Sefton RUFC

With three teams at home this week, it was a busy day for Sefton. Unfortunately, the third teams opposition cried off early Saturday morning. Meaning the second team had numerous players looking for a game against Anselmians, despite losing Luke Griffiths, Isaac Lancaster, and Cameron Hughes to the first team. Those players are dead to us now.

We didn't need FTW anyway with the three amigos, Joe, Wayne, and Steve playing. All with various problems, one with a hurty toe, one with an image issue, and another in ginger deniel.

- Joe's Toe Update -

I'm sure you're all pleased to hear Joe's toe is on the mend, and was avaliable for the game. Obviously it would have to bring the rest of Joe with it. There is always a downside to every positive situation.

On the sideline, supporting, stood Jay Goulding strutting around in his sheep skin coat. Obviously, he is berated for such a brave fashion choice, accused of exciting all the Welsh in our club with his sheep attire.

The opposition turned up with an experienced side, yet lacking any real pace in the backs. Out wide was where points would be scores today.

- The Game -

In the first ten minutes Anselmians didn't touch the ball, it was all Sefton. The forwards dominated the contact area, both in open play, and set pieces. Tom Rainey won his lineout ball, and all of theirs, and it wasn’t long before Sefton had pinned them down in their own half. We would have got there sooner, if not for Joe Clarke's determination to run through everyone, only to go down as if he was shot. I looked for the shooter, but the grassy knoll was empty. A step too far for Joe who is humiliating further by the ball being robbed from him, just like taking candy from a baby.

Once in the opposition’s half though it was only a matter of time as to when Sefton scored. A simple calculation of youth, plus speed meant that Ben* (4/5) Wayman was too quick for his opposition on the wing, and was able to race over in the corner for the first try. Converted by sHambling.

* Often referred to as the good looking one, when establishing which Ben we are talking about, however I think 2/5 is very hunky too.

The easiest of tries came to our scrum half today Ben (3/5) Rowland, when he picked up at the back of a scrum, and went blind. From ten metres out the defence was no match for his pace, and he went over in the corner.

Just to throw the spanner in the works, the ball falls to the only quick player in the Anselmians side. An extremely fast winger, who leaves everyone behind, and goes over under the posts for a converted try.

Any attempt by Anselmians to kick their way out of trouble was fruitless, with Dan Harrington at full back taking advantage of the space in front of him. His weight to strength ratio is impressive, pushing way above his fighting weight.

A penalty for Sefton inside the opposition’s twenty-two, is taken quickly by sHambling, and Anselmians were slow to react. He was able to go over, under the posts, with little resistance, converting his own try.

Wayne Banthorpe was also instrumental in a try, taking the ball through the centre. An off-load to his mate Steve Kidd (are they lovers?) allowed him to go through and under the posts for a try. Converted by sHambling.

A positive half time team talk, contributed by Sean Muirhead, set out areas of improvement. Sean's impressive analysis should be encouraged. Someone should persuade him to hang his boots up, and go into management.

The second half, continued as the first ended, with no let off for Anselmians. A number of players swopped in, with an injured Wayne Banthorpe coming off. How he did it, is up for debate, some may say, (not me), it was the small winger that took him out. Anyway he had treatment on the sideline from Mrs Lanky, but couldn't take the pain. It is a toss between him and Joe as to who is the most needy.

A returning Gorgeous is on, as well as a positive Matt Bland, who was adamant we make a great start to the second half. 

At the restart Blandie drops the ball. 

Despite this 'great' start, Sefton forwards worked well on their pods, Dobie, Ingham and Renshaw all taking turns to gain territory. A great passing sequence sees Tom Rainey go over for a well deserved try. Converted by Gorgeous.

Ben (3/5) Rowland now in the centre, adds to his previous try with an impressive solo run through Anselmians defence. His break leaves numerous defenders unable to put a hand on him, and he is able to run from his own half, and under the opposition’s posts. Gorgeous converted.

A final converted try for Sefton came from Gorgeous, ending a successful day for the League leaders.

- Tackle Avoidance -

Was it a trick of the mind, a bit like a magician fooling his audience with quick hands? If you blinked, you missed it, the skill set must take countless hours of training to perfect. It was only a jinx of the hips, but Matt Bland has mastered the tackle avoidance. The momentary step away from the oncoming player, leaves a sliver of doubt in the observer mind as to whether the attacker had stepped him. I am not fooled, the attacker doesn't change his direction, the movement is minimal, but the timing is so precise it allows the attacker to slip past unhindered. Genius, gone are the days of diving to avoid the tackle, Campo would be so proud, the student, has become the master.

A consolation try for Anselmians is scored at the end, which credited their perseverance not to give up. Isn't it last try wins?

I have to mention the ref, as we rarely get this quality in this League. His decisions were precise, and I don't recall him missing anything, bar a few off-sides at the end, which didn't really effect the game. He must have wondered onto the wrong pitch.

Another good win for Sefton, and it's looking like we are seriously in danger of getting promoted this year. I feel a few strategic losses wouldn’t go a miss. Plenty of great performances, with both Tom Rainey, Matty Cunningham and Charlie Renshaw being very influential in the forwards, as well as a rampant Joe Clarke, when he managed to hold onto the ball. I did see him holding his ribs though when he went off, come on Joe, you're not fooling anyone. A superb performance by Dan Harrington, and he would have been the sidelines choice. However, sHamling does have his favourites, and he chose Ben (3/5) Rowland as the Man of the Match. The lad has pace, and he did a great job at scrum-half, despite not playing there before.

In the clubhouse we are again treated to Joe Clarke's critical analysis of himself on every action he took part in. The lad just loves thrashing himself with a barbed branch. You don't need to do that Joe, I'm more than happy to take on that role.

I'm off now to steal the sheepskin shit house's coat. It's not fair to flounce that material around Jamie Luck, he gets very excited at anything covered in wool. Besides, I think it looks better on me.

Yours, Lanky