Wigan U11 v Ormskirk U11

Players: Both Patricks, some big bloke claiming to be Francis, Nathan, James, Taylor, Daniel, Harris, Brandan, Connor, Harry

Weather: Not raining

Pitch: within a five mile radius of the clubhouse

Pitchside entertainment: Historical re-enactment society recreating what appeared to be the Battle of Marston Moor (1644). One of them was a dead ringer for Prince Rupert of the Rhine.

With the poor weather closing in, the U11s eschewed the trip to Blackburn in favour of the sunnier flatlands of Ormskirk. Any arable farmer will tell you that the South West Lancashire Plain provides excellent drainage in the monsoon season and Coach Butler knew only too well there was a chance of a game.

We made our way over to the pitch (only 15 to 20 minutes at a brisk pace) where we found the ground in excellent condition and an Ormskirk team ready to do battle. The early skirmishes showed Ormskirk to be well organised and tough tacklers. We were penned back in our own 25. Passing was forced and the ball was going to ground. There was a slight incline against us. We needed a plan. It was dead simple really. Tackle as hard as you can and when you get hold of the ball give it to Harris or Nathan who would boot it down the pitch and everyone run after it. And it worked. It put the defenders under pressure. It put the referee (who, by the way, was excellent) under pressure. And it resulted in tries that kept us in the game.

Tries came at regular intervals to keep it close throughout. Nathan scored a typically outrageous interception try whilst Patrick Hollins an even more outrageous try - mainly as it was his first since the opening game of last season! Harris was brilliant, Connor was brave and tackled really well, James and Harry were excellent and drove the ball forward every time, Patrick Horcan was (as he always is) superb in attack and defence,Taylor looks a real find and worked hard to make ground, Daniel (day after his birthday) was his usual assured and reliable self and Francis looked like he had grown about a foot and a half since I saw him last. Man of the match though was Brandan who "put himself about" as only Brandan can. This,only weeks after breaking his elbow.

The game finished 7-7, which was a fair reflection of the morning's efforts.

Post game meal: Hotdog. No fries. Not even curly ones.