Sefton RUFC

Sat 20 Dec 2025, 14:15

Sefton 2nd XV

24 - 17

Capenhurst

Sefton 2nd XV

Capenhurst

A final game before the Xmas break, and the second team hosted Capenhurst at Sefton.

High on Kev Mainwaring's Xmas list was a win for his beleaguered 2nd team. With only one win so far, he really needed some Christmas cheer.

- The Game -

For the first ten minutes Sefton couldn’t get hold of the ball, as Capenhurst hit them with a barrage of attacks. A number of penalties kept Sefton pinned on their try line, and when a quick tap penalty was taken, Sefton were unable to prevent Capenhurst crashing over for a converted try.

With a bit of possession now, Sefton started to take control. Most of the game was played within the oppositions half, but it took some time to break through their defence. Sefton had a slight edge in the scrums, but the lineouts were fiercely competed, with no team having the upper hand. Eventually, a chance came to Sefton with some sustained pressure on their line. A rucked ball was picked up by scrum half James Wilson, who faked the pass out wide, before stepping through a gap of his own making, to dive over the try line for an unconverted try.

Against the run of play Capenhurst are rewarded with another series of penalties that pushes Sefton back into their twenty-two. Again they are unable to stop Capenhurst from crashing over for a try from five metres out.

- Using his head -

Off comes the fragile Joe Clarke, who is immediately wrapped in bubble wrap until he is needed again. He is replaced by Chris Lewis whose first involvements was quite bizarre. With Capenhurst being awarded a free kick, they booted a spiral bomb up into the air. No one took control of it, as it headed back to the ground. Least of all Chris Lewis, who stood there as if the opposition had performed a magic trick, and made the ball disappear. Then it hit him. No, it actually hit him, right on the top of his head. Luckily, the ricocheted ball bounced harmlessly into touch. To be honest, I'm unsure whether Chris even felt anything, his head non the wiser to the contact.

A number of high tackles started to slip in, including a vicious one to Danny Johnson, who nearly got his head removed. This only recieved a penalty, but minutes later another high tackle resulted in a yellow card for Capenhurst.

With five minutes to go till half time, Sefton pushed their advantage. Spotting space out wide, the ball was passed along the back line and Dan Harrington was able to beat his winger, to go round for a try in the last play of the half. Converted by Danny Johnson, the score was even.

In the second half Sefton had moderate control over the game, but couldn't find the points to take the lead, and there was always the danger that the opposition could score on the break. A superb run by Seb Hannibal looked promising as he gassed his opposite winger on the outside, leaving only the fullback to beat. I think he was in two minds whether to skip round the last defender, or pass to Wayne Banthorpe who was in close support. He did neither, and bundles into the fullback, knocking the ball on in the process.

The break came from a scrum ten metres out from Capenhurst's try line. Picking the ball up at the back, Kyle Noon takes contact, before laying it off to James Wilson. From three metres out he was unstoppable, and scores his second try. Converted by Danny Johnson.

Sefton increased their score when Capenhurst encroached off side whilst defending their line. Danny Johnson quickly tapped the ball and was over the try line before the opposition could stop him. He converted his own try.

A try for Capenhurst in the last ten minutes, due to some poor defending brought Capenhurst back into the game. Fortunately, they missed the conversion, which gave Sefton a bit of breathing room.

A treat for the crowd in the final minutes comes when Pete 'two steps' Johnson gets the ball in a bit of open space. As he picks up the ball and starts to run, the crowd go wild, expecting something extraordinary from the semi-retired veteran player. Everyone holds their breath, and his son looks on with awe, is he going to score from there? Then he knocks it on, and the crowd cheer more raucously, his son turns away shaking his head, and Pete holds his head in shame.

A great competitive match, which could have easily gone to Capenhurst if some of the refs decisions had gone their way. A solid front row, gave the backs a great platform, and some great carries by Luke Griffiths and Gabriel Mikurenda helped put the opposition on the back foot. There was even some hard graft put in by Mark Dobie, who didn't knock any balls on, or lose it in contact. In the backs, James Wilson was instrumental in the win, and homeless Andy was solid at fullback.

The betting slips were out as the captain, Kev Mainwaring announced his Man of Match. Each player taking their folded up bet out of their sock. Seb, or Wayne, who would it be? Then Kev throws a curve ball, and gives it to Danny Johnson. No back rub for you, Kev, I don’t even think he showers, what were you thinking? Everyone throws their bet on the ground in disgust.

Afterwards, the Xmas jumper party was a great success, including the now, traditional, naked Chistmas tree tackle. Isaac Lancaster didn't disappoint, the tree didn't have a chance. There was boubles flying in all directions. Young Dan Harrington was also keen to have a go, as long as Isaac didn't tackle him too hard.

This was the last League game till after the New Year. However, there is a Xmas friendly at Sefton, against Mossley Hill on Saturday 27th. Come down, bring your boots, have a beer, maybe ridicule Brian Gardner's new jacket that he thinks makes him look cool.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for a last minute Xmas present, you couldn’t go far wrong with Campo’s new self help book, 'How to make friends, by insulting people (the Aussie way)'. There are plenty of top tips to guarantee you'll be alone for Christmas, and into the New Year.

One more sleep!!!

Yours, Lanky.