Saturday 27th. February

North One West

New Brighton 27 – 23 Wilmslow

David Pike writes:

In the end, the Wolves were just not able to summon up sufficient composure in the final few frantic minutes to preserve their four-match winning streak . But in conceding four tries and failing to subdue the limited forward-oriented game of their opponents, they can have few complaints at the outcome.

They will have travelled down the M56 to Leasowe on the Wirral full of confidence.  The pack which had performed so well in recent weeks showed only one change, Jamie Thomas coming in at No. 6 for the influential Tom Noot, injured playing mid week for his university side.

In the backs, though, only Charlie Mulchrone, Josh Longmore and Chris Lee were present in the same positions as last week.  Bob MacCallum, returned from the skiing slopes, was called up at full back, Rick Chadwick was partnered with Lee in the centre, James Conville moved to the right wing and there was a debut for the High School captain, Elliot Brierly on the left wing.

For New Brighton, hovering perilously close to the relegation zone without a win since before Christmas, this was crunch time.  They scored three times in the first quarter with a pick and drive after just five minutes from hooker Philip Buckley and this was followed by second row Keith Mahon finding the space twice to trundle in unopposed from the Wilmslow twenty two.  Before half time, the Fijian second row Teviita Liku had  the ball wrestled from him as he ran round to touch down under the posts and then what looked a perfectly good score from their Fijian captain Kati Tuipuloto was ruled out by referee Mark Jackson.

It wasn’t all one way traffic as MacCallum kicked two penalties and then converted a smart try from Brierly, finishing off a crisp piece of handling.  The first forty, however, was dominated by the abrasive NB forwards.  Rock solid in scrum and lineout, they didn’t have any other strategy than to drive and roll around the fringes and this was so effective that they didn’t need a plan B.  Moving the ball out wide was just not in their repertoire.

Despite their resistance, the Wolves  were just battered backwards and at the break were 22-13 adrift.  It could easily have been so much worse.

The second half saw a different game.  NB were still masters of maintaining possession in the forward drive but they could hardly get out of their own half and in their frustration Loa Tupou and Tuipuloto were in succession yellow carded for persistent ruck and maul offences.  The Wolves increased their tempo and eight minutes into the half, the substantial bulk of prop Jack Walmsley charged down a poor clearing kick and Mike Clifford won the race for the touchdown.  Almost immediately a muddle in Wilmslow’s midfield defence followed and allowed NB their fourth try.

Thereafter, the Wolves dominated territory but only had a further MacCallum penalty to show for it.  Conville was ruled not to have touched down properly, Lee and Chadwick both ran hard, Mulchrone buzzed as he always does but stout uncompromising NB defence closed down several promising moves and half chances.  And then the Wolves lost Ryan Parkinson, who was stretchered off with what transpires to be a torn hamstring.

It was one of those days.  The Wolves clearly possessed far more pace and invention in the backs than their opponents and up front the pack lasted the duration without ever completely mastering Tuipuloto and company.  The side will be kicking its self for letting this one go but in shipping twenty early points, they left themselves with just too much to do.

Saturday 20^th February 2010

Miller Home League 5 South

ASHTON-ON-MERSEY 3^RD XV – 0   WILMSLOW HAWKS – 76     

A cold, sunny day saw Wilmslow Hawks Development Squad take to a heavy pitch for a re-match against mid table Ashton-on-Mersey 3^rd XV, their 1^st match the last 4 weeks and only their 2^nd game since late December 2009. There was some concern that, as a team, they were out of match practise, so we were determined to try to start well.

This they did, right from the kick off.  Despite some spirited tackling from Ashton, the Hawks showed their determination with some excellent rucking and mauling, which scrum half Dan Hargreaves used to good effect, directing the forwards very well in their efforts.  The backs were well directed by Liam O’Donohoe, with a few well placed kicks for the backs to run on to, as well as well distributed passing down the line.

The first break through came with strong forward play, culminating in captain Matt “Yip Yap” Hamilton going over the line, from a few metres out (possibly 20 meters if you hear this from Yip Yap!) the team’s first try of the game and his second of the season, the break in rugby obviously doing his determination some good. This was converted by Rob “Jonesy” Jones who was also in good form.

Another try followed quite quickly, from the backs this time, with Gareth Jacques breaking through the Ashton defence to go over to the right of the posts, which was once again converted by Jonesy.

An excellent pass from Dan Hargreaves from the base of a ruck placed the ball in Liam O’Donohoe’s hands as he took the ball at pace, giving the Ashton defence no chance of stopping him from 15 metres out. No conversion this time.

Dan Hargreaves obviously decided it was time he stopped giving others the opportunities and with some good sniping and strong running, saw him scoring the next 2 tries, both of which were converted.  Half time with the Hawks leading 33 – Nil. 

It must be pointed out at this time that one of the hardest working and most active players on the pitch in the first half was Ben “Benno” Eckroyd who, through hard play and generosity assisted in 2 tries directly and was instrumental in some great flanker play, both in defence with his tackling and in attack with his support running.  He was subbed at half time due to an ankle injury, but he certainly left his mark on the game, narrowly missing out on man of the match award.

Several other changes were made at half time to allow the full team a good run out, and the new players slotted into the team right from the kick off.  The opening try of this half was scored by George Camamile, who appeared to have left his hands in the changing rooms, having dropped a number of passes in the first half – the worst case of “jug avoidance” in that he should have had at least 4 tries at this point, a couple being relatively easy run ins.  However, he decided to do things the hard way, taking the ball in his own half, cutting inside and running through the Ashton pack, with a few impressive palm offs, before outstripping the chasing Aston backs to go over for his one and only try of the game. A great individual effort and try.  It didn’t stop him from being awarded the “Dick of the Day”!

The next 2 tries came from new incumbents in the second half, Nigel Brierley from outside centre (in place of injured Joel Williamson) and Si Bullock from Prop (having replaced Will Fewkes at half time).  Nigel was passed the ball on the burst, just inside the 22 and was not going to ne stopped from there.  Si Bullock carried over from a little closer, Ashton again finding it difficult to stop him from close in.

Dan Hargreaves decided a jug was worth the effort by scoring his third try of the day, closely followed by a typical try from Steven Beard, who side stepped his way through a couple of defenders to run round the remaining fullback and score to the left of the posts.

Two things of note here.  At half time, Ashton-on-Mersey were unfortunate to lose a player through injury and acknowledgement should go to Fraser Sinclair, the Hawks top try scorer this season, who, having been substituted at half time, volunteered to play for Ashton, helping bolster their defence a little.

The biggest mention of the day should go to young colt Alex Taylor who, at 17 years of age, worked tirelessly throughout the whole game from Flanker, harrying and tackling the Ashton opposition throughout their team, from beginning to end of the game. Totally fearless and full of enthusiasm, he was a very worthy winner of the Man of the Match award.

Aman Sandhu scored his 2^nd try of the season for the Hawks with a typical aggressive breakthrough, just under the posts.  This was closely followed by the try of the day from Peter “Dukey” Dukes who, following some great support running and excellent handling, took the ball at pace to out run the covering tacklers from Ashton, to score near the corner. 

An excellent end to a great days rugby. Whatever concerns the Hawks may have felt at the beginning of the game about lack of matches over the last few weeks, were eradicated by the day’s efforts.  Great ball carrying from players like Big Al McLennan and others, with strong support play, good running and great rucking and mauling meant it was a complete team effort.  Mistakes were made, but overall, an extremely competent display, one which should bode well for games to come.  Watch out Division 5 South, the Hawks are back on the wing and in full flight!