After yesterday’s gritty team performance in a great win away at Carrington, it was disappointing to look at the League table this morning to realise that if the Pools Panel had given us the wins we probably would have achieved against teams below us in the division, we would be sitting 3rd on points difference, one point behind Helsby, a game in hand, the last game of the season away to an already relegated Aldwininians side, promoted again??? gutting to say the least. As I have said all season, there’s only one side better than us in the division LSH and they are worthy champions, credit where credits due. We’ll now finish 7th, WEIRD.

We haven’t missed out because of the Pools Panel, we started poorly, when we were trying to find our feet and had a couple of slip ups since, great season lads need to finish off on a disappointing but positive note next week.

Quote of the season, “Just seen the result from today mirrors the same thing you did last week to Helsby. I think it’s appalling behaviour to once again stack your team with players over 7 plus leagues above - two leagues above our first team. Absolutely pathetic. And to drive the nail in against obviously weaker opposition is a clear reflection of your club. Teams in that 2s league fight hard and the league reflects that with what was five teams in the mix for the league. Until 2 of them played your ones. A poor reflection on the values of rugby. Embarrrassing.”

Deluded to say the least and I’m still waiting for the apology, we’ve beaten every team in the division apart from LSH, some more than once and funny enough our ones aren’t doing badly either. Sorry that’s been nagging at the back of my mind for a fair few weeks but won’t reveal where it came from.

Yesterday’s game started well, Brookesy breezing through a gap to help himself to a try, 8mins gone O - 5 up. It’s about now the wheels started to fall off, in a clear case of deja vu, the next half hour wasn’t our finest, Jack Richards gets a yellow for trying to defend himself after one of several high shots Liam Mc received during the game. Eddie comes on for a 5 minute cameo to bring our front row back upto strength. Yesterday in the first half, we slipped back into deliberate mode, forwards ponderous at line out time, backs running moves in front of Carrington without challenging the gainline. Carrington on the front foot help themselves to 2 tries, halftime 12 - 5 down.

A few home truths at the break from the Skip and Jose, we don’t leave here with any regrets, we just need to up the pace, not easy in this heat. The next twenty five minutes showed the best of us, dominant in line out, scrum and maul and the backs looking threatening. We helped ourselves to three unanswered tries, Dan, Kris and Matt, we kicked our first conversion in the last eight, it was awesome. 12 - 22, fifteen to play. In a lapse in concentration after another dubious refereeing decision, we again give Carrington a life line, try scored out wide and converted 19 - 22. 12 mins to play.

You can always tell when you’re on top, punches get thrown, tackles get higher, Jack Richards takes his third punch of the Day, his opposite number just didn’t like having his head shoved up his ass, Lids took one right on his snotter and will nurse two panda eyes for his birthday, how the referee didnt see it I’ll never know.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man or something like that, last weeks Diffy steps up gathers a lose ball near touch, skirts around two men, avoids the touch line and does what he does best, crashes over the tryline, last week he couldn’t catch a cold. Browny scores 19 - 27 and unlike last week, we weren’t clinging on.

A great team performance yesterday from everyone, all 18 played a part, notables, Eddie Brown played 5 minutes, was ready to go on if needed, every time I tried to put him on, the man he was going to replace, wanted one last go, Eddie is a clubman, always available when we need him, top lad. Will Sass would probably have been Duck of the Day and was having a stormer when he dislocated his shoulder just after the break, 17 years old, definitely one for the future.

There are always lads that go unnoticed, when they’re there everyone takes them for granted, when they aren’t, nobody asks. Big Katy is that man, with Wigan in the morning, straps up his teammates before the game, sorts out Wills shoulder, catches a high bomb, beats a couple of players, stays on his feet until support arrives, goes to ground, recycles the ball, makes tackles. Stopper you’re not available often enough mate, you’re a valued teammate and not because you’re a good physio.

No Duck of the Day, it was a team performance, Diffy Duck, well not really but Hastey by default, first time he’s won an award all season, don’t forget your kit bag.

Forget the League position boys, apart from LSH, we’re the team to beat, just ask, Helsby, Wirral, Carrington and oh yes Old Bedes, promotion busters that’s us.

Oh by the way can we lose the unwanted Crusaders name, we’re Ducks, always were, always will be and Mighty Ones at that. Surely that one doesn’t need committee approval, get the players opinions please.

Cueilles du Canard
Mother Duck.