For the second time in two weeks Jack Beckwith has managed to get a side out, I fear he is being led into a false sense of security, only delaying the drop from a great height onto his head. His hair will fall out, his wife will leave him, and everyone will hate him. Mine only stayed with me because I didn’t tell her about being captain.

The team balance was good, with a solid, battle hardened pack, and a young spritely back line. Anger Management and Matty Cunningham return as props, and the battered transit van Perry Caine came in at eight. Jay Evans was moved up to stand-off which always worries me, giving him a free licence to kick to his heart content.

---- The Game ----
It wasn’t the most inspiring start, when within three minutes Knutsford were over the try line. It was clear Knutsford had a very experienced back line able to exploit gaps and move the ball wide.

It wasn’t as if sefton weren’t competing, causing havoc within the forward phases and looking like breaking through, but a spilled ball allowed Knutsford to break out of their half, and they were soon attacking Sefton’s line again, eventually going round the outside and over the try line. We have to question Ali Telfer’s training at full back, it was as if he had learnt from the best, performing some spectacular Campo style air tackles.

Another opportunity came to Knutsford from a scrum, taking the ball wide in a devastating clinical attack which allows them to score again. At this point Anger Management is looking to the bench for a replacement prop, does he not know prop is a specialist position, reserved only for the most gullible, you don’t hear Cunningham complaining, he knows his place. Gez would have to stay on.

Sefton eventually get some consistent ball, and push into Knutsford’s half. This time Sefton keep the pressure on, and after several crash balls Owen Collins is able to get over for a try. Precious converts.

Knutsford pull one back from a lineout, again using their backs to stretch Sefton’s defence and score in the corner.

---- Eight minutes at a stretch ----
Eight minutes, that is all he lasts, as Dan Leary comes on for his first ever game with his dad. Initially they play well together and Sefton gain a number of penalties which Precious kicks into the corner. A line out on the opposition’s five metre line is taken forward, and Sefton push for the line. Then mayhem unfolds. I’m unsure who swung the first punch (Dan Leary), but after that it was a free for all for several seconds as Dan is joined by his dad, and various others trying to hold the Leary’s at bay. At first we were unsure what wound Grant up, until it is revealed that his son didn’t connect when he went for the punch. Now most would laugh it off, but this is the Leary’s, imagine the shame this would bring on the family, he might have to be sent away, his siblings told he has joined the Foreign Legion to learn how to fight.

With the ref finally getting control, he gives Leary Jnr. a yellow card, until he starts to protest, then it was turned into a red card. Leary Snr. had no such problems, with a straight red for his retaliation. I’m sure I heard him say as he walked off the pitch “that’s how you do it son”.

You would have thought the second half would be a struggle for Sefton, playing with thirteen men against a side that was already finding space against fifteen. However, that was not the case, as Knutsford find themselves pinned in their half for twenty minutes. Knutsford were getting tired, and their full back seemed to be carrying an injury. Sefton’s young backs though were still full of running, and they used that advantage when Ciaran Fairclough kicked the ball through leaving the opposition full back struggling to control the ball as it bobbles over the try line, thus allowing Fairclough to ground the ball first.

At the re-start Fairclough is on the ball again and kicks through the middle of the park. Initially it looks like the defender has it covered, however Jay Evans tackles him over the line, and the ball spills out. Fairclough is onto the ball quickly and grounds the ball for his second try. Precious converts.

Suddenly Sefton are within seven points, with Knutsford looking shaky. Unfortunately at the restart Lancaster ......................., and the opposition manage to get possession of the ball, (the mock from Mark Dobie was harsh, Dobie of all people). Knutsford grasp the opportunity and manage to reinstate their lead with a try .

After that Sefton could never quite break the gain line, and had by this time run themselves ragged with their thirteen players. With a full team, you felt they may have been able to turn the game around, but with two extra players it proved too overwhelming in the end.

Man of the match went to Owen Collins who seemed to cover every blade of grass in an attempt to neutralise their two man advantage. On a positive note regarding the Leary tag team, the inevitable ban will enable them to continue their other passion, crazy golf. I know Grant is keen to increase his best score of 95, and hoping to break the hundred mark.

---- Princess sHambling’s last stand ----
Well he’s proved me wrong, laughing all the way to the hospital. Apparently his knee was quite bad when he hobbled off last week, tearing his ACL again. So he is calling it a day. The lad is a walking disaster, who can’t walk, he’s done nothing but let us down, denying me at least another ten years of ridicule. Who can I pick on now?

It was good to hear all the good wishes he has received though, he has never had so many compliments. Reminds me of a disgraced and humiliated MP who suddenly dies, and his peers suddenly start saying what a great guy he was. Personally, I only picked him because he sometimes brought his girlfriend down.

Next week Sefton seconds are away at Newcastle Staffs. I have a feeling the Wailing Wall will get its first use this Saturday.