Eighteen players to go to Winnington Park, that wasn’t bad for an away game, however, this was Tuesday night. Brian Gardner was the first to disappear, going FTW on us, clearly thinking he can play with the big boys now. By Saturday morning another two had dropped out, leaving us with the bare fifteen.

On arrival at Winnington it was glorious sunshine, not a breeze in the air, on a beautiful playing pitch. As soon as the whistle went, the heavens opened, and it never stopped raining till the end of the match.

---- The Game ----
Sefton started well, putting early pressure on Winnington, and getting a penalty in front of the posts as a result. Jay Evans was on hand to kick for the three points.

A further advantage came when their second row was sent to the sin bin for not retreating at another penalty, stopping Precious in his tracks as he takes a quick tap. However, Sefton didn’t take the presented opportunities during this period, and Winnington survive the ten minute spell with no score against them.

Sefton’s scrum was solid, driving the opposition off their own ball a couple of times, however, their lineout’s didn’t go so well. The new lineout calls were confusing some of the players unsure where they were going, and a few balls didn’t go the perfect line expected by the ref. Thus any attacking ball close to the line was often lost, which allowed Winnington to escape.

Winnington loved to kick, and this kept Sean Muirhead at full back very busy. They also had a young back line that liked to run, and although Mckie and McCombie were solid in the centre, Winnington started to find space out wide on the wings. The first of their tries coming not long after their binned player returned to the pitch.

A yellow card for handling on the ruck by Jay Dempsey destroyed any chance of Sefton making any sort of response and left them struggling to keep Winnington out.

In the second half, Sefton faced more challenges as first Matt Faulkner received a yellow card for handling in the ruck, followed shortly after by a Jay Evans sin bin for a no arm tackle. Sefton were down to thirteen. At this point the backs were really stretched, and each time Winnington managed to get the ball wide Sefton were punished in quick succession.

---- Kicking Update ----
I think I have finally cracked it with Jay Evans, he very rarely kicks now, although he is spending more time in the sin bin, maybe his kicking the ball away is a release mechanism, and now he has to find a new way to get rid of his anger. My new arch nemesis is Ali Telfer, but don’t worry, I have already got inside his head, though at the moment he still think he’s a good kicker, there is a small amount of doubt entering his head.

Eventually with the full complement back on, Sefton started to put pressure on Winnington. The absence of kicking was the main reason for this new found success, instead choosing to run the ball. A strong run by Kevin McCombie set Sefton up ten metres from the oppositions posts, with the ball quickly recycled. When the ball goes out to the backs Jay Evans puts Owen Collins through the smallest of gaps to score close to the posts. Evans adds the conversion.

Further pressure ensues as Winnington try and find a way out of their half, using their trusted boot to escape. However, this time Jack Beckwith gets his body in front of the ball and it hits him to land by his feet. A solid kick through, and Jack is left chasing the ball towards the line. Now you have to remember that Jack hasn’t had his usual ten minute rest on the side line this week, so this is unintentional extra effort for the sluggish forward. At this point Paul Latham passes him on a slightly faster trajectory, and beats poor Jack to the ball, grounding it for a try. Paul would not be getting man of the match this week.

Some strong periods for Sefton, but indiscipline, and a lack of clinical finishing on the opposition line cost Sefton at vital points in the match. Winnington just did the basics right, and finished their chances when they came. Man of the match went to Precious who is starting to look like his old self now, after a few uncharacteristic quite matches.

---- Who is Sean Muirhead? ----
I knew it wouldn’t end well, with the pre-match warm-up going perfect for Sean, catching not one, but two balls to score in the corner. Unfortunately, he’d used all his good catches in that period, and during the match he dropped every ball. He seriously has to consider if warming up is a good idea for him, when you only have two good catches in you, maybe you should save them for the right moment.

---- In short, it’s the end of an era ----
It’s the end for my shorts, the ones that are older than Jay Evans, they finally ripped leaving me playing half a game with one cheek exposed (something for the ladies). What if these were the source of all my power, like Samson’s hair? Where else will I find shorts that fit snug, and make me look like one of the Village People? It’s a sad day.

---- An Irish Tale ----
In the traditional rugby fashion, in the bar afterwards, there was the usual pint drinking race by ‘man of the match’ (Precious), and ‘not-man of the match’ (Sean Muirhead). Now, as Precious mysteriously slithered away, Alistair McKie bravely took his place. What a treat we were going to witness, a true Irish drinker, coming from a land where legends are made. It wasn’t so, there was a cringing silence in the club as Alistair struggles to down his pint, even to the point of being beaten by Sean Muirhead, who is he? If his family had been watching they would have disowned him immediately, the shame he has brought on not just his family, but the whole of Ireland. I’m having doubts he’s even Irish, we will never speak of this again.

Brace yourself, Grant Leary is back next week for the game at home against Whitchurch, what will happen is unknown, with his unpredictable behaviour he could be off before he even touches the ball. At least his son won’t be there to increase his angry temperament. Off now to see if I can sew up my favourite shorts, perhaps I could phone Phil Osborne up, as we know, he’s a dab hand with a needle and thread.