Wigan U11 v Eccles U11

Players: Both Patricks, Nathan, Harry, James, Harris, Dan, Taylor, Henry, George, Brandan, Cory

Weather: A bit cold

Pitch: Furthest from the club house but in good condition

This week's performance has prompted this reporter to reach for the Rugby Writer's Thesaurus. Brilliant doesn't do it justice. Outstanding isn't quite enough. Amazing doesn't capture the true flavour of the performance. They were exceptional. Superlative. Meritorious. Magnificent. Not to mention inventive, masterly and a bit glorious.

The start of the game was tight as Eccles proved to be well organised and hard to break down. A couple of breakaway tries steadied the nerves. The passes were going to hand and tackles were flying in. The early tries showed a real team performance as they came after every pair of hands on the team had touched the ball in the build up. Nathan was his usual incisive self as he finished off a couple of flowing moves. George was awarded a try despite grounding short ( a loophole as the referee had neglected to explain the parameters of the pitch - an oversight that I guarantee will not be made next week at Southport!) George was outstanding throughout the early stanza. Foraging for loose ball and pounding the line opposition line. Harry and Paddy got "in the mix" and helped to increase the pressure on Eccles. Patrick and James were, as always, brave, direct and physical.

The newer members of the team shone too. Corey looks an excellent mid season acquisition whilst Taylor really looks the part. Yet Henry stole the show with a man of the match performance. Eccles could find no answer to his long rangy stride as he scored two excellent tries. Daniel tackled his heart out and always looks a threat with the ball in his hands.

Three moments stand out though. Firstly, Harris sprinting down the touchline, showing the defender the inside then producing an impossible sidestep to go round him on the outside. Pure class. Then Brandan running over to his mum and saying he needed his scrum cap. The crowd gasping. They've had it now!!! And the tactical masterstroke as Coach Butler positioned Butler junior at stand off for a scrum. "Tell the scrum half what you are going to to do" bellowed Coach Butler. Butler junior mimed a kick. "Oh, don't do that. Do something else!" replied the Coach. Awesome. Keep 'em guessing.

An excellent morning of rugby. Everyone contributed well. The clubhouse had a mezzanine. It did a full English. The current Mrs.Hollins was offered a range of teas. Not just leaf. Everyone ate some chips. Good times.