One point in it

All of us do not have equal talents, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents (JFK)
It obvious when you watch any game of rugby that some players are better then others at certain things – your average Winger wouldn’t fancy a shift in the front row and most tight heads get a little agoraphobic when the space opens up b4 them. Rugby with the various positions and variety of builds is in fact a game built upon finding mismatches and turning that to your advantage. The important thing is that everyone gets a chance to shine.
Simon welcomed us to Winnington Park on a rather damp morning in Northwich. We’d had a good natter over the recent weeks to work on how we wanted to work things and were committed to three sessions, lots of game time for all and the result would be what it was – some numbers on a bit of paper. Looking at previous fixtures we thought things would be close, and boy were we right.
Most of us arrived by the 10.15 meet time. Some notable exceptions, please can we make every effort to get along and be ready to start at 10.30, that means arriving and getting boots on at 10.15. Public service announcement over .

Both Saints and Park have a similar setup with a core group of experienced rugby veterans (age 12 & 13?) and a fair number of lads in their first season or two. We both recognised its paramount to fulfil the ambitions of both groups of players – it takes a bit of thought but its not a difficult as Landing a Pig on Mars....?!
Ian, Chris, Brendan and Conal put the lads through a thorough warm-up. We worked hard on Tues nite and on Sunday on the contact area and in particular the ruck/maul. Lack of skill and commitment last week had seen us on the wrong side of the score to Sandbach. We were determined to get at least 50/50 possession this week. The lads listen and worked hard in training – could they take in into the game setting? Tackling was also high on the agenda. Not cos we have let things slip but it was obvious that Park had a large set of players many of whom were blessed with size and pace – always a tricky combination to play against. First up tackles would be important – an in fact were what kept the game so tight.
The first session would see the lads newer to the game getting hands on the leather pill first. Jack debut at 10 and looked handy and Rory & Peter got a start in the backrow and took the training ground drills straight into the match setting – well done lads.

The initial exchanges were a sign of things to come. Direct and force full both teams took the ball into contact and recycled it well. Both teams move the ball wide and if it had not been for the odd loose pass then the wingers would have scored a boatload of tries in the first 10mins. As it was Saints turned over Park a couple of times in their own 22 and went the length of the pitch on the counter attack. We went 0:7 up early on, it would have been 0:14 if someone had remembered to keep 2 hands on the ball as he went over the line...! We made a couple of changes to make sure things were balanced and the lads all took on the load. Park came back strongly and scored a decent try but couldn’t get the extras. From the kickoff the Park front row slipped the ball out wide and bashed through some strong but not firm enough Saints hits. It was a great try and everyone from both teams cheered on the front row union as they went in from the half way line.

As with Helsby a few weeks ago, a few of the lads were waiting for other people to take on the ball. It dawned upon them that it was they who needed to man up and get into the action. Lordy - did they do so, Rory and Pete started believing they could out ruck the Park lads and often came up with the ball. Tom O at 14 put in some hits that an England elite player would have had his agent popping on U-tube to show off his skills! Sam and Jack formed a new and interesting half back paring, that saw Adam and Mike make decent ground – Mike in particular went on one mazy run through the middle that had the crowd cheering. Nathan was sure at the back. Park kicked a lot of ball at him and after missing the first one he bagged the rest like an Aussie rules player (thats a massive complement by the way...). Andy and the two Matts punched holes in the scrum and loose and made important yards when we needed to keep things tight. Floyd, Tom and Gio put in another big shift in the engine room.

Both teams put in big hits and made the contact area a place where only the committed could go. The Saints boys never stood off and won decent possession in phases to give the coaches confidence that the other 2 sessions would be a great spectacle.
I cant take you through all the changes and high points as the next 40mins un folded but I will illuminate a few highlights.
Mossey took a great ball from the kick off, offloaded into space and Alex hit a peachy outside line to go in from 50m out
St John caught a cross field kick that most Premiership fullbacks would have choked on. He ran into space, offloaded and set up a 60m gain in territory, just at a time when Park were putting us under sever pressure.
Sam O rucked out relentlessly and often against lads much bigger than him, secured us the ball and set it back in text booked fashion.
Daniel went hunting for the ball and took some difficult high balls. He ran down his oppo and saved a number of phases from turning into points for Park.
Alex gave 110% and was blooded and battered from an incredible game in attack and defence – the Park coaches were highly complementary about him.
Most importantly the guys played for each other. They were hitting contact zones in 2,3,4 groups and when the ball went wide we were always secure to know that we had cover. Saying that Park score 5 tries and all of them were in the corners. Their 12 was a stand out player and with the physicality their front row and 17 brought you always had to keep your eye on the game.

Many thanks to the ref, who handled things in a highly professional way, coaching, asking and only resorting to penalty interventions when necessary. The touchline was a buzz with supporters from both team mingling and chatting about the great game on show – just how it should be at all clubs at all matches.
In the end Park got 5 tries, out wide. Only one converted, although their kicker missed one by less than 50cm – I was the touch judge under the posts and until the last 5m of flight it looked like it would just make it....unlucky mate. We put 4 tries under the posts and our kickers were proud of their 100% kick record. It was a game of inches (imperial measures are so much more poetic) and the one point win was not as important as the spirit in which the game was played nor the development of all the players this season. Rugby was the winner today, we were proud to share the event and the after match hospitality with Park and are proud of the Saints boys for their effort, skill and spirit.
Training on Tues night 18:00 at the club. We have a Cheshire Cup match on Sunday AWAY at Chester. The rules of the comp limit us to a match day 22. If you are NOT available can you let us know NOW. We cant do our usually thing of getting everyone who turns up on the pitch cos the rules say we have to name a 22 – thus we need to know now who is not available. Normal service will resume the week after honest.
Details about the floodlit event on Friday (25th) night will come out by COP Wednesday but essential rock up at 19.00hrs at New Brighton, bring the kids and have a pint and some food...simple eh!