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 This was Round 4 of the Lancashire Challenge for our Junior teams, though only two of them were involved this week.
The under 13s travelled to bitterly cold, wind-battered Fleetwood, where Sedgley won 37-7*.
Early play was even, with both sides making handling mistakes in the middle of the park. First blood came to Sedgley, Ty Newall forcing through the Fleetwood back-line at pace to score.
The scrums were also even, however the handling along the Sedgley line demonstrated clear objectives to outflank Fleetwood. Towards the interval opportunity came with a skilful through-kick along the touchline by Kieran Tierney, though this went unrewarded. The scene was being set for speedy incursions through the Fleetwood defensive lines by the Sedgley backs, with a brace of tries each from Sam Turner and Oliver Carroll.
It was not all Sedgley Park's way, with Fleetwood also applying pressure in the middle of the park and gaining on occasions some well deserved ground. Sedgley pack secured the foundation for this convincing win at the breakdowns, allowing the backs to drive home the advantage.
Dean Leech and Joe Egan were the other scorers in a well deserved win. It would be a pity if the two early-season defeats should keep our boys out of the main knock-out competition, but if that does prove the case, minor silverware is a real possibility!
Also away from home in the Lancashire Competition were our under 14 team, who won 30-0* at Southport, maintaining a 100% start to their campaign. Sedgley scored early on through Aarron Haslam after defending stoutly on their own line, with Stephen Cornell making a vital try-saving tackle.
Southport had plenty of possession in their forwards but could not create a try. Whilst Sedgley worked hard in the forwards, the difference between the teams was in the strength of the Sedgley backs which ensured at times they scored after being under pressure in their own half. On occasions the handling and recycling by Sedgley were excellent. Further tries by Jack Faulkner, Sam Horrocks and James Wharmby ensured victory.
The score did not reflect Southport’s efforts.
Despite their good start in the Lancashire Challenge, how far the U14s progress depends on their next three games against Ormskirk, Aldwinians and Fylde who have all started as well as Sedgley.
(*Reported score under competition rules.)
The two managers’ reports almost read like different views of the same game. Anyway, well done, both teams! All four of our Junior sides are in Round 5 Challenge action on December 16th.
The under 15s had a friendly fixture at Tyldesley.
Sedgley started the game well, working their way into promising field position only to be denied by good defending from the opposition. At the 15-minute mark Sedgley broke through the Tyldesley defence for the opening score of the game from Tom Egan. Sedgley continued to dominate the game through good scrums and rucks and mauls, but the half ended at 5-0.
The second half started with more Sedgley pressure which finally took its toll on Tyldesley when 16mins into the half Cormac McGivney got the ball on the halfway line and sprinted down the right wing for the second try of the match. 10-0, but from the restart Sedgley gave away a soft try in the corner.
The next 10 minutes was back and forth until Sedgley, 2 minutes from time, worked the ball down the right wing for Tom Bedlow to score the final try of the game; Tom Egan converted.
Final Score Tyldesley 5 Sedgley Park 17
Sedgley Man of the Match Tom Gardner
Our under 16s were also without a Challenge match, and when the Park Lane pitches were declared unfit they were without the scheduled home friendly fixture against Tarleton too.
Fortunately, on the previous Wednesday evening the team had played local school Woodhey, under lights on the main pitch. This was a thoroughly enjoyable contest in which Howard Turner’s school team showed ability and organisation, enough to extend the Sedgley boys but without the firepower to beat them, though they did manage an interception try.
Sedgley scored a couple of early tries, and more in the final quarter. With (or despite) opposing players being well known to one another the match was played in a great spirit, as testified by Mike Leader who refereed it. We need more games of this sort.
Finally, the under 17 Junior Colts travelled to Fleetwood, second in the league, where we lost 12-14; in the end, a post-hitting touchline conversion was all that separated the sides.
After an even first 20, events took a turn for the worse. Missed tackles led to a converted try, and then a couple of players were lost to injury, with a subsequent reshuffle. Our lads will be getting used to this, however, and the fighting spirit brought a try to Todd Keers and levelled the scores 7-7 before half-time.
Fleetwood took the lead again, 14-7, but Sedgley used their forward power to push the home side back before lock Danny Thorpe scored in the corner; Matty Bradley’s conversion attempt hit a post.
So that’s narrow defeats in successive weeks against the top two teams. It will not be any easier this coming Sunday as the team travels to Waterloo for a 1st Round Lancashire Colts Cup match. Waterloo are a league higher than Sedgley and are doing quite well in it. Just the ingredients for an upset……
By an odd coincidence, our under 19 Senior Colts, who had no game this Sunday, are also drawn away at Waterloo in the County Cup this coming weekend.
SP Colts & Juniors League & Cup Results & Fixtures 2007/08
Halbro Colts League
http://colts-rugby.org.uk/halbro for full fixtures, results, tables.
Under 19 (Senior Colts League A)
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)
23/12 Leigh (A)
30/12 Eccles (A)
06/01 Glossop (A)
Under 17 (Junior Colts League C 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) L 12-14
02/12 Eccles (H)
09/12 Kirkby Lonsdale (A)
16/12 Kirkby Lonsdale (H)
06/01 Fylde (A)
Lancashire Colts Cups
http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/lancashire/LancashireRugbyColtsSectionCup.aspx
Under 19
25/11 Waterloo (A)
Under 17
25/11 Waterloo (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*
16/12 Manchester (H)
Under 15
16/09 Broughton Park (A) postponed to January
07/10 Bury (H) L 6-12
04/11 Blackpool (A) W walkover
16/12 Bolton (A)
Under 14
16/09 Fleetwood (H) W 33- 5
04/11 Tarleton (A) W 19- 0
18/11 Southport (A) W 30- 0*
16/12 Ormskirk (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) W 37- 7*
16/12 Liverpool St Helens (H)
* denotes ‘reported score’ – under competition rules the score difference must not exceed 30.
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