West Park U13’s Match Report Sunday 18th November home game against Preston Grasshoppers.
I would just like to start of by pointing out that the U13's participated in the Anti-Bullying week by all the boys wearing odd socks. Preston also got involved and a great good natured game was enjoyed by all.
A closely fought contest at Preston last week made for an interesting return visit today. West park U13’s hosted a developmental Grasshoppers team who came with intentions of more than just taking part. Early exchanges had the hoppers hassled and harried to a virtual standstill by a home team as composed and clinical as they were physical and powerful. OwenM (Owdog) making himself big in every contest, driving like an M4 Sherman tank and producing his biggest contribution of the season so far and proof *that an abundance in effort can outweigh a deficit in confidence*. Mama Moorby should be proud.
But credit to the Improving Preston side who refused to drop their heads and gave 100% to the end, a low score not entirely reflective of the Hoppers compelling efforts with and without the ball. But a barrage of Electric running from Luke who continues to mature with each game forced the tourists on the back foot leaving broken spirits in his wake and was deserved of today's MOM.
Taylor’s new Gail Platt haircut allowed him the added vision to brake the line frequently and his improved strength and agility is catching the eye of many a spectator.
The Hoppers were able to move the ball with spells of pressure in the WP 20 but they often ended up choked in Alfie’s (aka Boris😂😂😂) defensive blanket and had the attackers bodies shuddering. Boris also earned todays Duffus of the day for a Jon Wilkin like kick that lost more yards than Coach Ro in a postmatch boat race.
If the last quarter was rather more fraught, it further underlined the impressive depth in the WP team and
Mentions to HarryW (Pickle) who should take confidence from how he took the ball up, Jake (The Beast) for carrying 5 players 20 yards to barrel over the line, and George for another display of elite level Rugby IQ.
The final whistle saw a number of Hoppers fall to the ground with exhaustion which served as testimony to the huge effort the 10 men had put in against the rolling numbers of West Park but also the power and pace of the home side.
Report P Strett
A closely fought contest at Preston last week made for an interesting return visit today. West park U13’s hosted a developmental Grasshoppers team who came with intentions of more than just taking part. Early exchanges had the hoppers hassled and harried to a virtual standstill by a home team as composed and clinical as they were physical and powerful. OwenM (Owdog) making himself big in every contest, driving like an M4 Sherman tank and producing his biggest contribution of the season so far and proof *that an abundance in effort can outweigh a deficit in confidence*. Mama Moorby should be proud.
But credit to the Improving Preston side who refused to drop their heads and gave 100% to the end, a low score not entirely reflective of the Hoppers compelling efforts with and without the ball. But a barrage of Electric running from Luke who continues to mature with each game forced the tourists on the back foot leaving broken spirits in his wake and was deserved of today's MOM.
Taylor’s new Gail Platt haircut allowed him the added vision to brake the line frequently and his improved strength and agility is catching the eye of many a spectator.
The Hoppers were able to move the ball with spells of pressure in the WP 20 but they often ended up choked in Alfie’s (aka Boris😂😂😂) defensive blanket and had the attackers bodies shuddering. Boris also earned todays Duffus of the day for a Jon Wilkin like kick that lost more yards than Coach Ro in a postmatch boat race.
If the last quarter was rather more fraught, it further underlined the impressive depth in the WP team and
Mentions to HarryW (Pickle) who should take confidence from how he took the ball up, Jake (The Beast) for carrying 5 players 20 yards to barrel over the line, and George for another display of elite level Rugby IQ.
The final whistle saw a number of Hoppers fall to the ground with exhaustion which served as testimony to the huge effort the 10 men had put in against the rolling numbers of West Park but also the power and pace of the home side.
Report P Strett
West Park Under 12’s Waterfall Week 2 – Warrington RUFC & LSH RFC @ Moss Lane
Game week #1 in this season’s waterfall didn’t go to plan. Low numbers and injuries to key players during the first match meant the boys came away empty handed on the day so the trip to local rivals Liverpool St Helens for Round 2 was keenly anticipated. The boys had trained well, picked up some exciting new blood and had a great couple of games under their belts in the interim so confidence was high as everyone rocked up at Moss Lane in perfect conditions for rugby.
Game 1 – Warrington RUFC v West Park RFC
West Park’s last encounter with Warrington was a hard-fought tussle that the Green and Gold came out on top in, so as the boys lined up for their first game the touchline buzzed with anticipation. The early exchanges went Warrington’s way as both teams probed for an opening until a clever break from a ruck saw Dan force his way over the try line to open the scoring. Warrington countered straight away when their tricky fullback made the most of a gap to break through and level the scores with a well taken try. Warrington kicked the ball dead from the re-start, handing West Park the feed at a scrum on half way, the lads broke at speed, feeding George who took a powerful run to gain yards up the middle. Good field position and graft in the ruck saw the ball come out to James who straightened up the attack to burst through for a second score. Warrington won the ball from their own kick off only for superb counter-rucking from Alfie and Ed to win the ball back. Rory got hands on the ball going forward and broke the Warrington line to set up field position for George to notch a superb score for 3-1. West Park tails up with half time looming. A booming tackle from George gave possession to West Park which drew a penalty. A quick tap saw a swift break, the ball moving through hands to Nathaniel who notched a fine try for a 4-1 half time lead.
West Park regained the ball from a well-taken re-start kick. Oliver is new to Union but his display in this game belied his inexperience and a bursting, jinking run at the heart of the Warrington defence set up perfect territorial position where the ball was thrown from centre field to the right wing before being recycled from a ruck, moved quickly to the opposite flank where Zack produced a superb inside ball for James to crash onto for try number 5. A superb team score. The re-start saw West Park gather the ball and march up-field, the ball eventually coming to Zach to finish well out wide for #6. Warrington rallied briefly and carried the ball forward but solid defence from Rory, Dan, James and Oli S forced a turnover. West Park were only looking forwards at this stage and another fine handling move saw the ball arrive with Luke who notched a cracker to take the game beyond their Cheshire counterpart’s reach at 7-1. With the game over as a contest the lads played out time for a fine win.
Game 2 – Liverpool ST Helens RFC v West Park
LSH could only field ten players so West Park had to manage a larger bench than expected but the rolling subs didn’t hinder the lads’ performance. The Green Machine put pressure on the LSH line before the ever-reliable Dan ripped the ball from a ruck and rolled over for 1-0. West Park took the ball deep in their own half from the re-start. An elusive run from Luke got the ball to halfway where the ball was popped out from the tackle to George who went on a rampaging run, throwing more dummies than an angry baby to create his own space and crash through for a brilliant score. More possession after the re-start saw Oli Quirke rip the ball strongly from a maul and feed George who moved like a bowling ball, scattering LSH jersey’s before feeding Sam who cleverly set up Zach for another fine try. 3-0 at half time.
West Park fielded the ball from the re-start and a pop pass from Nate got Luke on the ball. The lad playing up a year then ripped through the LSH lines to go the length of the field for a fine score. West Park were ominous now and dominating possession. More superb passing saw the ball reach Nick who looked to be out of space before cleverly cutting inside to claim a well-deserved try. Some rare sloppy play in their own half saw the loose ball break to an LSH player who broke well to notch a deserved consolation. Official Tony ‘Flash’ Whalley called time on proceedings to see West Park run out 5-1 winners with a second win from two on the day.
Work done for the day, the lads retired to the club house for well-earned chips and a cold can, reflecting on some fantastic rugby played on the morning and relaxing before more tough challenges to come. If they play like they did today, they won’t go far wrong.
Report N Holliday
Game 1 – Warrington RUFC v West Park RFC
West Park’s last encounter with Warrington was a hard-fought tussle that the Green and Gold came out on top in, so as the boys lined up for their first game the touchline buzzed with anticipation. The early exchanges went Warrington’s way as both teams probed for an opening until a clever break from a ruck saw Dan force his way over the try line to open the scoring. Warrington countered straight away when their tricky fullback made the most of a gap to break through and level the scores with a well taken try. Warrington kicked the ball dead from the re-start, handing West Park the feed at a scrum on half way, the lads broke at speed, feeding George who took a powerful run to gain yards up the middle. Good field position and graft in the ruck saw the ball come out to James who straightened up the attack to burst through for a second score. Warrington won the ball from their own kick off only for superb counter-rucking from Alfie and Ed to win the ball back. Rory got hands on the ball going forward and broke the Warrington line to set up field position for George to notch a superb score for 3-1. West Park tails up with half time looming. A booming tackle from George gave possession to West Park which drew a penalty. A quick tap saw a swift break, the ball moving through hands to Nathaniel who notched a fine try for a 4-1 half time lead.
West Park regained the ball from a well-taken re-start kick. Oliver is new to Union but his display in this game belied his inexperience and a bursting, jinking run at the heart of the Warrington defence set up perfect territorial position where the ball was thrown from centre field to the right wing before being recycled from a ruck, moved quickly to the opposite flank where Zack produced a superb inside ball for James to crash onto for try number 5. A superb team score. The re-start saw West Park gather the ball and march up-field, the ball eventually coming to Zach to finish well out wide for #6. Warrington rallied briefly and carried the ball forward but solid defence from Rory, Dan, James and Oli S forced a turnover. West Park were only looking forwards at this stage and another fine handling move saw the ball arrive with Luke who notched a cracker to take the game beyond their Cheshire counterpart’s reach at 7-1. With the game over as a contest the lads played out time for a fine win.
Game 2 – Liverpool ST Helens RFC v West Park
LSH could only field ten players so West Park had to manage a larger bench than expected but the rolling subs didn’t hinder the lads’ performance. The Green Machine put pressure on the LSH line before the ever-reliable Dan ripped the ball from a ruck and rolled over for 1-0. West Park took the ball deep in their own half from the re-start. An elusive run from Luke got the ball to halfway where the ball was popped out from the tackle to George who went on a rampaging run, throwing more dummies than an angry baby to create his own space and crash through for a brilliant score. More possession after the re-start saw Oli Quirke rip the ball strongly from a maul and feed George who moved like a bowling ball, scattering LSH jersey’s before feeding Sam who cleverly set up Zach for another fine try. 3-0 at half time.
West Park fielded the ball from the re-start and a pop pass from Nate got Luke on the ball. The lad playing up a year then ripped through the LSH lines to go the length of the field for a fine score. West Park were ominous now and dominating possession. More superb passing saw the ball reach Nick who looked to be out of space before cleverly cutting inside to claim a well-deserved try. Some rare sloppy play in their own half saw the loose ball break to an LSH player who broke well to notch a deserved consolation. Official Tony ‘Flash’ Whalley called time on proceedings to see West Park run out 5-1 winners with a second win from two on the day.
Work done for the day, the lads retired to the club house for well-earned chips and a cold can, reflecting on some fantastic rugby played on the morning and relaxing before more tough challenges to come. If they play like they did today, they won’t go far wrong.
Report N Holliday
