Sefton RUFC

Sefton 2nd team were away at Caldy for an early ko, due to Caldy 1st team playing Ealing that afternoon. Sefton would be facing a strong Caldy 3rd team side, with possibly a few 2nd team players in there. Our one hope was that we had Louis McGowan with us, an ex-Caldy player, who would hopefully scare the young Caldy players a bit.

Caldy had a heavy set of forwards, but Sefton matched them in the set pieces. Lineouts went well, with Harry Mawdsley and Daniel Craig jumping in the lineouts. However, Caldy did have some strong runners, heavy and strong in the forwards, quick and nimble in the backs. This is what faced Sefton, forced to close in tight on defence to stop the crash balls, then scrambling out wide to prevent the overlap. Eventually, this overwhelmed Sefton, with a steady number of players getting through.

Disaster strikes for Sefton when Harry Mawdsley pulls up with an injury. Harry was everywhere in the first 20 minutes, and by far our quickest, proactive forward. With him off, we were left with a big, but slow marauding pack, and one less lineout jumper.

Why did Harry get injured? In reality it's always the players that work the hardest that get injured, that's why Dobie plays every game and never gets injured, self preservation.

If Sefton could keep it tight, and prevent Caldy having the ball, a closer contest could be produced. This is how Sefton finally provided a bit of dominance. Big runs by Louis McGowan, Kev Mainwaring and Ben Webster allowed Sefton to push Caldy back into their half. Penalties started to appear as Caldy tried to stop Sefton breaking through. The tap and go were crucial in drawing the opposition in, first by Matty Williams, and then by Joe Clarke. A slight hesitation at the back of a ruck by Gorgeous just allows him to send the opposition the wrong way. A moments pause as the experienced scrum half considers whether to pass the ball out, creates a half gap between Caldy guard at the base of the ruck. Gorgeous is through before the defender can readjust, and over the line for a try.

This would be Sefton’s only try. Although Sefton did spend some considerable time in the opposition’s twenty-two, this was never converted to points. At times Sefton were pressing the try line, only to lose the ball and see Caldy race away in the backs to score the breakaway try.

Defensively, there was some great performances in the backs, with new player Ryan Payne showing great potential, and Dan Harrington consistently tackling above his weight. But in the end it came down to possession.

I'm hoping it will eventually get through to him, after all, I ground Jay Evans down after years of taunting his kicking philosophy. He now rarely kicks, when he plays for us, as he know I will torment him. I feel it is different with Chris Brogden, he is more resilient to criticism, I even think he enjoys it. He is a maverick, ("I don’t like that look man." "It's the only one I got."), who does some crazy kicks. Sometimes they come off, but mostly it give the ball back to the opposition. This wasn’t the time to kick the ball back to them. A number of their backs were Colts, young, fast and keen to run with the ball in hand. Chris was happy to feed their ego, and increase their score tally. Chris is a working project.

By the end of the second half, Caldy were running tries in for fun. I'm unsure whether they kept to the three sub rule, as there seemed to be a lot of players at the end. As for Lous frightening them, I think they were probably too young to know his legendary status. He has become like Ron Yates was to the 3rd team, no longer a Liverpool legend, just a Sefton supporter.

A tough game, but everyone put a shift in. Stand out performances from Ben (1/5) Webster, Dan Harrington and Daniel Craig. As usual Captain Mainwaring dithers about who Man of the Match is, wanting to appease everyone. The team weren’t having any of it, and eventually chose Daniel Craig. A great choice, with Daniel showing great improvement this season, and has been a contender for a few games now.

After the game some players stayed to watch the Caldy v Ealing game. Ex-Sefton player, Nye Thomas came on at half time, and his contributions nearly turn it around. Caldy were very unlucky, losing by two points in the end.

Yours, Lanky.

Where has he been, a long sabbatical, maybe writing memoirs. It doesn't matter the Sefton Mystery Reporter is back to ask those difficult questions. Who is this vigilante with a pen? This week he talks to self promoting narcissist, Joe Clarke.

SMR: Joe, you are a late comer to rugby, why did it take you so long? You seem perfect for the sport.

JC: Why, because of my perfect athletic body?

SMR: I was thinking more about your twisted, psychotic mind, but we'll go with that.

JC: I used to play football, but I have been enlightened by the mindless violence opportunities that rugby presents.

SMR: Is that important to you?

JC: It’s a new experience to me in a team game. The first time I was punched, I asked my teammates if he was allowed to do that? Apparently, mild violence is allowed.

SMR: Surely in your job, you must be used to that? I mean traffic wardens aren't the most liked people.

JC: I'm not a traffic warden, who said that? I'm management!! Still hated, but from afar.

SMR: Oh, my mistake...... you didn't come her alone though, did you, Wayne and Steve are friends of yours too. In fact you are called the Holy Trinity.

JC: Yes, but you don't need to mention them, this is all about me, isn't it?

SMR: Yes Joe it is. I believe you do some boxing too, does that help your rugby?

JC: It compliments it. Just a bit of sparring, a lot of Rugby players do it. I see Jamie Luck there all the time, although he's always in the sauna, never training. Funny that.... I guess he must come in early for the fitness.

SMR: I guess so, that is weird though.....

However, back to you, and the rugby. You do seem to get injured quite a lot, in fact you have already recieved the 'Man of Glass' award, and this is only your third season.

JC: Well I'm a finely tuned athlete, a thoroughbred racehorse. It's a fine line we tread.

SMR: Yes, that injured toe set you back a bit didn't it. I see you quite a lot bent over with Mrs Lanky rubbing you. Is she your physio?

JC: She isn't, she's my tormentor. I once crawled off on my hands and knees, only for her to tell me to get back on, because the team were short. She's horrible.

SMR: That's tough love, but I think she has a soft spot for you.

JC: It is, till she rubs me.

SMR: So what's in the future for Hollywood Joe?

JC: Well, I've recently started proping, which is a whole new experience to me. It's tough going, I prefer to be the glory boy, smashing it up, scoring tries. Instead I'm in a world of pain after the weekend.

SMR: I know what you mean, but donkeys rarely become racehorses. What does your wife think of your new sport.

JC: I don't think she approves. I have to pretend I'm not injured when I go home. Which isn't easy, because I'm a soft arse really, and trying not to grimace whilst putting my socks on is a challenge.

SMR: I'm with you brother. Thanks for the insight into Joe's World.

Joe Clarke continues to bravely endure the battle scars of Rugby, whilst letting everyone know about his various injuries. His aim is to complete a full match, one day.

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Interview by the Sefton Mystery Reporter