossed for the Merseysiders to cut the deficit to a single point.
Our Aspatria scribe describes the period prior to, and immediately after half time as "a few mad minutes". Two Aspatria yellow cards after warnings to both captains by the referree, saw the 13 Cumbrian men sustain a converted try either side of the break, both by the alert Smith. No further scores and indiscipline cost the lads in Black/Red dearly.

Broughton Park 35 Burnage 28 Burnage felt that they deserved better from their short journey along Princess Parkway, but this was a victory for running rugby and pacey wingplay over strong, coordinated forward play. As elsewhere the conditions played a big part in strategy. Burnage were with the elements in the first half and started strongly. 3 Consecutive penalties awarded against Burnage allowed Park to move 70 yards up the pitch without the need to play any rugby. A fortuitous overthrown line-out by Park was brilliantly turned into points when Mike Kinsella went over wide on the right. The reliable boot of Ronan O'Brien and a try by Justin Harrison for Park was not enough to give them a halfway lead however. Burnage created space with strong forward play and found touch with a penalty. Line-out catch and drive over by the forwards, try scorer could have been any one from eight. Adam Knight converted and then added a long range penalty and a further successful kick to bring the scores to 13-13 at the break. Park to play down-wind in the second half and with immediate results. Kinsella kicked long, the ball was spilt by the Burnage defense and Dave Kenney followed up to score. As time passed the hosts were looking at every opportunity to repeat the ploy. Sure enough O'Brien noticed the the Burnage full back was "not at home" and his perfectly weighted kick was picked up by Harrison to score. Parks new found confidence was punctured as the foot came off the pedal. Burnage released their backs and Knight kicked a penalty 23-16. Park scored again but Burnage were not to be rolled over easily. Adam Blaney scored and Knight converted and yet another score for the visitors brought the scores close. Park effectively then killed off the game through an interception try by Mosey after one long adventurous pass by Burnage too many. Enjoyable game with Kinsella possibly the man of the match for the home side.

Blackburn 14 Leigh 22 Leigh had scored 70 un-answered points the previous week and were expected to give the Blackburn XV a torrid time in the follow up fixture against a game Blackburn. Leigh had to work hard however for their victory against a Blackburn side whose tenacity belied their lowly league position.

Leigh made the best of starts when winger Bentham scorched down the touchline to score the opening try following a break from the scrum by Wood. This was followed by Leigh's best spell of the game when strong running by the forwards, with front rowers Anthony and Prescott prominent, repeatedly put the home defence under pressure. After the sides had traded penalties, Leigh extended their lead when number eight Crompton pounced on a mistake by Blackburn to score a try which Knapman converted. However, any thoughts that Leigh would go on to establish an unassailable lead were squashed when the home side narrowed Leigh's lead to six points following two penalties.

Having played well against a strong wind, Leigh started the second half with confidence high. However, their defence was tested to the full with Blackburn's forwards driving hard and controlling possession for long periods. The home side got their reward when their dangerous winger superbly finished a sweeping move to score in the corner. With the lead cut to a single point, Leigh redoubled their efforts and, making excellent use of the strong wind, were able to keep play deep into Blackburn territory. The decisive try, converted by Knapman, followed driving play by the forwards combining with slick handling by the threequarters to send winger Forshaw sprinting clear.

A win full of character by Leigh but a game which once again showed that there are no poor sides in this league.

Tyldesley 22 Northwich 35 A good tidy win for Northwich without too much fuss. Chris Grobler opened the scoring for Tyldesley however although Mike Gallimore equalised from the base of a 5m scrum soon after. Mark Dickinson for Tyldesley and Dodo Muntean kicking the conversions. At 7-7 at half time with the wind in their favour Northwich looked a sure bet. Not at all each time the Black's' seized the initiative Tydesley came back strongly. Dickinson kicked a penalty to go 10-7 ahead. Graham Robinson the Northwich No 8 looks fitter each time he runs on to the park afdter a long lay off. He scored a trade mark No 8 try powering over in a bullocking run. Muntean converted and added a penalty. Gallimore again from close quarters scored an unconverted try for Northwich but then at 22-10 ahead the visitors contrived to lose shape and looked vulnerable. Mike Dickson scored and converted for the home side. Muntean dropped a goal but Bishop scored for Tyldesley. So, with five minutes to go Tyldesley were right back in it at 22-25 after Dickenson missed the conversion from wide out. Northgwich responded positively when Sam Naylor, fresh from the bench, set up a cracking try from Steve Campbell. Muntean converted and then with the last kick of play slotted over a penalty to create a slightly flattering final score. Northwich played some great flowing rugby at times but do lose concentration on the game plan at times. They now have the luxury of three consecutive home games. Tyldesley showed once again that the league is very strong but a gap is opening at the bottom now.

Wilmslow 16 - Sandbach 17 Three penalties and a drop goal from fly half Will Cargill sealed Sandbach's narrow 16-17 win over Wilmslow at Pownall Park. The Wolves scored first and early through a try from flanker James Partington. Centre Jack Leach responded almost immediately for the visitors to level the scores. Both sides exchanged penalties and Cargill's drop goal gave Sandbach an 8-11 lead. Wilmslow regained the lead with a try from centrre Ricky Chadwick, but two more Cargill penalties did the damage. Wilmslow scrum half Charlie Mulchrone was stretchered to hospital with a neck injury - which saw the game move to an adjoining pitch for the last 25 minutes. X-rays showed no permanant damage . Sandbach club coach Winston Elliott was particularly impressed by the grit, determination and tenacity of his team and was quick to highlight the benefits of strength in depth, with players performing well when not necessarily being 1st team regulars or playing in their preferred position.

Vale of Lune 22 New Brighton 19

A tale of woe from New Brighton who arrived for this match in patches we hear. One "South Sea Islander" was reported to have suffered frostbite and another hypothermia waiting at some godforsaken motorway junction for a lift. Memo to other clubs travelling north this season -don't mess with the M6.

Vale were good value for their win with a strong first half showing and their victory opens up a sizable 6 point gap between the bottom 3 teams and the rest.

This coming Saturdays fixtures sees Broughton Park at Leigh. Park should easily win on form but this looks like a possible upset if Leigh can get their best team and game plan onto the pitch. O Briens boot could decide it but the Mancunians can wilt under a big forward 8. Lymm and LSH should win at home but AK have a tough one at New Brighton-if the seasiders all got back from Vale of Lune

Games on Saturday October 17th 2009

Lymm continued their progress towards a promotion place with a home win against Vale of Lune 32-18. Vale are a strong outfit with a proud history. They were in no mood to roll over at Lymm but found themselves outclassed against a masterly performance by the home side. Lymm have Cheshire centre Tom Hughes back in the fold. He is understood to have left Lymm to return to his home club Longton last season, but, as a master at Lymm High, was finding the travelling to training a chore. He is a class act and will be a major force during the long winter months.
New Brighton made hard work of beating Tyldesley but eventually ran out 18-5 victors.
Burnage were good value for their 32-10 victory over Blackburn in Manchester despite a slow start. Blackburn started well and went ahead, deservedly, after a big overlap was converted to give the Lancastrians a 7-0 lead. An exchange of penalities saw Blackburn go on to 10-3. Blackburn continued to live off the home side's mistakes but gradually the Burnage side started to gel together. Just before the break Burnage won a line-out and Scholes crashed over. The Adam Knight conversion saw the score level 10-10 at the break. Unanswered scores from Chris Kornecki, Blaney and Stuart Oldham for Burnage in the second half saw them comfortably home 32-10 eventually but they will not want to reproduce their first half performance against Broughton Park next Saturday.

Broughton Park won a tough encounter with Wilmslow in unusual circumstances. A penalty was awarded to Park at a stage when Wilmslow were winning narrowly, late on in the match. The O.Brien penalty sailed wide, much to Wilmslows relief, but the alert Harrison was sharp enough to pounce on the missed kick and register a touch-down to take the match 24-20. Our Wilmslow correspondent reports that the game was gift wrapped, embellished with pink ribbon and presented to Park on a plate in one unguarded moment. All very hard to bear for Jordan Kennedy who had run in two cracking Wilmslow tries earlier. Wilmslow had resisted early attacks by Park and had pressured a forced pass that resulted in a converted try by the visitors. A drop goal followed by Wilmslow and their back line was looking a real handful at 10-0. Park responded well. Dave Kenny, Paddy O'Donnel and the boot of O'Brien brought Park into the lead. Back came Wilmslow with Kennedy's sharpness and they led 20-17.
Then the missed penalty, Harrisons alertness and a final score of 24-20 to Park.

Improving Leigh won against Aspatria 70-0. Leigh had just failed to beat Altricham last week, losing by a single point, and were in no mood to see a repeat. Regular tries during the game were a fair reflection of the play. Aspatria struggle to put out a settled team week to week and their fearsome pack can hold the best in the league on their day. For Leigh, No8, Calvin Crompton was outstanding. Wingers, Tom Forshaw and Adam Dyson also impressed. In the midst of the carnage there were some solid performances from several Aspatria shirts. Jack Clegg played well at scrum half, David Humes at No8 troubled the home defence with some bullocking runs and in the back line, centre's Heinie Jonker and Steven Douglas played with spirit.

Northwich were at home to their bogey team Sandbach. With the off-duty firemen back, and Muntean back from injury at stand-off, Northwich were in no mood to sit back. Muntean kicked ahead through an advancing defence for Barber to collect and score. After a successful conversion Sandbach's Cargill and Muntean exchanged penalties. In a top class move Steve Campbell for Northwich, was released by Muntean, kicked ahead and collected one handed to put Gallimore over. 17-3 at half time. Cargill picked up another penalty in the second half but Muntean scored in the corner, Chris Dale and Chris James followed suit and, at 34-6 northwich were home and dry. Sandbach scored late-on through a penalty try. Cargill converted to give some respectability to the scoreline. Final score 34-13.

And so to the match of the day at Liverpool St Helens who entertained Altrincham Kersal. The teams produced one of the best games seen at Moss Lane for some time, with LSH proving much the better finishers, by five tries to one. Despite even possession and a series of Kersal attacks LSH were 14-3 up at half time; both tries scored by scrum half Martin Gambles. The first, in 10 minutes, came from a break by Phil Kearns and a superb run from Dave Cunliffe and the second, in the 39th, followed good work from Greg Smith, who converted both, and Cunliffe again. Sean Rogers landed a penalty for Kersal midway through the half.

The visitors pressured the LSH line immediately after the restart but once again found no way through. LSH then went further ahead with a try from Danny Higham after a move from one end to the other involving most of the LSH team before the lively Gambles notched his hat- trick, with an assist from Paul Bamber. Smith converted both.

Rogers kicked two more penalties and converted his own try to score all the visitors points before winger Ian Stanley scored yet another interception try to round off a good afternoon’s work for the Moss Laners.

So, after round seven Lymm are alone at the top with Altrincham Kersal to come this Saturday away. Broughton Park will hope to beat Burnage while Liverpool St Helens are "up north" at Aspatria.

Games on Saturday October 10th 2009

Lymm and Altrincham Kersal continued to top the league after both won. At the other end of the table Blackburn, Aspatria and Tyldesley need to start picking up points as reward for their efforts.

Lymm won easily at Tyldesley 27-0 but Altrincham Kersal only just scraped home by a single point at home against Leigh 9-8. AK now travel to Liverpool St Helens next week before meeting Lymm at home.
Wilmslow beat Northwich at Pownal Park by 31-22. The Northwich teams' defence, which was once so impenetrable, is looking leaky to say the least. With midfield general Muntean out, Northwich looked somewhat aimless on the pitch. Northwich scored first early on through a Gallimore close quarter blind side break. Wilmslow then dominated the rest of the first half, scoring tries through Chris Lee, Jack Walmsley, Charlie Mulchrone and Jordan Kennedy. with 3 conversions by MacCallum. Richard Dale kicking a penalty in a rare Northwich foray. Positional changes saw 18 yr old Barber move to stand-off with considerable effect for Northwich. Barber started and then finished a clever move involving Chris Dale and Richard Dale converted. Gallimore was now buzzing and, after another break from the base of a maul, he put Tom Bradfield in at the corner. Richard Dale converted from wide out. At 26-22 it was game-on. However, Wilmslow's Chris Lee was set free "on the touchline" to go over in the corner to complete the scoring. Wilmslow, therefore, power onwards and look to be a decent unit again this season with a better blend between forwards and backs. The visit to Broughton Park next Saturday will tell them whether they are going to be serious challengers after 3 consecutive home games.
Sandbach entertained a strong New Brighton side and beat them by 36-23. This was a very good win for Sandbach who have now won 4 from 6 games. New Brighton seem to run hot and cold, and need to reproduce good home form when playing elsewhere.
Broughton Park might have expected to have an easy win at Blackburn. They did win-by 22-12, but sloppy passing saw move after move break down. Blackburn showed a lot of resolve and have a kicker to take advantage of the 4 penalty opportunities that Park conceded. It was the 2nd time the opposition have had a good kicker, and the 2nd time (the other was Sandbach) that 'Park were made to pay for giving away penalties. Bob MacAllum from Wilmslow, next week's opponents, is not a kicker to take liberties with. 'Park were superior in most aspects of the game but elementary errors and not seeing team members in better scoring positions kept the score down. Broughton Park move up to level 3rd.
Burnage were up at Aspatria and did well to come back with the points after their encounter with Aspatria's big pack. Tales of woe from the Cumbrians with players out. Coach Mark Richardson for Aspatria was not happy when his charges "messed up" their own scrum and Burnage's back line ran in a classic try across the park with Blaney touching down. Aspatria were pinned back in their own half for long periods but did have good runs by Douglas & Holliday, without any tangible benefit. A chip over the top by Burnage fly half on 25 mins saw Jonny Scholes run in another score. A Clegg break for Aspatria was halted by Burnage and a sharp exchange between Burnages backs saw Nick Scholes score and Knight converted. Nearly half time and Aspatria gained some reward when scrum half Spires put a grubber kick behind the defence and livewire full back Clegg was on to it and home. HT 21-5 to Burnage. Burnage dominated the second half, despite stirling work by Aspatria flanker Jacques Rowe. Further Burnage tries with Blaney recording a hat-trick and Sam Jennings adding one, followed. Knight kicked 4 conversions on a generally better day for marksmen. A final try for Aspatria by Ricky Holliday, after good work by Rowe, was converted by Stoddard. The full time score of 12-38 was a fair reflection of the game. Man of the Match Adam Blaney for Burnage with Aspatria's Jacques Rowe running him close.
Vale of Lune went down at home to a resurgent Liverpool St Helens, LSH winning 36-19 with a good all-round performance.

In a bad tempered match, four tries from LSH in a fifteen minute spell early in the first half took the game away from the home side and although Vale came back strongly, LSH were always in control.Ian Stanley notched the first with a 50 metre interception (as at Sandbach!) winger Andy Dowell raced over for the second; skipper Phil Kearns touched down from the back of a powerful eight man shove; and flanker Danny Higham finished off a move down the middle involving Kearns, Martin Gambles and Paul Bamber. Alastair Richards grabbed a try for Vale before the break and David Schuyler and Adam Birchall crossed in the second half but Stanley, with his eleventh of the season, and Dave Cunliffe both ran in tries to quell all thoughts of a Vale revival. Simon Worsley landed three conversions for LSH and Keith Quigley two for Vale.It will be interesting to see how LSH deal with the next couple of games. The fixture next week, against Altrincham Kersal at Moss Lane should be well worth the trip along the East Lancs Rd.

It is interesting to muse that there appear to be fewer travelling southern hemisphere players apparent, than would have been the case a couple of seasons ago. There are still some playing in our league, but perhaps the extension of the league fixture list here, the tightening of border controls, as well as the poorer economic climate generally has stemmed the tide. Discuss !
 

Games on Saturday October 3rd 2009

Liverpool St Helens were the day’s high scorers by dishing out a beating to Tyldesley by 52-7. A sparkling all round LSH team performance featured a solid front eight platform, excellent handling and strong running. The result never looked in doubt from the third minute when winger Ian Stanley scored the opening try after good work from Steve Ormesher. The 25 year old speedster then went on to score the second, as well as two more in the second half, remarkably repeating his four try haul from the week before. Hardworking winger Andy Dowell crossed for the third to leave LSH 19-0 in front before centre Dave Cunliffe powered over for the fourth immediately after the break. Stanley added two more before Martin Gambles and Simon Worsley completed the rout with a try apiece. Tyldesley’s Gareth Paine had breached the LSH line towards the end of the second half but to the delight of the Moss Lane faithful this was LSH’s day. 

Wilmslow celebrated their 125th anniversary with their first home win of the season. They made hard work of the 37-22 victory over winless Blackburn. There were tries for centre Josh Longmore, winger James Watt, centre Chris Lee, winger Jordan Kennedy and veteran full back  Ben Warren. Fly half Bob MacCallum added the balance with two pens and three cons. Blackburn's three tries were scored, somewhat bizarrely when they were down to 14 men.

Northwich were on the road at New Brighton. They were beaten on the day by a far better New Brighton team who played the strong wind intelligently and deserved the points running out winners by 26-14. Playing downwind Dodo Muntean kicked two first half drop goals and a penalty for Northwich. With half time approaching, it was clear that nine points would not be enough to have in the bank. With a few minutes of the half left, Northwich prop John Brotherton was sin binned for killing the ball. NB took full advantage of the situation and scored tries either side of the interval. The first from winger Gaz Simpson, which Steve Dean had no chance of converting against the wind. After the break NB were awarded a penalty try for interfering when the NB scrum looked certain to gain a push over try. Dean converted to take a 12-9 advantage and with the wind at their backs NB were favourites to win. Northwich winger Joel Barber had other ideas and scored a great individual try when he cut through the central NB defences but it was too far out for Muntean to convert. The 'Black's' lead was short lived. Dean kicked a penalty to snatch back the advantage and the match was effectively over when NB centre Andy Signal took advantage of some slack tackling and scored a soft try. Dodo Muntean tried to rally his troops but with 20 minutes remaining he sustained a nasty six stitch head wound and was replaced by Chris Dutoy. Steve Dean kicked two further penalties to give NB a comfortable win. 

Broughton Park entertained Aspatria and beat them comfortably 34-10. Scrum-half Steve Elliot's quick thinking saw him run half the length of the pitch from a tap penalty to score without a hand being laid on him. This summed up 'Park's day. For much of the time they had to tackle the big Aspatria forwards but when they won the ball they made Aspatria pay with quick thinking and quick hands to score the tries. Aspatria did come into the game in the 2nd half when they kept it in the forwards but tended to lose the ball when it went out to their backs. For the first time this season 'Park's scrummage went backwards in the face of the big, strong Aspatria 8. However, 'Park won enough ball to win 34 - 10.

Lymm deservedly overcame Sandbach by 25-3. Few details of the match are available as yet but the strength of the Lymm unit has been impressive this season and they are going to be vying with Altrincham Kersal for honours if current form is any guide. Sandbach need some consistency to add to their undoubted flair.

Burnage lost at home to leaders Altrincham by 21-12. Burnage started well against the leaders but AK scored the only points of the first half with a well worked try down the left flank. Burnage missed a 40 yd penalty and turned around 5-0 down. The second half saw Kersal repeat their first half try after a fine move finished once again by the same centre in the left corner. Undaunted, Burnage hit back with a text book try. Good ground made on the right by Knight, quick recycle, O’Sullivan drive, Kersal backs sucked in, and space for the Burnage backs to create an overlap for Oldham to go over. This AK team are made of stern stuff however and another try was followed by a penalty to give them an 18-5 advantage. Burnage scored again through Ralph Lawson and Knight converted well. Another AK penalty saw them home 21-12 but this was no easy game and promoted Burnage look good value for their place at this level.

Leigh were at home to Vale of Lune who fell by 25-7 to a rejuvenated Leigh side that thoroughly deserved their triumph. Leigh depend upon a lot on Knapman to accrue points from the boot. Carson & Dyson are good finishers but the Leigh side this year look to be heading for a comfortable mid table place unless they add that extra touch of class to link together a good pack to scoring opportunities. Vale of the other hand are yet to show their class away from home. They are capable of beating anyone at home and will cause upsets before the season closes.

Altrincham Kersal now lead the table on point’s difference from Lymm, both having registered 4 wins from 5 games played. Seven other sides have 6 points so still very open as yet.

Games on Saturday September 26th 2009

Another incredibly tight set of results in round 4 of the fixture list this week-end. The difference between 10 of the 14 teams seems paper thin at this stage.

A big crowd at hitherto undefeated Sandbach were disappointed by the manner in which their young side were beaten by Liverpool St Helens 11-29. A lively mid-week training session with a frank exchange of views had taken place at LSH's Moss Lane HQ and the increased effort paid dividends for the away side.

The other 100% record in this league was with Lymm. They went to nearby Northwich and were unlucky to come away with nothing after losing 16-15. After a really strong start by Lymm's pack they rolled over the try line early doors for the games first score and converted to go 7-0 up. Northwich's stand-off Muntean had his kicking boots on and brought the score back to 7-6 with a couple of long range penalties. A further 45 yd drop goal by Northwich was answered by a Lymm penalty. A brilliant second half individual try by Northwich's Stephen Campbell took the score to 16-10 but Lymm were far from done and scored in the left corner after another strong forward attack. No conversion and no more scores but Lymm will feel that they wasted several chances to kick points from first half penalties and hang on to their 20 odd game winning run. Northwich once again were guilty of needless law infringements but their Player Coach Muntean was outstanding.
Wilmslow entertained New Brighton and the young home side were narrowly beaten 17-16 by the seasiders.
New Leaders are Altrincham Kersal who triumphed 19-18 at home to Broughton Park in the other Manchester derby. An electrifying start by Broughton Park's fly half Kinsella who ran through just about half of the AK team to score a brilliant individual, but unconverted, try. A chip and chase by Ronan O'Brien saw Dave Kenny go over for Park to complete the first half scoring 0-10 to Park. The hair dryer was liberally used at half time by the AK coach and a seemingly different side came out to face the stiffish wind. A couple of penalties were missed by AK but then, against the run of play Altrincham forwards weny over the top and O'Brien made it 13-0. Given the opportunity to play keep-ball and tie the game up, Park sat back instead and defended albeit unsuccessfully, as AK ran in three tries on 62, 68 and 75 mins to go ahead 19-13. Big pressure from Park in the last 5 resulted in a Jamie Harrison score in the corner. 19-18 and the conversion to come. O'Brien sent the ball just the wrong side of the post and that was that. Big scoring AK were satisfied with the win but declared it too close for comfort.
Another local derby was played out at Tyldesley with near neighbours Leigh coming out 16-20 winners.
Vale of Lune won another tight one 26-24 at home against Burnage. Vales backs edging it over Burnages forwards. Burnage ran onto the pitch fresh from the coach after a hitch en route. They dominated in the first 20 mins but only had a Adam Knight penalty to show for it. Vale's Richards took the plaudits with three tries in all & Ian Bird added a fourth. Andy Garnett adding extras. It was a truly tight match when Burnage came back from 19-10 at half way after a penalty try in their favour, to get firstly to 19-17 and then back to 26-24 with a Jonny Scholes try converted by Knight. Richards for Vale was the difference while Vale's James Hesketh gave everything.
Blackburn had a fruitless long journey up to Aspatria who recorded their first league win by the handsome margin of 40-5. A good all round contest spoilt by the visitors habit of giving away possession with poor handling. Aspatria new recruit Graham Paterson has come across from Wigton R. League and was sent clear by Steven Douglas for the easiest score that he will have under union rules.
Stoddart converted and then added 3 first half penalties, the last of which was outside his range until backchat gave him 10 metres less to kick.
Blackburn were playing well enough but a move after 30 mins illustrated their problems. A quick tap penalty created a big overlap and, left with a simple run in to the line, the Blackburn player dropped the ball.
Jaques Rowe for Aspatria and the Blackburn No 8 spent 10 mins each in the cooler in different incidents but Aspatria ran away with the game in the second half with winger Paterson earning his corn with a good run past 3 defenders to go over. Jack Clegg, Ricky Halliday and sub Ken Bowes added further tries. Blackburns back rower Rob Townsend completed a rolling maul move in the 68th minute to register their only "chalk". Steven Douglas had an influential game at outside centre for Aspatria in a deserved first league win.

At this early stage 5 clubs have 6 points and 5 more have registered 4. This coming Saturday sees Sandbach on the road at Lymm in what should be another close affair.


Games on Saturday September 19th 2009

Altrincham Kersal took the honours with a second big win in succession, this week defeating Blackburn 55-10 up on the moors. Blackburn are one of the most hospitable clubs in this league but stretched hospitality a little too far to AK who took full advantage. Half backs Nicholls and Holloway are the main architects of AK's good start and the south Manchester outfit will be thereabouts come next April.
Undefeated Vale of Lune travelled down to Broughton Park but went home empty handed. Steve Elliot, the Broughton livewire scrum half, scored the games only try with a 35 yard trot after picking up at the base of a scrum. Ronan O'Brien kicked his penalties all afternoon but Vale had an off day with the boot. Park's Jamie Harrison & Mike Kinsella were the two players vying for "man of the match". Final score 20-3. Broughton Park play Altrincham Kersal next week.
Northwich won well at Liverpool St Helens by 24-16. Northwich's habit of picking up yellow cards for persistent infringement will cost them dear in close games at some stage. Try scorers for Northwich were Bown, Barber and Richard Dale with Richard Dale kicking the extras. Martin Gambles and Ian Stanley scored late on for LSH and Matty Cunliffe slotting a couple of penalties.
Burnage beat Tyldesley 32-13 with their ex Manchester recruits well to the fore.
Wilmslow won an eight-try cracker at Aspatria, where the Black and Red put their Altrincham debacle behind them to deal from a full deck in selection and come out fighting against the young Wolves. No.8 Ryan Parkinson, one of their many student stars, scored two tries and his hard yards won from the base of the scrum and in the loose easily earned him man of the match. There were tries also for former Macc winger James Watts, the other flyer Jordan Kennedy (a 70-metre interception run), and scrum half Charlie Mulchrone. Ian Roberts and Josh Longmore topped up with conversions and a single penalty to make the 300-mile round trip to Cumbria worthwhile.
Aspatria responded with tries through No.8 David Hume and a brace for flanker Jack Rowe. Fly half Steve Stoddard added three conversions and two penalties.
Joint leaders Sandbach won at Leigh 22-8 and Lymm managed to overcome an improving New Brighton by 14-10.
This week Sandbach entertain Liverpool St Helens while Lymm visit Northwich.
 

Games on Saturday September 12th 2009

Sandbach continued to build on their winning start to the season by beating Burnage narrowly by 13-10. 2 wins from 2 now for the South Cheshire outfit but overtaken by Vale of Lune who claim top spot at this early stage after a big home victory against Blackburn 46-18.
Elsewhere the Wilmslow youngsters went down at home to the more experienced Lymm 14-23. The new Pownal Park clubhouse looked in pristine order in the Autumn sunshine according to our Wilmslow correspondent. Nice to see clubs ploughing money into the fixed assets. Hope that the Wilmslow famous roaring log fire has survived the renovations. Scorers for Wilmslow were Jordan Kennedy and three penalties from fly half Bob MacCallum.
Altrincham Kersal recorded a thumping victory at home to Aspatria 82-3, while Northwich overcame Leigh 25-11. Northwich scorers Chris James, Adam Bown, McKibbin and a pen try with Muntean and Chubb adding the extras. Dave Wood scored Leigh's solitary try with Terry Knapman adding a couple of penalties.
Tyldesley were just edged out 23-22 at home to Broughton Park and Liverpool St Helens won 24-12 at New Brighton.
So, Vale Of Lune, Sandbach and Lymm all have 4 points from 2 games. Next week in round 3 Vale are at Broughton Pk, Sandbach are on the road at Leigh while Lymm entertain New Brighton.
 

Games on Saturday September 5th 2009

Very tight opening games in North One West with no more than 8 points margin between winners and losers on the first Saturday of the enlarged league. Sandbach beat Broughton Park 33-25 and Vale of Lune had an 8 point margin at Aspatria 25-17. Big talking point in the league is the location of last years Manchester Squad players. Several have moved to Sedgeley Park, Macc and Stockport it is rumoured while the rest seem to have found berths at North One West.

Burnage beat Northwich by 22-19 after leading 22-7 at the break. Both teams look good at this stage and there was little between the sides. Ralph Lawson touched down twice and Stuart Oldham added the other for Burnage while Chris Dale got two for Northwich and Chris James the other. Northwich missed a last minute penaly 35yds, wide out to draw the match. Stuart Oldham the home skipper was the man-of-the match. Altrincham Kersal went down at home to Wilmslow 3-6 and rejuvenated Tyldesley came home from Blackburn with a 3 point advantage 20-17.

Leigh lost narrowly at home to New Brighton 17-18 and a similar one point margin, saw Lymm beat Liverpool St Helens.

And what of Manchester who have lost all of these players. Their first National One game of the season at home against Esher saw Manchester’s brave band of mainly teenagers battered by 148-0. That can’t be good for rugby and surely no good for the emerging players either.

Back to North One West and if this weeks results are similarly close then we are in for a really tight season. Pick of this weeks games-Sandbach at home to Burnage.