U13's v Rochdale

It was end-to-end stuff from the start, but it was the visitors who drew first blood with a try in the right corner. Sedgley then had to survive a prolonged attack before breaking out with an individual scoring effort from centre Oliver Carroll. Joe Egan converted and SP led 7-5 at half-time.

Anyone’s game, but the second half opened with an exceptional team try, the ball passing through a dozen pairs of hands and several rucks before Egan darted over from scrum-half.

The conversion made it 14-5. The game was clinched when Jack Cooper ripped the ball clear and the Sedgley backs took full advantage, quick hands and a second try for the strong-running Carroll. Final score: 19-5.

Also at Park Lane, another closely contested game went Sedgley’s way as the under 15s won 10-0. Our lads began well, camped in Rochdale’s half for ten minutes, but to no avail. Instead, it was the visitors who nearly scored.

Sedgley eventually worked their way upfield through strong forward play, and Max Chandler scored in the right corner, Tom Egan adding a fine conversion for a 7-0 half-time lead.

The only score of a closely fought second half was an Egan penalty five minutes from time. Rochdale attacked strongly in the closing seconds but Park hung on.  A good game to watch. Tom Bedlow was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Sedgley’s under 16 team travelled to Rochdale with a pack depleted by County commitments and injury. Players unaccustomed to the starting line-up had to perform, and this they did in a remarkable victory.

Rochdale dominated the opening 20 minutes, camped out on the Sedgley line. Heroic defence kept the score down to 0-10, an early penalty and a forwards’ try near the posts. As half-time approached Sedgley came more into the game and were rewarded with a penalty goal.

A bright start to the second half brought Park another penalty goal, and increasing pressure led to a try for Alex Reilly. The conversion made it 13-10, and Reilly had scored all Sedgley’s points at this point.

Rochdale’s big forwards applied more pressure and the scores were levelled, but the last word went to Sedgley winger Jonathan Marr, who crossed in the corner with three Rochdale defenders hanging on, and to Reilly, who added the touchline conversion for a splendid victory. Final score: 20-13.

The under 14s were also at Rochdale but I have had no report. John Pepworth, who was there with the U16s, believes Sedgley narrowly won. If so, that was a clean sweep for SP, with all four games closely contested.

There was no fixture for the Senior Colts this week, but our Junior Colts took on Fleetwood at Park Lane, on the main pitch.

Fleetwood are near the top of the league, but there was little to choose between the sides. Sedgley missed an early penalty and then conceded a soft try, which was converted.

Prop Jack Giladi brought Park back into the game, picking up a loose ball and showing good pace from about 30 metres. But Fleetwood led 14-5 at half-time as their centre danced through to score between the posts.

The same player scored again early in the second half, but Sedgley kept their heads up, battling in the forwards, Matthew Bradley outstanding at scrum-half. A long period of pressure brought a try for number 8 Todd Keers and, at the final whistle, there was only one score in it: 12-19 was a fair reflection of the game.

SP Colts & Juniors  League & Cup Results & Fixtures 2007/08

Halbro Colts League
http://colts-rugby.org.uk/halbro for full fixtures, results, tables.

Senior Colts (under 19)  Division One
02/09  Altrincham Kersal  (H) L  3- 9
09/09  Preston G’hoppers  (A) D 17-17
23/09  Glossop            (H) L 14-26
30/09  Leigh              (H) W 36-12
07/10  Sandbach           (A) L  3-38
14/10  Kendal             (H) W 19- 3
28/10  Eccles             (A)
04/11  Caldy              (H)
11/11  Chester            (A)
09/12  Kendal             (A)

Junior Colts (under 17) Division Three North
02/09  Blackpool          (A) L 24-68
09/09  Bolton             (A) L  5-10
16/09  Clitheroe          (A) W 67- 0
23/09  Fylde              (H) W 33-27
07/10  Kirkby Lonsdale    (H) postponed 
14/10  Eccles             (A) L 19-29
21/10  Fleetwood          (H) L 12-19
04/11  Bury               (A)
11/11  Warrington         (H)
18/11  Fleetwood          (A)
02/12  Eccles             (H)

Lancashire Junior Challenge
http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/lancashire/JuniorChallenge0708.aspx

Under 16
16/09  Liverpool Coll     (H) W 38-19
07/10  Bolton             (H) W 33- 3
04/11  Ormskirk           (A)

Under 15
16/09  Broughton Park     (A) postponed to Jan
07/10  Bury               (H) L  6-12
04/11  Blackpool          (A)

Under 14
16/09  Fleetwood          (H) W 33- 5
07/10  no game
04/11  Tarleton           (A)

Under 13
16/09  Widnes             (H) L  0-30*
07/10  Vale of Lune       (A) L  5-24
04/11  Warrington         (H) cancelled by Warrington

* denotes ‘reported score’ – under competition rules the score difference must not exceed 30.