Liverpool Collegiate U-15 V Rochdale – Lancs cup

Liverpool Collegiate U-15 V Rochdale – Lancs cup
Sunday 30th November 2014

Score 21 - 3
Tries:- Gary (2), Kyle
Conv:- Josh A (2), Brad)

Cup day at Collegiate. To date we have played 3 in the lancs cup. Won 1, and lost 2 narrowly away, (bonus point on both occasions). Today’s task was the Rochdale U15’s from the foot hills of the Pennines. Now technically they have an advantage coming from altitude against us sea level oxygen dependant folk, but this was evened up by Rochdale only bringing 14 fit players. Ordinarily being a sporting outfit we would have lent them a player or two, but as it was a cup match it was their 14 versus our 15. Due to Rochdale’s deficit, all scrums were to be uncontested, much to the disappointment of our rampant front 3.(Larry, Curly and Moe).
Before kickoff John white provided a little light relief but turning up in full MAMIL gear, One very unkind parent, (Gary!!), suggested that it should be OAMIL. Personally any bloke over 30 who is prepared to coat themselves in lycra deserves upmost respect. Plus they don’t make it in my size.

Now some teams may well have rolled over and taken a beating, but Rochdale were tough as old boots and we had to work from kick off to final whistle. The energy our forwards didn’t expend in contesting scrums was more than needed in fiercely fighting every ruck and maul.

The first half saw Collegiate facing down hill, but staring into the blinding low lying winter sun, making every Rochdale restart and clearance a difficult take, but as stats man I’m delighted to say not a single spilled catch or knock on. Collegiate were dominant in the first 30 mins keeping Rochdale away from our try line and scoring a great try with Gary, but as mentioned earlier Rochdale were fearsome at rucking and they definitely won the turn overs in that half. Half time came with Collegiate 7 nil up, but without that warm feeling that it is in the bag.

The second half saw Collegiate change players throughout to give all attending a chance of mud wrestling but Rochdale still provided stern opposition, and some resolute defending saw us stop at least two Rochdale tries. Collegiate carried the ball well up the field and shy retiring Kyle went on a rumbustious lone man charge through the Rochdale defence. His team mates were shouting for him to pass, the coaches were shouting for him to pass and the parents were shouting for him to pass. Kyle was either deaf or full of the certainty in his own self. Kyle barrelled on, pushing defenders aside and scored under the posts, Josh A converts, 14-0 up.

10 mins into the 2nd half, Rochdale suffered a fairly bad injury and were reduced to 13. In line with the laws of the cup we removed a player and poor Alex M had to leave the pitch having only been on for 5 mins. Rochdale used the penalty to gain 3 points, making us realise once again that we hadn’t won yet and they weren’t going to make it easy. The rest of the match ebbed and flowed but Rochdale tired and we sensed the end, another good team charge up the field saw Gary crash through the defence for his second. Brad stroked it through for a 21-3 victory. Hats off to Rochdale for their 14 playing like a full complement of 15.

There were plenty of excellent performances across the team, Kyle;’s pick and charges, Garys speed and ability, Kuba’s dogged rucking and tackling, Josh Obeng’s forays down the wing, Josh Ableys kicking, Max Robbos 2nd half tackling, Matty B’s strong presence and Joe Mulhall’s line out dominance. Unfortunately we did let ourselves down with the ridiculous amounts of penalties conceded, failure to be chasing the clearances from before the boot hits the ball, (onside of course) and perhaps a failure to use our back line enough.

A nod as always to those not playing, but coming down to watch :- Matty F, Alex C, Michael, Loyde and Josh D.
By Aitch