10 February 2019
West Park U13 travelled to old rivals Ormskirk in a Lancs Cup Waterfall fixture with a depleted squad due to unavailability.
The opportunity for the squad to show their strength in depth was requested by the Coaches and the players did not disappoint.
Hollywood (Adam) in his first outing as captain, failed miserably in his first duty by loosing the toss (even though we were using my double headed coin and he called tails), which meant WP played into a stiff breeze in the first half.
The team started positively with WP’s fast line speed and disruptive, blanket defence causing errors in the Ormskirk offence. The tackling improvement has been the most noticeable aspect in our recent play over the past few weeks and it resulted in ball turnovers which lead to 2 quick-fire tries from Hollywood, calming the nerves of the Coaches and Parents alike.
WP showed great determination at the breakdown with Greeny, Owen the Ox, and Billy the Fish (Jack C) not only turning over ball, but powering forward to give space behind the pack for Jamshed (James) and George (George) to open up the wide channels for The Fringe (Taylor), Boris (Alfie) and Smokin’ Joe to exploit. The strong defence and scumaging (to the delight of Coach Ro) resulted in a well taken try by The Fringe and 2 for Dessie (Ellis) romping home before George dummied his way through expertly to put the result to bed at 6-0 at half time.
A reshuffle at half time gave the lads opportunity to express themselves in different positions and re-organise themselves against an opposition, who to their credit, would not give in. They managed their tight controlled play much better and were rewarded when they crossed from short range for a deserved consolation try. Ormskirk continued to ruck and tackle better, but were eventually no match for the defence and attacking power plays of the forwards who managed to get over the line with Fiery Fred and Jake the Beast crossing (to the delight of Coach Ro). George continued to pull all the strings created the space for some good runs by Carrot (Harry A), Boris, Smokin’ Joe, Jamshed and a few real barnstormers from the continually improving Luke. Carrot & Fran were very unlucky to be tackled just short of the line, but eventually the pressure told with Pickle (Harry W) cleaning up some loose ball to see the ubiquitous Hollywood crossing for a cracking hat trick to leave the result 9-1.
Special mention today for George who a real force in defence and dangerous but unselfish in attack; Owen the Ox for leading the pack and playing the full game; Harrison for his defensive efforts before needing to be withdrawn with a sore shoulder caused by putting his body on the line tackling; Ellis for his 2 tries and specifically the Exocet tackle made in the later stage of the game.
Well done today lads-it is never easy to win away from home, but the discipline and attitude shown today was excellent.
West Park U13 travelled to old rivals Ormskirk in a Lancs Cup Waterfall fixture with a depleted squad due to unavailability.
The opportunity for the squad to show their strength in depth was requested by the Coaches and the players did not disappoint.
Hollywood (Adam) in his first outing as captain, failed miserably in his first duty by loosing the toss (even though we were using my double headed coin and he called tails), which meant WP played into a stiff breeze in the first half.
The team started positively with WP’s fast line speed and disruptive, blanket defence causing errors in the Ormskirk offence. The tackling improvement has been the most noticeable aspect in our recent play over the past few weeks and it resulted in ball turnovers which lead to 2 quick-fire tries from Hollywood, calming the nerves of the Coaches and Parents alike.
WP showed great determination at the breakdown with Greeny, Owen the Ox, and Billy the Fish (Jack C) not only turning over ball, but powering forward to give space behind the pack for Jamshed (James) and George (George) to open up the wide channels for The Fringe (Taylor), Boris (Alfie) and Smokin’ Joe to exploit. The strong defence and scumaging (to the delight of Coach Ro) resulted in a well taken try by The Fringe and 2 for Dessie (Ellis) romping home before George dummied his way through expertly to put the result to bed at 6-0 at half time.
A reshuffle at half time gave the lads opportunity to express themselves in different positions and re-organise themselves against an opposition, who to their credit, would not give in. They managed their tight controlled play much better and were rewarded when they crossed from short range for a deserved consolation try. Ormskirk continued to ruck and tackle better, but were eventually no match for the defence and attacking power plays of the forwards who managed to get over the line with Fiery Fred and Jake the Beast crossing (to the delight of Coach Ro). George continued to pull all the strings created the space for some good runs by Carrot (Harry A), Boris, Smokin’ Joe, Jamshed and a few real barnstormers from the continually improving Luke. Carrot & Fran were very unlucky to be tackled just short of the line, but eventually the pressure told with Pickle (Harry W) cleaning up some loose ball to see the ubiquitous Hollywood crossing for a cracking hat trick to leave the result 9-1.
Special mention today for George who a real force in defence and dangerous but unselfish in attack; Owen the Ox for leading the pack and playing the full game; Harrison for his defensive efforts before needing to be withdrawn with a sore shoulder caused by putting his body on the line tackling; Ellis for his 2 tries and specifically the Exocet tackle made in the later stage of the game.
Well done today lads-it is never easy to win away from home, but the discipline and attitude shown today was excellent.
