Sat, April 3rd, 2010
North One West
BLACKBURN 13 WILMSLOW 32
WILMSLOW dug deep to beat basement boys Blackburn – so deep, they first descended to their opponents’ level of play before a second half rally produced the required result.
And even then, an interception try from Blackburn flattered their score.
“To say we were poor in the first half is an understatement,” said coach Giles Heagerty. “We produced some of the worst rugby we have played all season.
“It took a half time roasting to bring them round, but it was not the best preparation for our last game of the season against Altrincham Kersal at home – a side pushing for promotion.”
Worse still, the Wolves have again lost the services of influential back three player Ben Day – only just back from a long lay-off for a hernia – who hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
Two tries for scrum half Charlie Mulchrone and touchdowns by No.8 Danny Jones and prop Jack Walmsley were rounded off by three conversions and two penalties from the boot of Bob MacCallum to claim the points that keep Wilmslow at 6th in North One West.
The first half last Saturday is best forgotten, with the lowlights including another yellow card for lock forward Rob Cowley, easily a candidate for Wilmslow’s player of the year. His return to form, fitness and commitment cannot be faulted – the latter earning him rest time in the bin just a touch too often.
Only a penalty from Bob MacCallum kept the visitors in touch with two home penalties that gave Blackburn a 6-3 half time lead.
Scrum half Mulchrone ignited the second half comeback with a try on 43 minutes converted by full back MacCallum. Jones crossed seven minutes later, again converted by MacCallum, and Mulchrone bagged his second converted try on 72 minutes after MacCallum had added a penalty. Prop Walmsley crossed wide out to tir up Wilmslow’s 32-point tally with an unconverted try.
All in all, the Wolveswere quicker to the tackle and the breakdown, conceded fewer penalties and were generally smarter in the second half.
They will have to raise their game considerably to give Altrincham Kersal a contest at Pownall Park on Saturday – a team anxious to avenge Wilmslow’s titanic, season-opening 6-3 victory at Stelfox Avenue last September. Alt-Kersal won 29-7 against Burnage at the weekend.
The Wolves should be able to welcome back some players from injury and availability to help bring the curtain down on the 2009/10 season in some style.
Said Heagerty: “We looked de-mob happy in the first half last week and some of the lads looked tired. That was not the best preparation if we want to end the season on a high. Fair play to Blackburn, they went down fighting, but we can – and will – do better against Altrincham on Saturday.”
Heagerty praised the rejuvenated Cowley for his contribution to the game and his influential display in the engine room, and rising front row star Ollie Longmore, a young bruiser who seldom takes a backward step and stands tall in the face of adversity.
“Blackburn played some decent stuff,” said Heagerty, “but I think we allowed the fact that they are bottom of the league to affect the way we played. And the referee did not let the game flow.
“But things came together in the second half after a half time kick up the backside – even so, we made hard work of it. Nevertheless, I believe we can end the season next Saturday with a smile on our faces.”