Sefton RUFC

It's nice to have plenty of players, but sometimes it's slightly detrimental. Last weeks bare minimum percerviered knowing no one was coming on to replace them if they got injured.

This week Sefton had Subs, a full compliment. Oxton Parkonians similarly had plenty, in fact twenty five players!

After captain Gouldings experience at number eight last week, he was temporarily broken. So his sacrifice was our benefit, the equalizer restricting to the side line, with his clipboard in hand.

Also missing was Campo, convinced he had gout again, he decides to have a week off from rugby, and go watch the first team at Southport. Invited to the pre-match reception, he eats and drinks to excess. I Don't think he knows what causes gout

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- The Game -

First points went to Parkonians, from a solid scrum the ball was passed out, and their full back came into the line at pace. Taking the ball around Sefton and scoring under the posts.

The early score woke Sefton from their slumber, and they finally started to run with the ball. A break by Dave Murphy, was layed off to James Hamling, who scored under the posts. Tom Donnally converted.

- The First Casualties -

That was it for Dave Murphy, his early exertion had taken it's toll, and he was off with barely nine minutes on the clock. On comes Mikey Dempsey, and his first contact, is his last contact. Admittedly, he shouldn’t have had to make the tackle, if some players weren't really good at tackle avoidance. His thirty seconds of action was over, and his efforts went unrewarded with Parkonians scoring in the next play.

It was only when he was sat relaxing on the sideline that we realised we had also lost Mark Dobie, for what we don't know. Someone said he couldn't put his arm above his head. After Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis, it certainly makes you worry about Dobie's health. Come to think of it, the signs have always been there, with his slow movement around the pitch, his inability to jump, his limited speech, and his lack of co-ordination. He could have had MND for years, and we haven’t noticed.

The reality was, Sefton had lost three players within the first ten minutes.

 

They weren't the only team to lose players though, likewise, Parkonians were droping like flies. The only difference was they had ten subs. Their biggest forward,  thankfully left the field quite early. Danny Harrington claiming he took him down. Unfortunately. I have no memory of this, and he has no one to back up his fairytale.

The first of many carries by Matty Williams took the ball deep into the opposition’s half. The sight of Matty, with several players hanging off him was awe inspiring, he was a weeble wobble, that never fell down. With the defence now drawn in, Seb Hannibal was able to slip round his opposite winger. His nonchalant stroll under the posts was a bit unnerving, as he waited for the opposition to catch up before placing the ball on the ground.

It was clear that our pacey backs were the key to unlocking Parkonians defence, so Sefton shifted the ball wide at every opportunity. Seb Hannibal was fed numerous balls, and caused mayhem, when he didn’t drop the ball. His second try was similar to the first, beating the winger on the outside, and sauntering round under the posts. Tom Donnally converted.

Parkonians seemed rattled, and gave away numerous penalties. A high tackle brought the first yellow card, which was followed shortly after by another. Positioned central to the posts, Sefton opted to kick the penalty, and Tom Donnally sent it between the posts.

With a two man advantage, Sefton tried to exploit the space, and when they were awarded another penalty they quickly tapped and sent it wide. A spilled ball gave Parkonians the advantage, and they managed to score, against the run of play.

In the second half Sefton again made the numbers count. A superb sequence of handling skills creates an overlap on the outside, and Hamling is able to put Phil Ingham through on the wing, his dive for the line more like a sack of spuds landing, than a swan dive.

Parkonians hit back with a try of their own from a lineout on Sefton’s five metre. Unable to stop them, their forwards crash over.

The scramble at this point to be subbed was overwhelming. Kurdish Dave had a dodgy knee, Brendo was sick of air tackling, and Phil Ingham was just unfit. They were all practically fighting each other for a rest on the side line. It wasn’t till after the match that we discovered why. Water girl Leonie Robertson was taking requests when they came off, as to whether they wanted 'something' rubbing? The Joe Clarke injury clinic was full to capacity.

A strong run by Paul Walker at the restart, allowed Sefton to attack. Seb Hannibal was through with an easy run to the try line, until he was taken out around the neck. Another yellow card was handed to Parkonians.

Working their way into the opposition’s half, Sefton find themselves on the try line. A determined Conner Snell used his strength to power over the line. Converted by Tom Donnally.

Two quick tries by Parkonians put them ahead by two points, as decisions started to go against Sefton. However, a penalty in front of the posts allowed Tom Donnally to kick and gain the lead again.

With five minutes to go, a difficult kick was presented to Parkonians, far out, but fairly central. The kick was off target, but Sefton attempted to catch the wayward ball, failed, and knocked it over the dead ball line. A scum to Parkonians, on Sefton’s five metre line.

The ball went wide, and again Sefton failed to defend it, allowing Parkonians to take the lead.

Some frustration started to impact on Sefton’s game, with decisions not going their way. This didn’t put the ref on our side, and further backchat just meant more decisions against us. In the end Sefton just run out of time, and the refs patience. 

It was a good game, and Sefton played well, with the game swinging one way, then the other. In the end it could of very easily gone to Sefton’s, if a few more decisions had gone their way.

Some good performances, from Connor Snell, and Paul Walker in the forwards, and the half back combination of Fernando Lenon, and Tom Donnally worked well. Captain Goulding refused to pick a Man of the Match, saying that everyone played well. However, Matty Williams was clear favourite in my opinion, the number of carries he did, and the metres he made, Parkonians couldn't stop him.

Next week the thirds don't have a game, but the seconds play Oxton Parkonians first team. I suspect a few of our third teamers will be roped into that. So basically the same team.

I'm off now to get my rub from Leonie Robertson, if the queue has gone down.

Yours, Lanky