Sefton RUFC

Sat 7 Jan 2023, 14:15

Sefton 2nd XV

24 - 7

Tyldesley 2nd XV

Sefton 2nd XV

Tyldesley 2nd XV

After a month break we were hoping that everyone would be keen for a game. Lawrence Gillen’s brother, Ged was visiting and keen for game. Pencilled in, we would probably see their dad make an appearance to watch his favourite son. It was only on Friday night that we learn that Ged had abandoned Sefton in preference for his girlfriend who he was going to take to town. Maybe visit a few museum’s or shop for new shoes in Liverpool One. This is the state of the new modern man, preferring to hold hands down the high Street, rather than run with ball in hand, I despair! Gillen Senior would be very disappointed, I doubt he would be down to watch his second favourite son.

- The Game –

Many of the players questioned my decision to play on the first team pitch, worrying that the young fit Tyldesleyans would outflank our older, slower backline. However, who doesn’t want to play on the Premier pitch, if not just to give Bill something to moan about when we churn up his grass.

The ref today was a women, in fact both home team refs were women. Which led to the debate, what do we call them. Is it Miss, Sir, or do we just stick to their generic title. The safe generic name was agreed, but don’t say it to their face.

Tyldesley turn up with the lightest front row I haven’t seen. One of their props was no more than nine stone wet through, against a rather heavier Jack Crone. Sefton would have to manage the front row to keep the scum’s from going uncontested.

 As predicted Tyldesley struggled to get any clean ball from the scrums, and Sefton took advantage of this. A scrum on the five metre line gave Sefton that opportunity, slowly walking the ball towards the line, and then sent out to the backs for JJ to go over in the corner.

 Defence in the backs was superb and what little ball Tyldesley got was easily nullified, with Liam Brown having a particular enjoyable tussle with his opposite number.

Another try was soon to follow with Lawrence Gillen able to find a gap in Tyldesley’s defence to go over for a try.

- The ‘did he really say that' moment’ -

 As Sefton pack down for what was probably their fifteenth scrum, one of Tyldesley’s louder players was cautioned by the ref for complaining to her. To which he replied “I was talking to my captain love”. You could hear the deep inhale of breath from all the players from both teams as we waited for the refs response. Admirably she handled it well, and told him you should address me as Sir. I think it was clear that he must have address every woman he encounters as love.

- kicking update -

 I have to ask what the parameters of Jack beckwith’s contributions were. An initial run from the first kick-off looked promising, however this was rare. His main contribution came with his boot, as he consistently attempted to boot the ball through the defence, only for it to ricocheted off the defenders chest, and on several occasions left Sefton scrambling back in defence to correct his kicking mistake. I believe there is a word for people who try the same thing again and again, but expect a different result. I’m sure if you look up the word insanity in the dictionary, it will have Jack Beckwith’s name next to it.

 The second-half came with no more tries, despite Sefton having most of the ball, they were making it really hard for themselves. Tyldesley only had to score one try to be right back in the game. This inevitably came, and from a Sefton attack.

- Props thinking they’re fly-halves -

 A nice passage of play sucks Tyldesley’s defence in, and the ball is popped to Jack Crone who runs a superb angled line to go through with only the full back to beat. Now most props would generally aim to run over that last defender, and possibly pop it off if he was brought down, however not Jack. He now thinks he’s Owen Farrell, and attempts a looping pass over there remaining defender, who manages to get a hand to the ball and plucks it from the air. The counter attack was quick, and the result is a converted try under the post for Tyldesley.

A great kick into the corner by Gorgeous put the ball deep in the opposition’s half, and this is where Sefton stayed. Matty Cunningham and Jack Crone lead the way with some great carries and it what Matty Cunningham who finally broke through, and crashed over the try line. Converted by Gorgeous.

 Finally the Tyldesley player who seemed to have a lot to say was yellow carded for dissent.

 A penalty kick by Gorgeous put Sefton thirteen points ahead.

 In the final five minutes, Sefton put the game out of reach when Matty Cunningham was driven over the line for his second try.

 A great first game after such a long break, with players definitely requiring the fitness. The young Tyldesley front row battled hard and didn’t give up, which must be commended, and the female ref was probably one of the best we have had this season.

Player of the match was a tough one, sHambling and Liam Brown defending well in The centre’s. Lawrence Gillen put in his usual energetic performance, and Brendo McCullen performed admirably at second row. However both props Jack Crone and Matty Cunningham did the majority of the carries, and deserve the recognition. So this time Jack Crone received the man of the match despite his fly-half aspirations.

I’m interested to find out what Ged Gillen did in town, perhaps we could make this a new feature of the match report, what Ged did in town today?

Next week Sefton Second team are away at Littleborough, I suspect there may be a few unexplained absences for that trip.

Lanky