Sefton RUFC

Sat 11 Sep 2021

Wigan 2nd XV

0 - 0

REARRANGED

Sefton 2nd XV

Wigan 2nd XV

Sefton 2nd XV

It can’t be said that he didn’t have a go. The second team captain, Sean Muirhead gave it two whole games before throwing in the towel. Like Deontay Wilder at the weekend, he was on the ropes most of the time, eyes glazed over, a vacant look in his eyes, wondering why he had agreed to this. Those who gambled that he would quit within two weeks should be ashamed of themselves, I myself thought he would last at least three weeks, just missing out on winning the sweepstake.

Despite this drama, Sefton still had a game to play. A rearranged game against Wigan who cried off in the first week, however with only ten teams in the League, Sefton needed the game, but in hindsight maybe they should have just taken the points.

No third team game meant the seconds could field a full side with subs, however the usual cry-offs meant the team changed several times. A vicious dose of fresher’s flue was rife in the universities, which adversely struck on Saturday morning, after the night before.

--- The game ---

Wigan were solid, a typical rugby league influenced side, with lean, fit players. No scrum due to Sefton losing a prop Saturday morning meant the opposition were able to get the ball away quickly to their backs, and despite getting tackled there was always support ready to receive the off-load. It wasn’t long before they racked up a number of tries.

Sefton had a lot of ball, mainly from the lineout which they dominated, however there was very little success when getting over the gain line, due to a solid defence. James Hamling always seemed able to find the biggest two players to run into, and anything kicked over the top was gratefully received by Wigan, who ran it back with interest. Losing Billy Haist to an injury didn't help Sefton's cause, unable now to say "just give it to Billy"!

It seemed the only way of gaining ground was through the number of penalties Wigan gave away. The ref, though quite happy giving Sefton penalty after penalty, was reluctant at giving out cards despite a number of high tackles. Not making any friends in the opposition team, Ali Telfer at stand-off attracted a lot of this attention. Wigan played the ref expertly, allowed to dive over in the rucks, and hold on to the ball a little bit too long in the tackle. This didn’t mean Sefton deserved to win. Wigan played the better rugby, were more dynamic, and Sefton’s tackling on the day was atrocious.

In the end, Sefton probably tired the opposition out due to making them run, and score all the tries. This is when Sefton started to make some progress, and allowed them to have the final say. A messy pass at the back of a lineout by Wigan's scrum-half allowed Paddy Sinnott to intercept the ball and run in unchallenged. Ali Telfer kicked the conversion.

There was a few players who played well, with Paul Walker carrying the ball well, and Paddy Sinnott jumping well in the line out, however Man of the Match went to JP Ellis who managed to break that impenetrable gain line a number of times, to at least give us some territory.