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 Our Senior Colts had no game, Chester having cried off the contest. It appears the Chester Colts team has folded, as they and their results have been removed from the Halbro League table.
SP Junior Colts took on league leaders Warrington at Park Lane. Bullish pre-match remarks from manager Chris Molyneux, brand new claret & gold strip, and our lads were under pressure to perform.
They did not disappoint.
This small Warrington side has been running up some big scores, and their backs looked lively in the opening quarter. Sedgley were up for the battle, putting in some big hits and knocking the visitors out of their rhythm. If Warrington had the better of the opening exchanges, it was Sedgley’s big boys who finished the half on top.
For ten minutes we battered at the line, coming very close on one occasion – the referee ruling ‘held up’ – but Warrington survived; 0-0 at half-time.
The second half continued much the same, though with the wind at their backs, now, Warrington had the better of things territorially. Sedgley suffered a blow with a leg injury to scrum-half Matt Bradley, the positional roundabout taking Pete Molyneux from 10 to 9 and Todd Keers, who had had a monster game at 8, to 10.
It took some time for the new arrangement to settle down but Sedgley were on the attack when misfortune struck. Possession was lost, Warrington’s backs found themselves with the ball, in space, for the first time in an hour, and the finish was clinical; all credit to them.
Moments later the final whistle went; 7-0 to Warrington. Sedgley can be proud of their efforts. This much-improved side is still more of a blunt instrument than a sharp sword, but the spirit is good - as it will need to be at Fleetwood next week.
The individual performance of the day was provided by under 16 player Alex Reilly. He scored 25 points, including two tries, in his team’s comfortable 35-5 win at Vale of Lune.
With some of their more experienced players missing through injury or county calls, Sedgley were outweighed up front and struggled to gain supremacy. But they did enough, well led by captain Richard Newman and prop Alex Reilly. The home side were under constant pressure and when stand-off Adam Cheshire found space to speed over for a try it became one-way traffic.
Two tries by Reilly, plus two conversions and three penalty goals, made it 28-0 at half-time.
Vale introduced some stronger players at half-time and Sedgley found them a harder nut to crack. Even so, chances were created which our team failed to capitalise on. Eventually, after several near misses, Newman forced over for a try.
Vale had the last word when, in a rare attacking move, their stand-off dummied his way over.
The under15 match at Bury started badly. From the first minute to nearly half-time Sedgley were camped in their own half. Bury’s handling was poor but our lads were unable to take advantage and the home side eventually ran through for the first score.
Sedgley finally got some good field position towards the end of the half but were unable to take advantage. 0-5 at half-time.
The second half started better for Sedgley, who came close to scoring, but Bury forced them back into their own half and disaster struck when a poor clearance kick went straight into Bury hands for the second try of the game.
Bury continued to make handling errors but they scored another try to leave the final score: Sedgley Park 0 Bury 19. Phil Watt took the Sedgley man-of-the-match award.
In the only Junior game at Park Lane, Sedgley under 14s started the local derby well, scoring a try with their first attack following an up and under from James Wharmby. This was an ominous sign for Bury as Sedgley always looked like scoring when the ball reached their backs.
Bury scrummaged well and stuck to their task despite being at times overwhelmed.
The pleasing aspect for Sedgley was the game time given to a number of lads who are new to the game, which will help in future.
On the first cold morning of the winter so far Sedgley under 13s faced Bury, away. It's been some time since the local "derby" was last played and the atmosphere was terrific, with vocal support for both sides.
Sedgley came out of the blocks the quicker with an initial rumble from the pack finished by Deane Leach. A second Sedgley pack-led try followed shortly afterwards. After such a strong start Sedgley relaxed to their cost and let a strong Bury side back into the game.
The second half was fast and physical to the end, with both teams playing attacking rugby but defending well under pressure. Excellent predatory performance came from Andrew Shaw at flanker, with notable support and big hits from Andrew Duffy out of the second row. Sedgley took the advantage once again through two breakaway tries from Oliver Carroll and Ty Newall, plus a terrific team try showing swift ball handling through the backs, orchestrated by Sam Turner and finished by Joe Leader in the corner.
The final whistle came a little too quickly for Bury who were once again applying serious pressure on Sedgley's line. A breathless game for players and spectators alike. Final score: Bury 20 Sedgley Park 38.
My thanks to all who contributed to this report. We seem to be unable to get coverage in the local press, but perhaps this matters less now that the website is properly up and running. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Scoop
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) postponed
04/11 Caldy (H) D 14-14
11/11 Chester (A) cancelled
09/12 Kendal (A)
16/12 Sandbach (H)
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) W 24-13
11/11 Warrington (H) L 0- 7
18/11 Fleetwood (A)
02/12 Eccles (H)
09/12 Kirkby Lonsdale (A)
Lancashire Junior Challenge
http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/lancashire/JuniorChallenge0708.aspx
Under 16
16/09 Liverpool Collegiate (H) W 38-19
07/10 Bolton (H) W 33- 3
04/11 Ormskirk (A) L 3-33*
Under 15
16/09 Broughton Park (A) postponed to January
07/10 Bury (H) L 6-12
04/11 Blackpool (A) W walkover
Under 14
16/09 Fleetwood (H) W 33- 5
04/11 Tarleton (A) W 19- 0
18/11 Southport (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
18/11 Fleetwood (A)
* denotes ‘reported score’ – under competition rules the score difference must not exceed 30.
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