Sefton RUFC

Sat 2 Nov 2024

Heaton Moor 2nd XV

53 - 15

Sefton 2nd XV

Heaton Moor 2nd XV

Sefton 2nd XV

With a Cup game this week, away at Heaton Moor, many of Sefton’s players considered this a week off. Availability was low, with only the committed making themselves available.

No Welsh JJ, an injured Gorgeous, and an absent Tom Rainey, and Matty Cunningham, the list went on. Wayne Banthorpe, and Steve Kidd were both work tied, well those parking tickets aren't going to write themselves. Even our captain had forsaken us, and returned to the first team, sending us off into the fire, with a pat on our backs.

- Joe's Toe Update -

Another person missing was big Joe Clarke, still suffering from that horrific toe injury that he incurred last week. Asked how he was coping with this debilitating, gross, swollen body part, the toe replied, "I've had to put up with him for years, I'm quite use to it by now".

Heaton Moor were at a comparable level with Sefton, both top of their Leagues, and putting some big scores on their opposition. Very similar sides, consisting of small, mobile pack, and a quick, agile back line, full of youth. This was not going to be an easy game.

- The Game -

Heaton started at a furious pace, and Sefton found it hard to get out of their half. The ref wasn't helping, allowing the opposition to dive over rucks, and enter from the side. Eventually, Heaton broke Sefton down from a twenty-two drop-out. Running it back, and finding space on the wing, to go over in the corner.

- Kicking Update -

Kicking wasn’t a great option for Sefton, because the opposition loved the counterattacking rugby. With possession of the ball  Sefton repeatedly kicked it right to their full back, who ran it right back, usually into great chasms of space.

Lineouts also failed to click, with only one recognised jumper, and too few lifters, Heaton easily predicted where the ball was going, and were able to disrupt most of Sefton’s ball.

All, in all, it wasn’t going well for Sefton, and by the end of the first half, they where behind by six unanswered tries.

The second half started a little bit better for Sefton, with their backs getting some much needed ball. With Giz coming on, this gave Sefton a little bit more of a punch, which was clearly lacking in the first half.

It was a kick by Chris Brogden that brought Sefton’s first try. With the ball going high towards their full back, it was plucked out of the sky by Cameron Hughes, who had an easy run to the try line.

A couple of breakaway tries by Heaton put Sefton back in reality. However, a bit of sustained pressure on Heaton's try line gave Sefton some relief. A number of penalties ensued, and the forwards sucked their defence in, which allowed Cameron Hughes to score another try out on the left.

The purple patch continued, with Sefton getting much more ball. A kicking battle ensued, with both sides trying to get field position. Heaton were finally halted in their half when they tried to run the ball out, and lose the ball. Chris Brogden takes a jinxing run up the middle of the pitch, putting their defence on the back foot. A switch of play from left to right by Cameron Hughes leaves Heaton short of numbers, and Hughes is able to put Isaac Lancaster into the corner for a try.

A better second half for Sefton, who competed well, but the damage was done in the first half. On the day Heaton Moor were by far the better side, possibly wanting a good Cup run, more than Sefton. Heaton took advantage of the refs lackadaisical approach to the rules at the breakdown,  and that was where the game was primarily won. Diving off their feet, hands in the ruck, and playing the ball whist on the floor. Disappointingly, Sefton allowed them to do this.

Man of the Match went to a swiftly improving Luke Griffiths, who is slowly getting back to full fitness after an injury early in the season. He, and Charlie Renshaw were the predominant attacking force in a forwards pack that was lacking its usual penetrative effect.

One person that was pleased with Sefton’s exit from the Cup was Campo. In his eyes, that was mission accomplished.

Yours, a broken Lanky.