Sefton RUFC

A rare chance to see the 1st team in action presented itself on Saturday. I expected to be entertained by some fast paced, quality rugby by Sefton's premier team.

No sign of our coach, Jamie Luck this week, who was away on his annual school ski trip 'risk assessment' jolly. He has confirmed that the snow is still very slippy. His school children are safe for another year. Instead Christian Caine Jnr. was on the side line to step into the role of stand in coach, and impart his wealth of knowledge. Nothing but a professional job was expected from the young Caine.

Pre-match team talk came from the captain Seb Caine, which is often entertaining, and a little bit scary. Seb is obviously very passionate about rugby and tries to emphasise this during these rousing speeches. I have witnessed these outbreaks on the rare occasion I'm involved in the 1st team, and generally step back a little. Just incase his over enthusiasm turns into violence.

Both teams are currently sitting in mid table mediocracy, so it would be a closely contested game. Whether Sefton could overcome the opposition generally depends on which Jay Evans turns up, good Jay, or bad Jay.

- The Game -

An early chance to put points on the board came to Sefton, with a kickable penalty in front of the posts. However, this was put wide by Jay Evans.

Other than this, chances were little, and far between, with both sides seemingly cancelling each other out. The one opportunity, for Garstang came in the 15th minute, when a penalty was awarded to them, central, and 30 metres out. Unlike Sefton’s, the kick went between the posts for a 3 point lead.

There was some promising breaks by Sefton, including a carry by Ben (2/5) Wayman, where he just kept on going. Defenders were flinging themselves at him, but not managing to get a hand on him. He was eventually stopped, and the ball was passed out wide to Steve Kidd who was halted just short of the try line.

Despite not getting over the line, Sefton were awarded another penalty, directly in front of the posts. The kick again went wide of the posts.

- Third Time Lucky -

The reprieve came on the half hour, with another penalty awarded to Sefton for holding on. In a similar position as before, this was surely the last chance for the irratic scrum half. This time he hit the mark, and Sefton evened the score.

The Game at this point got ever more frustrating,  with both sides arm wrestling for dominance in the midfield. Sefton managed to get into the red zone a number of times, but failed to come away with points.

Sefton started to falter, just like the refs whistle malfunction, which gradually lost its peep.

As the half comes to an end, or so we thought, Garstang had one more thrust into Sefton's half. Several penalties allowed them to push into the twenty-two, with Sefton’s defence becoming fractured. Another quick tap penalty, and Garstang caught Sefton on the back foot, and were able to go over for a converted try. With what seemed like an extra ten minutes on the clock the half time whistle finally went, leaving the crowd thinking that both the refs whistle, and his watch was broken.

At half time ref, Pete Barnett was offered a replacement whistle, but he refused, preferring to stick with his dog whistle.

Sefton nearly got off to a perfect start, with a kick chase by James Wilson. A penalty kicked into the corner, gave Sefton another attacking opportunity. However, yet again Sefton find themselves in that red zone, but failed to capitalise on it due to a knock on.

Meanwhile, Garstang were having their own glitches, with an unsuccessful penalty kick.

A great steal at a maul by Tom Founds nearly rectifies this, but Sefton again failed to capitalise on it.

- Putting shame on the family name -

It was at this point that Christian Caine Jnr. lost it on the side line. A continuous rant at the ref earned him the walk of shame, as he was sent to the clubhouse to contemplate his behaviour.

With scrums now beginning to be dominated by the opposition, penalties started to come for Garstang. A penalty kick increased the gap to 10 points, but the game was still within Sefton’s grasp. At times Sefton flung the ball around with no regard for its security, and had a lucky escape when a long pass was intercepted by Garstang. Fortunately, the play was brought back for an earlier knock on.

With the clock ticking down, Sefton were running out of time, and it took some positive determination to bring Sefton right back into the game. Kev Mainwaring came back on in the front row to stabilise the scrums, and gave them a bit of forward momentum. A penalty on the opposition’s twenty-two was quickly taken, and passed out wide to Liam Brown. In all reality he should have been brought down, but he just kept moving forward. Several collisions didn't stop him, and he was able to go over left of the posts. Not surprisingly, Jay Evans sweeps the most difficult conversion through the posts with ease, to leave Sefton with a three point deficit, and only minutes to go.

- The game hangs on a bounce -

Sefton manage to get their hands on the ball, within their half. A hopeful kick through is chased by Liam Brown, who races away from the chasing opposition. The bounce could have gone either way, if it bounced favourably, it was straight into Liam's hands, and he would have had a clear run to the try line. It didn’t. The ball bounces back on itself over Liam's head, and over the chasing opposition's head, and falling short of Ben (2/5) Wayman's outstretched hands. The chance was over, Garstang see the game out.

As for Christian Caine Jnr. he was found sat on the President's naughty step in the clubhouse, possibly contemplating his life decisions.

After the game we suggested Pete buys a new whistle, but he was adamant he was not going to fork out the cost for a new whistle, "do you know how much they cost"? Maybe a new whistle for Xmas would be good for Pete, either that or retirement? We can only hope it's the latter.

Next week, there is no 1st team game, but both the 2nd, and 3rd team are at home. We also have our infamous Xmas night out, Crimbo jumper mandatory! Get that Xmas tree ready, Isaac, he will no doubt want to relieve that wood concupiscense.

Yours, Lanky