Wigan U9 v Ashton on Mersey U9

Players: Both Patricks, Nathan, Dan , George, Chris, Harry, Levi, Connor, Kian, James, Brandan

Weather: Blustery

Pitch: Firm

The Under 9s travelled to Carrington this week in an attempt to kick start their season. The promise of the early weeks was in danger of being lost and a good performance was crucial. Bravely the boys stepped up to the mark and put their season back on track.

Coach Butler had a selection headache as twelve players turned up. Whispers in the crowd (mainly from me) suggested that the Wigan outfit don't perform well in the stop start of a game with lots of substitutions. These fears turned out to be unfounded and just plain wrong as Coach Butler (always one step ahead) pulled a tactical rabbit out the hat and kept the team intact for as long as possible.

Indeed the opening stanza was as impressive a performance as we have produced in what has already been a season of impressive performances. The tackling was excellent, the organisation was good, the passing was crisp and accurate and we raced into an early four try lead. Nathan was his usual quicksilver best, Brandan as always tigerish and Patrick Horcan commanding in his drives up the pitch. At the turnaround we lead 4-1, but handling errors started to creep in. Connor glided over for a couple of tries with James showing really impressive determination and considerable skill. Some loose play allowed Ashton to creep back into the game but we managed to win comfortably enough 8-6.

The second game was a tighter affair. Butler rang the changes and will have learned a lot about the character of his young charges. Ashton seemed to have warmed up considerably and unleashed some strong runners. However Wigan stuck at it and stayed in front throughout. Daniel, back to his best after the savaging of last week (from his dad!) cruised over for a much deserved try - a reward for his brave tackling and creative passing. Harry and Levi never took a backward step and kept probing the opposition defence. Chris scored a brilliant try from distance which capped an impressive display. Likewise Kian, who looked full of running scored a memorable try late on.

Yet one move summed up the heart and endeavour of all the boys. A move that started deep in Wigan territory. Staunch defence. Hearts like lions. Suddenly George (lionhearted) set off on a breathtaking run. He covered most of the length of the pitch, swatting off defenders like flies on the dusty Savannah. Strength, heart, speed. Until finally he was hunted down by the pack. Brought to his knees inches from the opposition line. The distinguished referee (who I thought did really well despite what everyone else was saying) shouted to play the ball. The crowd held its breath. Surely George would score? He deserved the try. Then, like the shop keeper in Mr.Ben, Patrick Hollins appeared. Took the ball off George and scored from all of 6 inches. The bloody chancer.

We ran out winners 6-3 (14-9 on aggregate). A much deserved result for the boys who put last week's performance behind them. No one typified this turnaround more than Man of the Match Patrick Hollins, who, having performed last week like Mario Balotelli,was more like Luis Suarez this week. Sort of.

All we need to do now is to address our Douglas Valley hoodoo and start winning on our own paddock. In his post match press conference Coach Butler mused as to whether parents might set off earlier for home matches. Drive up and down the motorway for a bit. Deliberately take a wrong turn or two, thereby recreating the feel of the away fixture. Just a thought.

Man of the Match - Patrick Hollins

Post Match Meal - Chips, hotdog, ketchup, salt, can of Coke, followed by some blue sweets - (healthy eaters need not apply)