The Pie's The Limited For U9s

Thank you to guest columnist, Mike Smith, for his contribution this week

At the weekend, the Wigan U9s team crossed the border for the second time this month, into the land of the lobbies and were met with everything bar 01942 and the postcode.

The end result was some really even matches epitomised by teamwork with every player stepping up and tackling like their crust depended on it.

The first match for Nick & Jonny’s Team was a well-matched affair versus Leigh with great offloads by Toby, Archie, Sam and Henry proving enough to release Kian, Wilson, Harry and Finlay for tries – with Kian’s second try giving Wigan the edge. For much of the game Wigan passed the ball around like a hot potato, meeting their opponents head-on with some well-timed runs.

Bob and Wayne’s team also had a close first game - with Max’s timely offloads and passing, and Sonny’s tries being the difference between the two sides. Noah, George, Benito, Lukus, Jack and Tom held firm in defence despite a strong Tyldesley team, and all eight lads played as if there was a lot at steak, pudding themselves in front of their opponents, and never chickening out of tackles despite there being not mushroom on the small pitch.

The second match for Nick & Jonny’s team was against the hosts and the narrow pitch meant the game was much more up-close and personal, and the whole team’s tackling was again great to see with special defensive efforts from Wilson and Toby – who both stood out in an impressive team performance. They allowed their opponent’s nothing from the game – not a sausage - and every member of the team knew their roll: Sam’s sidesteps, Archie’s offloads, Henry’s bursting runs, Finlay’s fearlessness in defence and attack and Harry’s marshalling of the team, allowed Kian time and space to bulldoze, gallop and smash his way over for a brace of tries that eventually left the Tyldesley team eating humble pie.

In their second game – this time against Leigh - Bob & Wayne’s team carried on where they’d left off in the previous match, as Max pasty ball allowing Sonny to score a pan-full –whilst Noah and George were elusive going forwards and tackled well, and Benito, Lukus, Jack and Tom all worked hard in support, often proving to be too hot (pot) to handle with the ball in hand.

In summary, some very accomplished performances against really good opposition, and it’s warming to see the Pooles of rugby talent in our borough.

Man of The Match Awards: Sonny & Wilson