Sefton RUFC

Sat 27 Jan 2024

New Brighton 2nd XV

8 - 34

Sefton 2nd XV

New Brighton 2nd XV

Sefton 2nd XV

The seconds had a trip to New Brighton for their return fixture with a mixed side of second and third teamers. As usual, sHamling insisted they got there 3 hours before kick-off, so they could ‘prepare’.

This infused JP who took a strong grasp of this opportunity, insisting the forwards practice every lineout in Sefton's playback, forgetting that Matty Williams was the hooker today. Matty has two throws, two jumper straight up, and on special occasions, four jumper straight up, non of them very reliable, a shot in the dark, at best.

- The Game -

Early dominance by Sefton brought a substantial amount of penalties from the ref. From one of these, Gorgeous takes the quick tap, catching the opposition off guard, whilst they backpedalled. A short pass to JP see’s him charge for the line, but tackled just short of the line. However, his reach was long, and he was able to stretch out, and place the ball on the try line. Dispelling rumours that JP had short arms, (maybe he just has really deep pockets). Gorgeous converted the kick.

Another fast period of play piles the pressure on New Brighton, which pulls their defence in. This creates an overlap on the left, and sHamling is able to draw the last defender, before passing to Will Messham, who scores in the corner.

As the half went on the ref seemed to switch allegiance, and started to favour the home side. With most of the action in New Brighton’s half for the first twenty minutes, Sefton could not get out of their half in the next twenty minutes, with a barrage of penalties against them. A yellow card for ‘Welsh’ JJ, compounded Sefton’s problems. I’m unsure why he was sent off, but he has been insistent that we all call him ‘Welsh JJ’ from now on, so I could understand if the ref sent him off just for that.

Despite being a Welshman down, and still getting penalised off the park, New Brighton could not get over the try line, and had to suffice with a penalty kick to register points on the board.

- The Welsh Guard Arrive -

At half time Sefton evaluate their mistakes, and re-establish control of the game. Whilst Welsh JJ contemplated his downfall on the touchline for a few more minutes, we introduce two new Welshman, (except these two are actually from Wales). Jack and Jacob come on, but there is a bit of confusion as to which is which. In the end we just combined their names and call them both Jackob. It worked with Jedward.

It was fifteen minutes though before Sefton managed to add to their score. Gorgeous’ quick thinking took New Brighton by surprise when he took a quick tap penalty, and ran right through the oblivious defence before they knew what was happening. He strolled over the line, under the posts, whilst the New Brighton were still getting back the ten metres. The disgruntled opposition took umbrage to this, which resulted in the ref giving a penalty try. Not the only ones disappointed, Gorgeous was not happy that the try was taken from him. To be honest, it was the best outcome, I think Gorgeous would have missed the conversion.

Another yellow card was issued to Sefton, this time to Luke Griffiths for a high tackle, (a solid English yellow card). New Brighton took advantage of the extra man, and were able to pull a score back when their scrum half took a quick penalty, shifting the ball out to the wing for a try in the corner.

Try of the game came when Kyle Noon picked the ball up at the back of the scrum, and went for a little trundle. After 30 metres the opposition finally caught him up, but not before he offloaded to Gorgeous who kicks it through to the goal line. With a race for the line, it was Will Messham who beats everyone to the ball, and dives on it, for his second try.

This seems to deflate New Brighton, with the fight going out of them at this point. A kick over the top, is chased up by Jackob (don’t ask me which one), who catches their winger as he dives on the ball, and wins a penalty for not releasing. Another quick tap by Gorgeous, and Kyle Noon crashes over for his second try.

To finish the day off, JP breaks through the middle, and also gets his second try.

A solid performance from Sefton, in a competitive game until the last ten minutes. Three jug evaders this week, with Will, Kyle, and JP all getting two tries, all with deep pockets. I think it should be a double jug for only getting two tries.

Man of the Match was another cop-out for sHamling who couldn’t decide on an all out favourite, so he chose Kyle Noon from the forwards, and Will Messham from the backs.

On leaving the pitch it was great to see Colin Pascoe's kids great him like a hero returned, with a pint in their little hands to reward their dad's gladiatorial effort. I remember that feeling, when they're too young to know better. How long does that last, until they're dancing naked in the club bar, with a Xmas tree between their legs.

Now top of the League, Sefton 2's are looking down from a dizzy height. When is sHamling going to realise that a few strategic loses are required. Next week might be a decider, when the 2’s play Ellesmere Port, who are also baying for the top spot.

I’m off now to find out if you really need Welsh blood to call yourself Welsh. Can anyone put their hand up and say their Welsh, maybe I could qualify? I’ve been to Wales loads of times. I suspect JJ has at least a couple of Welshmen in him.

I'm Spartacus!