Sefton RUFC

- Travel Plans -

Choices to make; get the 61 bus and arrive late, risking a potential fine from Goulding’s new Stalin late arrival fine system, or risk my life by getting a lift off Seb Hannibal. I gamble and Seb picks me up 10 minutes before the deadline, the stereo volume seemed to be stuck on maximum. At one point I thought we were being chased as we weaved in and out of traffic. I look around nervously, but we must have lost them. We arrive 5 minutes before we set off. I'm a little shaky, but still alive, and fine free.

As suspected, Port Sunlight brought a mixture of first and second teamers. It was going to be a tough game, but a game was better than none.

- The Game -

The ref did his usual spiel, including the part where, "if you want to take a quick tap at a penalty". We all laughed, looking at Blandie, who never takes anything quick.

Port Sunlight's pack were massive, with some big, strong runners. Despite being short of players, and enlisting Campo, and Darrell to complete their side, this didn't diminish their performance.

First try came from their number eight, a goliath of a man, who terrorised the 2nd team when they played Port Sunlight 1st team. His strong running was complimented with surprisingly agile, fast footwork. From 10 metres out, he was unstoppable.

Their second try came soon after, in a similar situation. This time their big prop had the ball, but it was OK, Blandie was in his way. Just as the contact was about to happen, and they squared up to each other like two walruses going chest to chest, Blandie stepped to the side. He didn't even pretend not to tackle him, no diving the wrong way, no half arsed air tackle, there was no shame, just a revolving door.

Sefton manage to get a penalty and placed it 10 metres from the oppositions line. The catch was good, and the ball was secured at the back. A strong drive carried the ball over the line, and Lancaster was able to ground the ball for a try.

Dispite making some good runs with the ball in hand, set pieces were a problem. Scrums held, but only just, however the lineouts were a real lottery for Sefton. From this, Port Sunlight were able to get two quick tries from their own half. One from a line out, and the other from a scrum, going through the centres and scoring under the posts. Again their number eight being the instigator of the attack.

- Taking candy from a baby -

Again Sefton get a penalty and put the ball in the same corner, figuring the lineout drive was the best option to get over the line. The catch and drive was good, with Blandie this time taking control of the ball at the back. Sefton suddenly shifting the maul to the left and the opposition disintegrated leaving an open path to the line. The question, "where’s the ball, Blandie"? was met with silence, eventually admitting, "someone knocked it out of my hand". We look back to see the opposition racing down the touch line, and out of danger.

Another scrum for Port Sunlight ends with their backs getting round the outside, and through under the posts.

In the final minutes of the half, Sefton put some pressure on the opposition’s line. A gap in the line allows Salad to go through, and he goes over the try line. However, the ref was unsighted, and he says the ball is held up. Half time is blown.

- Opposition welcome Matty back to rugby -

Matty Thomas comes on at scrum-half,  his first game in several years, and their back row introduces himself. A flying dive over the ruck by their flanker takes Matty out, and Port Sunlight receive a yellow card.

- What's good enough for Blandie -

Port Sunlight are back inside Sefton’s twenty-two. The ball is picked up and taken blind by the prop. It's OK Brian Gardner is there to stop any penetration. I imagined it would be like two bull elephant going head to head. Then the turnstile swings open, and the prop saunters past Brian to score in the corner.

At this, Port Sunlight have an injury, and request another Sefton player to keep their dominance up. Without hesitation, Brian Gardner volunteers to swop, switching his shirt colour before anyone could protest. Sefton immediately start to dominate.

- Good Ben -

Some good handling skills in the backs, gets Sefton into the opposition’s half, (the ball seemed to be coming out faster from the breakdowns?). A crash ball by Ben 1/5 Webster breaks the line and he goes over left of the posts. Tom Donnally converts.

- Bad Ben-

I don't know what he was thinking, maybe he doesn't think. Breaking from the back of a scrum he is faced with the oncoming opposition backs. Instead of powering through, maybe putting a couple of them on their backside, he decides to kick the ball. The kick barely makes it over the first defenders head. Luckily the player behind was so shocked at how bad the kick was, he fumbles it as he attempt to pick it up. Ben is half saved.

A break by Brendo, is passed to Lancaster, who then returns it to Brendo. The Aussie finds himself in space, I think he panics. Despite this he carries on, and gets inside the opposition’s twenty-two before being stopped. The ball is switched to the other side with some smooth handling skills, before being halted in the opposite corner. A rare catch, and crash ball by Dobie draws in the defenders, which allows Darrell Smith to go through under the posts for a final try.

A disappointing first half, with Sefton allowing Port Sunlight's forwards to dominate. A better response came in the second half, which Sefton actually won. A great 2nd half performance from new lad, Matty Thomas, whether we see him again is another question. A few new lads joined this week, including a couple of props, which are always welcome. In the backs, young Josh put a shift in on the wing, being our main defender, whenever Port Sunlight broke through.

Man of the Match went to Harry Gribbin, who is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. A powerhouse in the set pieces, and always available to take the ball up in attack. The pink cowboy hat, unsurprisingly, went to Ben Webster.

- Other News -

Get well Lilly Bennett who had a bad leg break in the Ladies game on Sunday. Joe Clarke, take note, it wasn’t just a bruised toe.

- Multi tasking -

You have to applaud Sasha Webster, unlike her husband who struggles to just do one thing at a time. I wondered into the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon to witness Sasha breast feeding, whist pulling a pint of Guinness. Asking if she needed help, she insisted she was fine, saying that she is used to handling multiple children, and doing tasks. I was unsure if she was including Ben as a child. I just hope she didn't get the two drinks mixed up.

I'm off now to catch the 61 bus, I politely refuse a lift home from Seb.

Yours, Lanky.