On form Saints into Plate Final

We met in the 1stXV changing rooms today and let the lads tell us how they wanted to play. Capt McNamara asked for physicality up front. The backs wanted to take the ball wide. The back row and 2nd row committed to winning all the ball on the floor. We all wanted to support each other and be one team.

The lads talked about making each turnover a victory in itself. The front row wanted to dominate the early hits and our half backs wanted to mix things up but keep ball in hand. In summary we all felt we had a big game in our locker and wanted to bring it onto the pitch. If better is possible - good is not enough... we respected C&N and knew nothing short of our best game would get us to the final.

Chris and the lads from C&N arrived early and brought the sun along. Earlier in the season we had had a close game with C&N winning a lot of ball and Saints lucky to run our winners by a point. It was going to be a heck of a day. Game on. Terry was our erstwhile Liverpool Society official of the day, he kept everything ship shape and was caught in the bar afterwards reminiscing with Messers Freeman and Kelly... we kept the kids away lest they learn the dark arts at an early age!

Macca followed orders and played uphill in the first half. Crewe kicked deep and Saints pushed up field but the knocks were brutal – nothing untoward just clean hard rugby from two dedicated sets of rugby fanatics. Saints won one of those contact victories we had discussed in the pre-match and from the turnover moved the ball wide and fast, Alex L-K found space and was under the posts. Sean chipped the conversion, 2mins in 7-0 – dream start! Matty, Ethan and Dylan were all over the ball at the breakdown...

C&N kicked long again and exerted pressure. Saints moved up on the right flank. We made prob the wrong decision and kicked ahead. However with a good kick chase we had another turnover victory and thanks to Alex Y and Alex L-K we were again under the posts, 7m 14-0...with the hour going on were we still dreaming? Andy P, Macca and Daniel were punching holes in a robust defence – C&N were doing nothing wrong it was just the Saints doing everything right. Elston and Sean were running the show at half-back, taking the ball wide when needed and keeping the C&N back row on their toes.

On 10ms the ref pulled back a great Saints passing move that had out flanked C&N...fwd pass – correct call. This seemed to spur on C&N. Saints were put under pressure and as Crewe moved the ball left our back three of Sam, Nathan and Adam had to work hard. We got a promising C&N attack bundled into touch. From the 5m lineout C&N tapped back a 4 ball and moved the ball wide. Cutting back inside great Sainst defence held up Crewe under our posts, if they had gone wide they would have gone in but line fever hit and then our backs and backrow came into play.

On 16mins C&N’s impressive No8 picked and drove from the resulting 5m scrum and they got the extras. 14-7. Under the posts the lads were annoyed. They had worked hard. We pointed out few teams could have taken the pressure for 6mins and they should be proud of the small wins they had got in their own 22m area.

From the kick off Saints again moved it wide and had the ball under the posts (19mins) b4 we all noticed the touch judge from Saints pointing out that C&N had forced a Sainted foot into the white wash. Saints forwards were now back in the chair. Porter smashed his way through, Floyd Ethan and Gio drove over and Alex Y was in...no again C&N were defending the line with all they had and held up another attack. Another brutal forwards exchange saw Daniel slip over for a poachers try. His last one was from 30m this one about 0.3m but that will be upto 30m with a dummy and two side-steps by the time the school bell rings on Monday pm! 21mins and 21-7...all the extras from Sean.

From the kick off Saints’ let the ball bounce and then didn’t win their own lineout. C&N were back in our red zone and after good pressure found gaps and put one under the posts – these guys could play rugby and we were worried. Simple mistake in the kick off set up and 7 points put C&N back in the game. 27min 21-14. Half time

Half time was a simple chat. Capt Macca asked for more numbers at the breakdown and some space for Elsom to get the ball wide – few too many big lumps standing in the fast ball channel...we are working on this in training so get down on Tues nights!!. In summary the lads knew that winners make things happen & losers let things happen, which one would they be?

From the kick off Adam showed his talent, he took the ball up well, off loaded and then cleared out the next ruck. Ball went though hands and Alex L-K was under the posts. 3mins 28-14...Sean couldn’t miss and even was avoiding the wood work for a change.

C&N kick off the ball went into touch. Quick thinking from Macca saw a quick throw and our scrum-capped- Usain-Bolt-hooker ran 65m to score. We were exhausted just watching him run that far. 5min 35-14. Behind the sticks Chris and C&N coaches pointed out their lads were still in the game, they were right, C&N were doing nothing wrong.

Now if we were going to advise any team not to kick it to one person from the off it would be our ownChuck Norris. C&N made this mistake from the next start and were again under their posts within 10 seconds. Just pure individual athletic prowess, take a bow Alex..and Sean who got the extras again. 7mins 42-14.
Within 7mins with team commitment, some luck and a big dollop of individual flair and the game had totally changed. C&N were shell shocked. We have all played in games when you take a raft of points and it knocks you badly. It was shock cos from the first kick C&N had run the ball hard and could easily have had us on the ropes but the rugby Gods were looking kindly on the Saint Anselms lads today.

On 9mins Rory came on for Ethan who had put in a great shift but his niggling leg injury just wouldnt settle down, Mr H was straight into the flight clearing rucks and knocking over anything that ventured near him...

Camping in C&N 22m area, we had a couple of scrums. Dylan emulated the C&N no8 and with a cheeky pick and go was under the posts. Sean still couldn’t miss – 13mins 49-14.

With 20mins to go we brought on Tom E for Adam who had played his best game of his season and had led the backs defensive and attacking effort. Gio made way for Tom S. New legs didnt interrupt Saints dominance and we were soon on the score board 56-14 (I missed the scorer...suggestions please) Sean was now on 8 from 8!

Mike W came on for Sam and George Mc for Nathan, the latter had a great game at full back not putting a foot wrong. Sam out of position on the wing made good yards and knocked over his man when asked.. Alas Rory had to come off after taking a knock (the other lad had to be rotated as well) so Adam thought he’d just pop on to show the fwds how it should be done.

The moment of the game for me came on 23mins. Tom Evans new to the club at the beginning of the season has worked hard to get a match day 22 slot. He knocked over a very competent C&N centre and then on 23mins when faced with a 2 on 1, knocked over the right lad and turned him, Macca was on hand to pick and drive and then slipped the ball to Alex Y to score. It would have been rugby nirvana if Sean hadn’t fluffed the kick but he did finish with 8 from 9 (88.8% hit rate!) so we will let him off... 61-14

Thanks to all the supporters today, the lads in the squad who were outside the 22 but came down - the parents and relatives who cheered on the lads in great sunshine. Book in 6th May at Northwich we have Wirral in the Final - a re run of the Shield final from last season - it shows how far both teams have come.

Couple of weeks ago I quoted Coach Carter and here is another one for the boys to think about... “Now put your hands on your hips and look like you own this place”, but you win with pride and lose with dignity...think about how you can be the complete rugby players both on and off the pitch. Here ends the homework!

C&N were the perfect opponents, they played fair and hard but came up against a Saints team on fire. The Crewe lads were upset to be out of the Plate and its shame we will not see them nor their coaches at Northwich in May, however we know they will be back bigger, faster and fitter in 2012-13 and we look forward to our next meeting which I think is a training session in Sept...on that note one final thought for all those who played and watched today b4 I sign off

“its never about winning or losing when your on the field. It's about how hard you worked in the off-season to better yourself. Its about giving everything you have. It's about blood, sweat, and tears. When the game is over and you walk off that field, you ask yourself one simple question: Did I give it my all? Did I give everything I had? If your answer is yes, you succeeded. If your answer is no, you just keep training harder and prove to yourself what your capable of doing”

ends