There was some fine rugby played in a well refereed game, with Sedgley looking perhaps marginally the better side. However, crucial SP mistakes at either end resulted in a try being missed and allowed Eccles in for two scores, both converted. We had also given away too many needless penalties; 0-14 at half-time.

Sedgley came back strongly with a try by Dom Köhler, converted by Tom Leader, but Eccles extended their lead to 10 points with a penalty goal. Sedgley continued to do most of the pressing and a driven try by the pack resulted, Owen Jackson at the bottom of the pile; the conversion set up a thrilling finish.

There was no further scoring, though, and Sedgley finally lost 14-17.

Sadly our team was unable to fulfil its final league fixture on Sunday, away at Kendal. Cup competitions follow.

Our Junior Colts travelled to Eccles on Sunday for a rare friendly fixture, but this particular species has become even rarer as Eccles failed to field a team. With team-spirit high, currently, and long may it last, our boys returned to Park Lane with enough numbers for a 3-team sevens competition, which looked like good fun for the players.

Two of our Junior teams travelled to the European City of Culture on Sunday, the under 15s to Waterloo and the under14s to Sefton.

Sedgley started the U15 game well, despite going an early score down, and they continued to play some good rugby until Waterloo scored again. But by half-time the home side led 24-0.

From the restart Sedgley began to take the game to Waterloo and after some good moves winger Tom Gatliff drove over the line for a well deserved score, with Tom Egan adding the conversion. Waterloo, though, were too strong and finally ran out (reported) 37-7 winners, which gives the impression that we were ‘stuffed’ when, in fact, the losing margin was only just over the politically correct 30 points.

SP man of the match was Sam Owen.

Our under 14s played a big if inexperienced Sefton side. Sedgley played well in a hard fought game and finally won 22-0, with tries by Dominic Barrow (2), Robert Rigby and James Jackson.

Neither of the teams travelling to Liverpool were overly impressed with the refereeing there, but (as usual) there could be no complaints from anyone sensible about the two refs at Park Lane. (I did meet a guy at the Colts game on Wednesday evening who said the referee was totally rubbish, but then admitted he himself didn’t know any of the Laws of the Game. Keep taking the pills, mate!)

Nic Brotherton was the man with the whistle for the under16s against Glossop. Our boys looked the better side in a well contested game but we made too many errors, tactical and handling.

The result was that we were scarcely able to string three phases of play together, and the inevitable happened when Glossop, who had tackled well, broke away to score. Sedgley pulled it back to 3-5 with an Alex Reilly penalty, the last kick of the first half.

Sedgley improved in the second half, changing tactics and using the kick to turn the Glossop defenders. Midway through the half Park took the lead when Ryan Purcell ran on to a short pass to score a try which Reilly converted.

The best was left to the end. A fluent build-up gave Jonny Marr a chance to go for the corner, and the powerful Sedgley winger did just that; an excellent finish, in both senses.

Final score 15-5 to Sedgley, with Tom Quinn man of the match.

Leaving the best till last, our under 13s faced Waterloo in a game that will live long in the memory of those who saw it and those who were lucky enough to play in it. Des Henry was the referee who made it possible.

It was hard to believe that these were kids of only 12 and 13, such was the quality of play from both teams. Of course, there were ‘junior moments’ such as when Sedgley played pass-the-parcel on their own line to give away a try, but the overall standard of play and tactical awareness was amazing. Nor was it all pretty-pretty; there was plenty of fierce physical contact.

Six tries were scored in the first half, the ‘silly’ one just before half-time giving Waterloo a 24-14 lead. But Park came back with two converted tries to take the lead 28-24. It was fitting that the deciding try should be a good one, and it was, a cleverly weighted kick resulting in a score for the visitors.

A late penalty goal made it 32-28 to Waterloo. The Sedgley lads looked gutted but spirits were quickly raised by the managers. I understand the two teams may meet again in the Lancashire Plate, but I won’t see it as my camera and I are off to New Zealand to watch some cricket.

I’ve been sent a report by Dean Leech, the under 13 captain.

Sedgley under 13s team were narrowly defeated on Sunday after a excellent effort by all. Waterloo scored the first try early in the game, but seconds later Dean Leech scored one back for Sedgley, followed by a brilliant conversion by Joe Egan. Waterloo then pulled off another 3 tries and Sedgley felt the force of them.

The second half saw Sedgley coming out more determined and they managed to touch down another two tries by Ollie Carroll and Jack Williams also both conversions found the middle of the posts, making their team proud, Joe Egan proved to be a great kicker. These tries making Sedgley closer to Waterloos 24 points.

Dean made a quick decision switching from prop to number 8 to score Sedgley’s last try putting them in the lead but celebrations came too early when in the closing minutes of the match Waterloo managed a lucky try making the final whistle a bitter blow for the lads who never tired and fought to the end.

Man of the match was Dean Leech

I believe they also play some rugby down in NZ, so I might catch a game of that also.

Meanwhile, please send any reports to the website; if 13-year-old Dean can do it, so can you. Best of luck to all our teams.

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
04/11  Caldy             (H) D 14-14
11/11  Chester           (A) cancelled
09/12  Kendal            (A) postponed
16/12  Sandbach          (H) L  0-36
23/12  Leigh             (A) postponed
30/12  Eccles            (A) W 28-17
06/01  Glossop           (A) L  7-33
13/01  Preston G’hoppers (H) W 25- 8
20/01  Eccles            (H) postponed
27/01  Altrincham Kersal (A) L 25-34
13/02  Leigh             (A) at Park Lane
17/02  Caldy             (A) cancelled
20/02  Eccles            (H) L 14-17
24/02  Kendal            (A) cancelled 

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 Void
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*)L  0- 3 *played away
09/12  Kirkby Lonsdale   (A) L  0-49
16/12  Kirkby Lonsdale   (H) postponed
06/01  Fylde             (A) L  0-27
13/01  Bolton            (H) W 15- 5
20/01  Blackpool         (H) postponed 
27/01  Kirkby Lonsdale   (H) L  0-12
03/02  Blackpool         (H) W 14- 7
10/02  Warrington        (A) L  7-37
17/02  Bury              (H) W 27- 0  

Lancashire Colts Cups
http://clubs.rfu.com/Clubs/portals/lancashire/LancashireRugbyColtsSectionCup.aspx

Under 19
25/11  Waterloo (A) W 17-12
03/02  Widnes   (H) L  6-22 played away

Under 17
25/11  Waterloo (A) L  0-43

Blacksticks Blue 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) L  3-33*
16/12  Manchester     (H) W 31- 5
03/02  Preston G      (A) L 10-18

Challenge Cup
02/03  Sefton         (A) 

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) L  5-21
13/01  Broughton Park (A) W 30- 0*
03/02  Tyldesley      (H) W 31-11

Junior Vase
02/03  B'burn/Fleet'd (H)

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) W 12-10
13/01  Aldwinians     (H) L  0-14
03/02  Fylde          (H) L 14-24

Play-Off (for Cup or Plate)
17/02  Warrington     (H) W 30- 0*

Challenge Cup
02/03  Manchester     (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 SH   (H) W 30- 0*
13/01  Preston G      (A) L  0-30*

Junior Plate
02/03  Southport      (A) 

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