Last Minute Saviors West Park RUFC U14's

20th November 2016 U14’s vs West Park RUFC (a)

This reporter was looking forward to a trip to the seaside today at Lytham St Annes, but as last week our supposed hosts cried off late on leaving us without a match. West Park RUFC U14’s to the rescue, thanks to them and a last minute offer to host us a fixture was back on, thanks very much to them.

After a prompt 11am kick off Wigan soon made their mark, a great running catch from the kick off by Kieron made good ground up field and with some good interplay Logan ended up barging through for the first try after only a minute, unfortunately missing in an attempt to convert his own try.

Another followed only a couple of minutes later, good recycling of the ball and driving up the pitch this time Billy picking up to score on the right, he also missing the conversion attempt.

The opposition tried to regroup after the early onslaught, struggled and were soon penalised for a high tackle on Ben, although the West Park player seemed to be the one hurt. A little loss of discipline saw Wigan penalised and losing another 10m due to back chat to the ref. The Wigan defence remained strong, managed to turn the ball over and drive up field. A nice break by Sam C well backed up by Toby saw the West Park full back uncertain of who to go for. A great step from Sam saw him past and in for Wigan’s third, which he duly converted.

The next restart didn’t go the full 10m so Wigan took the scrum back. There followed a short period of dropping the ball in attack which slowed the flow down, but such was the dominance of the pack, scrums were won often against the head. In Sam Ps absence Isaac stood up to the challenge and hooked well with Tim and Ethan at prop, Louis and Toby great in the second row with Xander, Ben, Jacob and Max back row completing a formidable scrum.

The team slowly got their rhythm back and after some good drives up field a blind side move saw Kieron burst through the defence for Wigan’s next, this time Logan missing the conversion.

From the restart Wigan moved the ball well back up the field only to be penalised for lying on the ball. The resulting kick for touch by the oppositions “big lad” was misjudged, well picked up by Billy, the resulting mercurial footwork and speed saw him return the kick “with interest” and score in the left corner, his conversion attempt not far off.

The next restart again saw another great running catch and run, this time by Tom, blasted through only to be brought down just short of the try line, but quick recycling from the ever present support saw Louis take the honours, duly converted by Sam C.
The opposition were a bit under the cosh, and after next restart the West Park’s “big lad” had a bit of a go at our captain. A bit of “afters” broke out – a minor fracas. The ref sensibly blew up for half time a few minutes early to enable tempers to calm down.
Half time Wigan 34-0.

The second half got underway and not long before the first line out of the game. Wigan won that on progressed up the pitch but knocked on. Wigan duly won that scrum was won and worked well through the backs, Logan, Tom, Samson, Joe and finally to Sam L, who crossed the line and ran it under the posts before spilling it! DOH!

Scrum 5 for West Park, Wigan kept on the pressure and a great little sniping short run from Sam C saw him sneak in at the corner. Kieron “Pat Richards” R attempted the conversion and coped well with the barracking from the parents, but was well wide.
Three minutes later the backs stretched the opposition again and Billy passed unselfishly to Sam L, who this time crossed the line and made the points safe. This time Samson had a go at the conversion and missed.

Another try followed soon after, the oppositions head well down, but disciplined driving quick recycling and passing from Wigan resulted in Billy’s hat trick, well converted by Toby this time.

The next try followed a good kick and chase from the backs, only thwarted by the ball running into touch 5m short of the line, however Wigan regained the ball and Kieron barged over for his second, this time converted by Ben.
Another kick chase saw Billy come up just short, this time however the recycling saw Toby over for the try, converted by Sam.

Final score 65-0

MOM - Ethan
Sausage Award – Sam L

Well played Wigan. Another good team performance with Wigan proving too strong for the opposition. Some lack of discipline crept in as the game progressed which should be eradicated, I’m sure the coaching staff will address that at training. We will meet stronger opponents and will need to be disciplined.
Thanks once again to West Park for having us.

Team – Samson, Sam C, Max, Kieron, Ben, Logan, Billy, Ethan, Xander, Jacob W, Tim, Toby, Joe, Isaac, Louis, Tom, Sam L, Jacob W