
THIRD XV LEAGUE TABLE
COLLEGIATE 6 - 42 OLDERSHAW 2
It was a very hard fought game despite the final score, the Collegiate team battled throughout but only came away with two penalties from stand off Luke Baldwin.
Despite winning several against the head and the lineouts working well that final ball let the away side down. It was a good team performance with Dominic Laverty receiving a deserved MOM.
It was the final game of a long and productive season which saw the 3rd XV finish in a good position in the table within their first year in the Merit Table and it can only get better from here, a thanks to all the players for their commitment throughout the season and the coaches and manager for making it so successful.
COLLEGIATE 14 - 31 WIRRAL 4 It was another epic battle between two evenly matched teams despite what the score line suggests, the game started with both teams coming close to score with centres Dominic and Adam Laverty doing the damage in attack and where solid in defence. It was Wirral who opened the scoring in the first half and took a 17 point lead at the break.
After some inspiring words at half time from the captain the away team went into the second half in rampant form with breaks from hooker Matt Selway, backrows Peter Johnson and Jonny Steele the ball was quickly recycled and MOM Owen Pooley raced towards the try line only to be nearly decapitated resulting in a penalty try being awarded to him, this was converted by stand off Matt Storey.
The next try from Collegiate followed a spate of penalties by the home team the final one being just inside their 22 and from a quick tap penalty Jonny Steele ghosted through to score unopposed and make for an easy conversion for Matt.
It was a well spirited game and a credit to the team for competing until the final whistle, it also saw the welcome return of Dave Blair after a 7 year absence, a lot of positives to go into next week's league match. COLLEGIATE 7 - 22 ANSELMIANS
It was another hard fought game between these teams for the 3rd time this season, with the away team getting off to a slow start, which allowed Anselmians to create the overlap from the scrum and score twice from it.
The Collegiate defence was tightened up from that point and the team went looking for the points, with regular runs from Owen Pooley, Matt Storey and MOM Dominic Laverty they was able to breach the Anselmians line on a majority of occasions through out the remainder of the half, but the support was slow in arriving and the opportunity was lost.
The second half started the same as the first with the home team exploiting the lack of cover from the scrum from the backrow to score in the corner. The Collegiate team where then sparked into life by a solid hit made by Tom Loftus who took man and ball into touch leaving the Anselmian player winded on the floor.
From good all round play from forwards and backs led to a try being scored by number 8 Peter Johnson who from 70 meters out brushed of tacklers to score under the posts for a well taken try, this was converted by Matt Storey.
Although the score doesn’t reflect the game the collegiate team where in it until the end, but could not capitalise on their chances. Plenty of positives and several things to work on before the next match.
COLLEGIATE 38 - 0 ELLESMERE PORT 2
It was a superb display of rugby by the home side who turned around a heavy lose in the reverse fixture, the game was started with the home side taking full benefit from a short restart by the away team, from the scrum the Collegiate pack took charge and put the Ellesmere team on the back foot, with quick ball all day from scrum half Dominic Owen and stand off and MOM Daniel Gardiner the backs broke through the Ellesmere defensive line, this saw winger Dominic Laverty score a try in the corner which was converted by Gardiner (1st of 4).
The next try was through the work of the forwards who today where very mobile in attack and defence, they mauled and rucked the ball up the pitch for Peter Johnson to score the first of a brace of tries. Ellesmere had their only chance of the match but with solid tackling from Mike Deane he was able to prevent the try which would of let the away team back into the game, the first half was then brought to an end with another well crafted try this time it was Daneel Starr who scored under the posts and with the conversion gave the home side a 19-0 half time lead.
The second half started as the first one ended with another try this was scored by Peter Johnson for his brace, the next score was right out of the play book with dummy scissors miss moves and Dominic Laverty cutting back on the angle to race in under the posts to score a well taken try, with backrows Peter Johnson, Graeme Wilson and Christian Cain who had another sterling game in the lineouts running amok along with Tom Loftus it was only a matter of time before another try was scored and it was Tom who scored it. It was an excellent performance by all fifteen players with a lot of positives to take into the next fixture.
COLLEGIATE 17 - 31 ANSELMIANS It was a very close game again between these two teams, with the home team opening up the scoring catching the Collegiate team cold, it was then through the strong pairing of scrum half Karl Anderson and Standoff Peter Green that saw the Collegiate team score their first try of the game, it was neat passing between the pair that brought the centres Paul Anderson and MOM Dominic Laverty surge through the Anselmians defence for Dominic to score the first of his brace of tries. The Collegiate team fell behind again through mistimed tackles which saw the winger stroll in to score under the posts.
This did not deter the away team who hit back through Peter Greene who made a bullocking run through the opposition defence leaving them in his wake but just being tackled before the line, the ball was quickly recycled by Karl and through quick hands Dominic was able to score his second of the game.
With the loss of the standoff just before the break the Collegiate side lost a bit of momentum in the second half and went behind to two cheap tries, this sparked them back into life and they went back to what they do best this ended with Peter Johnson receiving a crash ball and scoring a well taken try this was converted by Karl Anderson.
With the game close in the balance the away side kept pushing forward for the score for around 20 minutes but near the end a ball was put down which the opposition run 75 metres to score and bring the game to an end.
Plenty of positives to take out of the game and several things to work on before the next match.
COLLEGIATE 17 - 12 MOLD
Like the old cliché this was a game of two halves, the Mold team turned up with a big pack and bossed the early exchanges and led 12-0, but it was the Collegiate team that took advantage of some quick ball from scrum half Dominic Owen and stand off Danny Oliver who put the team on the front foot throughout the game, a planned move from a lineout won by MOM Clark French, saw the ball move along the backs which Marc Anderson finished off a well worked try.
The pressure then came on from the Mold pack through a string of rolling mauls which saw them score two well taken tries and leave the home team trailing at half time. The second half saw 5 changes made and the this lifted the team, with a string of penalties within the first 10 minutes of the half a decision was made to put it in the corner, with a change at thrower to the more accurate new boy Matt Selway who picked out Graeme Wilson in the line and the Collegiate pack created a rolling maul towards the Mold line which ended with Paul Westhead scoring the first of a brace of tries, converted by Danny Oliver.
Collegiate had several chances to extend the lead which were held up over the line but the best of these saw a two on one opportunity which Marc Ando spurned 3 metres from the line to pass the ball for a certain try.
Collegiate had the majority of the possession in the second half and it was again from a lineout and driving maul that saw Paul go over for his second of the game this time scoring in the corner following an intricate backs line move, which Daneel Starr hit at pace and timed his pass to perfection.
It was a hard match and credit to Mold they played it in a good spirit throughout COLLEGIATE 12 - 22 PRENTON 2
It was another tough encounter between these two teams with the home side having plenty of the ball and a lot of missed chances to come away with the win. The first half was end to end with Prenton opening the scoring, despite this the Collegiate team where going close on several occasions before standoff Paddy Breen finished off a good flowing move to score out wide, which he was unable to convert.
Prenton then scored a further try not long after a failed attempt at a penalty kick which would of given the home side the lead closing out the first half.
The second half started with the away team scoring again, giving them a ten point lead, this spurned the Collegiate forwards into action and from another lineout steal from MOM Clarke French it saw a serious of rucks and mauls allowing the pack to force themselves towards the line which ended with number 8 Mick Nutt and scrum half Colm Evans with the ball grounded for the try, this was converted by Paddy who had taken over the kicking again.
With only 3 points between the teams, Collegiate pressed for the win, it was a valiant attempt but due to poor handling and overlaps not being used the pressure was not utilised and it saw Prenton run back from their own 5 metre line to score under the posts and bring the game to an end.
COLLEGIATE 58 - 12 CALDY 4
It was a polished performance by the away team, who over the last few games have threatened to give this type of display of running rugby. It was a hard fought game again against these two teams again, with the opening twenty minutes being mainly end to end it was a superb piece of work by stand off Paddy Breen who along with the centres cut through the opposition to score the opening try of the game.
The lead was short lived with Caldy replying with a try of their own, the turning point of the match came with Caldy on the attack and the line looming, fullback MOM Danieel Starr tackled the attacking player hitting him so hard he caused a knock on, this lifted the whole of the Collegiate team. It took the silky skills of Peter Johnson to break the deadlock with the first of his hat trick of tries, closely followed by his second.
The last of the tries for the half was scored by blindside Clark French who sprinted clear and touched down under the posts to score his first of his brace of tries, converted by Paddy Breen (1st of 4).
The second half came and the changes where made this did not detract from the strong first half team performance, with the countless lineout wins from second row Christian Cain the Collegiate pack where on the front foot, this saw further tries from Clark French for his brace, Peter Johnson for his hat trick and a brace from centre James Nottingham and backrow John McGann. It was a well rounded performance from the Collegiate team who can take a lot of positives from this game. COLLEGIATE 0 - 24 WIRRAL 4
It was another hard fought game on a pitch that slowed the quick running Collegiate team to a snail's pace, giving the ascendancy to the home team, the away team was unlucky not to register any points throughout the game as they had the greater amount of ball through great lineout steals by new player Clark French and all round play From MOM Phil Jones.
The first half saw veteran utility back Paul Anderson pulling all the strings at fly half, enabling centres Andre Vassallo and Matt Storey to put the opposition on the back foot for the majority of the first half. The Collegiate team was unlucky to be down by 2 tries in the first half through speculative kicks from the Wirral full back straight into the only patch of mud on the pitch, which the away side was reluctant to play in, which saw the opposition pick up the loose ball to score.
The second half was much the same with the Collegiate team holding their own throughout but unable to take advantage of the ball they had to score that elusive try, with the backrow's Peter Johnson, Phil and Clark scrapping for every ball, it's the front five who now have to raise their game in the next match to match the enthusiasm and all round play of the backrow.
Plenty of things to work on before the next match and several things that need to be added to by an already tried and tested team.
COLLEGIATE 7 - 24 MOSSLEY HILL 2
It was a spirited display from the Collegiate team, with a lot of positives to come out of the game. Two players stood up to the task of playing standoff and scrum half, Si Massey and Nick Humphries who enabled the collegiate team to get off to a good start.
The first half was end to end with the away team making the most of their chances and leading at the half time break. Several players stood out throughout the game with a fair amount of the opposition's lineout ball taken by Christian Caine and MOM Andre Vassallo which put the backs on the front foot for most of the game.
The second half saw the Collegiate team on the front foot and with the usual industrious work from Peter Johnson saw him get drove over the line only to be denied of the score.
It wasn't long before he finished off a good flowing move between the forwards and backs for the best try of the match, converted by John Massey.
Debutants Jonny Steele and wing Daniel Starr both having outstanding games, with a welcome return to rugby after 9 years by Bob Ford who showed that he still hasn't lost it.
There were a lot of positives to be taken from this game and it was a good team effort with a positive way to start the second part of the season.
COLLEGIATE 5 - 30 MOSSLEY HILL 2
An unlucky loss for the thirds to a Mossley Hill XV that were still smarting from their league defeat three weeks ago. Uncontested scrums meant that the pack had to prove their worth in the loose and, in the main, they responded to the pre-match call to play like eight back-row players. MOM Andre Vassalo, the ever reliable Pete Johnson and Christian Cain deserve special mention as does Phil Jones who completed his first 80 minutes for the club and acquitted himself well.
The back division was full of pace and aggression and Collegiate began the game well but a lack of communication between forwards and backs led to Mossley Hill having men over and they scored in the corner at the deep end of the pitch.
At Fly Half Paddy Breen's big boot kept on gaining ground but, in spite of glimpses of the try line, the boys in blue and blue were unable to make the pressure count until Pete Johnson made it over the line just before half time.
Strong running from the Mossley Hill backs created chances on the counter attack - in particular the loping outside centre and the rapid (if far from sure-footed) fullback - and they went in comfortably ahead at the break.
More of the same followed in the second half with Collegiate pressure not turned into points and Mossley Hill saw the game out while running in a couple more tries past a tiring 3rd team. Positives can be taken from the game as the side has played much worse and won games but the negatives came down to poor communication and some poor decision making.
The other major positive was that this was a friendly and we had already taken league points from this opposition last month. You can be sure that Mossley Hill will want a similar result when they visit in the league in January and you can be equally sure that we will be ready for them.
COLLEGIATE 28 - 7 WIDNES 4
It was another well fought affair between these two teams, with the Collegiate team turning around an earlier loss when playing at home.
The game started at a quick pace with the Widnes team testing out fullback Paddy Breen (who was deservedly the MOM ) was more than equal to the task and with quick thinking he turned it one of several attacks, on one of these runs he connected up with stand off Nick Saunders (who had another outstanding game) the ball was taken back towards the forwards who muscled their way up towards the Widnes try line for Peter Johnson to score next to the posts, which made the conversion for Nick more easier (the first of 4).
The game was end to end in the first half with Widnes scoring next to level the game. Tom Symondsen had a dominating game at scrum half putting the team on the front foot throughout the game, on one of his snipes at the base of the scrum he passed the ball to Nick who broke through several tackles with the ball ending up with Paddy Breen scoring a well taken try.
The second half saw several changes to the team showing the strength in depth of the collegiate 3 rd team with the direct running of Dean Leyland and the sterling lineout work from Christian Cain who secured not only his own ball but several of the opposition balls.
With Collegiate in the ascendancy it was only time before the widnes line was breached and the first to take his opportunity was Jon Gill who bullied his way across the line, this was followed by a well taken try by Gerard O'Reilly.
The away team could of scored several more but the chances wasn't taken, but it was a well deserved win and a lot can be taken from the display. A special thanks to all the Collegiate players who played for the opposition and played in the same spirit as they normally play making it into a hard fought game.
COLLEGIATE 16 - 13 MOSSLEY HILL 2
It was a hard fought derby game with the Collegiate team coming out with
the victory; the elements took a great part in this being a low scoring
affair. It was Collegiate who opened the scoring first with two penalties
from stand off Nick Saunders who had another commanding game along with MOM
scrum half Daniel Oliver; this was either side of a try by the home team.
It took a while for the Collegiate side to get in to the game which saw
them leading by a point at the end of the first half.
Collegiate came out the stronger for the second half, with a more dominant
pack, which came from the welcome return after a year out of Rob
Wilmington and after his first tackle it lifted the pack into action, the
lineout was working well with Dave Angwin in fine form stealing plenty of
the oppositions ball it was from a line out steal that saw Nick make a
solo run to score in the corner.
It was Collegiate who looked the stronger
of the two teams until a player was sin binned, the away team nearly rode
through being a man down until it Mossley Hill made the extra man pay and
went in at the corner; this was quickly followed by the Collegiate team
conceding a further penalty in front of the posts to give the home side a
two point lead.
Collegiate rallied at the end of the game and with the
game being deep in the Mossley Hill half the Collegiate team packed down
for an opposition scrum 5 meters from their line, as the ball was put in
the Collegiate forwards pushed the opposition pack back over their line
which saw number 8 Marc Anderson score the winning try.
It was always going to be a difficult game between these two teams with
several changes being made throughout the game with each player making a
telling contribution to the game, there was a lot of positives to take out
of the game and several things to work on before the next game.
COLLEGIATE 0 - 28 ELLESMERE PORT 2
It was a valiant attempt made by the Collegiate team, with the late change
to the venue it meant the team was without some key players notably in the
8,9 & 10 roles, despite this Chris Birchall, Chris Jones & Matt Storey all
stood forward and displayed the fighting spirit of the third team.
The
pack where quiet throughout the game with only a few leading the way, the
majority of headway was made by the impressive running of the backs that
on several occasions where just held before the try line.
The whole backline made several line breaks with MOM James Nottingham
making the majority of these and he was backed up well by fullback John
Massey who had his usual solid performance throughout.
It was a big ask of the players who played out of their normal comfort
zone as they played out of position, they gave it their all and performed
well despite the score, a lot more will be expected of the pack in the
next game to see if they can match the enthusiasm and aggression shown by
the back line.
COLLEGIATE 20 - 22 WIDNES
It was a lack lustre performance by the Collegiate team this week, who had
a below par performance for the majority of the game, despite going ahead
very early in the game they never kicked on and ended up playing catch up
rugby for the rest of it.
The first try was a good display of what the Collegiate side could do with
excellent individual play by Mick Nutt who took the ball forward all game
broke through the line to off load which ended with a good try finished
off by Owen Pooley converted by Daniel Oliver who next added a penalty to
make it 10-0.
Widnes scored a quick try to cut the lead this was followed
by another flash of good team work by Collegiate which saw Duncan
McCartney go over for his first of the season. Widnes hit back with a
further score to take the lead.
The second half and 8 changes later the Widnes team scored within the
first 10 minutes of the half this was followed by a score from Matt Storey
who stood in at stand off today through injuries score out wide, the
Collegiate team pressed for a winner but the game was brought to an abrupt
ending as a Widnes player was left at a line out on the floor complaining
of chest pain, we wish him a speedy recovery.
Despite playing the first half against an illegal 16th man on the pitch
and the second half ending in uncontested scrums the Collegiate team have
a lot of work to do before the next league game on Saturday as more will
be expected of them COLLEGIATE 50 - 19 MOLD
It was a good display of 15 man rugby by the Collegiate team, with
several players playing out of position, as Andre Vassallo who had
another outstanding game winning his own and opposition ball in the
lines, Phil Jones and Michael Deane all joining the forwards and having
their best games so far this season and it also saw a welcome return to
Chris 'Tiffa'McCartney.
The first half was started with the home side on the offensive for the
first 15 minutes hitting us with everything they had, then through the
productive work from Mick Nutt, Daniel Oliver and Ben Perks (8-10) the
first try of the game was scored through MOM Dom Owen who raced in to
score the first of his brace of tries.
The next try was created by Ben
who utilised his centres John Massey and Matt Storey (the only back not
to score in the game) throughout the game creating the overlap to put in
Owen Pooley for the first of his brace against his home club, this was
followed by tries from Ben Perks, John Massey and Andy Henderson (his
first for the club).
The second half was a much closer affair as the hard hitting from the
Mold team started taking its toll on the Collegiate team with the home
side scoring the first of their 3 tries coming from their big pack, this
sparked the away side into action returning tries through Owen Pooley,
Dom Owen and Dan Oliver who also added to his 5 conversions.
It was a
well deserved win from a very spirited Collegiate team.
Comedy moment of the game came at the end of the game with the
opposition taking a quick start from the kick off which was picked up
after it went 10 metres by them its just a pity it was kicked from their
own 10 metre line.
COLLEGIATE 68 - 0 WALLASEY
It was a good display from the Collegiate team who made the extra man
count against a Wallasey side who turned up late and under strength,
despite this there was some excellent ball work between the team that
opened up the Wallasey defence.
It saw tries from Andre Vassallo, John
Massey, Nick Saunders (5 conversions), Gerard O'Reilly, Reece and Dom Owen
scoring his first for the club in only his second game. A brace of tries
was scored by James Nottingham and Matt Storey with 3 onversions from
Todd Wain.
It was a game that was hard to judge with a half time lead of 41-0 and
uncontested scrums throughout the game, a lot of positives taken out of
the game but several things to work on, a MOM performance was given by JJ
Calvert who at backrow was around the park turning over opposition ball COLLEGIATE 63 - 0 CALDY 4
It was a good way to bounce back by the Collegiate side with an emphatic
win; it was an excellent display by all 25 players, who managed to create
11 tries by 9 different players throughout the game against a very tough
opposition.
The first of these came through Peter Johnson who had another
outstanding game both in attack and defence, as he was on hand to make the
hard yards to finish off one of the flowing moves created by MOM's
stand off Clinton Macaskill and scrum half Daniel Oliver.
This was backed up
by tries from centres Jamie Low and Todd Wain (to add to his 2
conversions) and a try by wing John Massey. The first half was a great
display of team work with all players giving all that could be asked of
them, giving a more dominant account. Andre Vassallo again giving an
excellent performance around the park and in the lineout's with several
steals and takes from precise throwing by hooker Tim`Trigger' Lynch.
The second half and 10 changes later the Collegiate team carried on
where they had left off with tries from half backs Daniel Oliver and a
brace from Clinton Macaskill (2 conversions), this was followed by tries
from prop Richard Abbotts and the replacement centre Owen Pooley who
grabbed a brace.
The home side played well and had more chances to extend
the lead it was a worthy win which was made even better when the
Collegiate team managed to keep the opposition scoreless.
Plenty of positives throughout the game, still some things to work on but
it was a good all round display by a changed Collegiate team.
COLLEGIATE 19 - 71 HOYLAKE 2
It was a valiant effort from the Collegiate team, in a game which was
closer than the score suggests. Hoylake started the quickest scoring a
quick 2 tries within the first 15 minutes, the Collegiate team was the
next to score this was a solo effort by Mick Jones who was first to react
to an Hoylake knock on and saw him race in from 70 metres to score under
the posts, converted by stand-off Clinton Macaskill.
The game was end to
end with both teams camping on each other line, the half ending 21-7 for
the home team.
The second half and the team stuck to their task and this paid off with a
try by Peter Johnson, this was created by some strong and elusive running
by Clinton and his 2 centres Matt Storey and debutant James Nottingham,
who through the excellent service by stand in scrum half Jamie Lowe where
able to beat the first man and break the gain line constantly throughout
the game. The last Collegiate try was the best of the 3 it started from
one of the many lineout steals by Andre Vassallo (playing his first game
with the forwards) the ball was quickly spread along the line and ended up
with another debutant and MOM Dumo Sidigi who again cut through their
backline with ease and followed by a delicate pass to James Nottingham who
scored his try out wide.
A lot of positives again out of the game it again showed a dominance at
front row from Richard Jones and Ian Christie enabling several balls to
be taken against the head which put the team on the front foot, and by
the positive attitude from all players during the game. A special thanks
to Jamie Lowe and Andre Vassallo for stepping up and excelling with great
performance whilst playing in unfamiliar positions.
COLLEGIATE 5 - 34 WIRRAL 4
It was another bad day at the office for the Collegiate team today, with
several players playing out of position and it showed at times but despite
this those players gave it their all; it did however mean it was going to
be a long day.
There was several positive in the game though, debutant
Andrew Wolfenden giving an assuerd account of himself in his first ever
game, the impeccable scrummage work from the pack who took a lot of ball
against the head and with the foraging around the fringes by Peter Johnson
and Gerard O'Reilly, with the as always charged performance by Todd Wain
and props Ian Christie and Richard Jones.
The game was close in the first
quarter of the match with a gap of only two points, with MOM Clinton and
Tom Symondson breaking through the Wirral line and the ball finally ending
up with Richard Jones scoring a well deserved try.
The Collegiate team
matching them pound for pound in a hard hitting match, but as it was
always going to be a difficult match to win the Wirral team had the
benefit of playing together for several seasons.
The score didn't reflect
the game with a lot of missed opportunities to score; it's something for
most players to work on next week.
COLLEGIATE 17 - 52 PRENTON 2 This week the 3rds got off to a slow start with a try in the first few
minutes of the game by Prenton, but the first half never got any better
with Collegiate ending the first half 40-0 down.
It was not all doom
and gloom though; there were flashes of excellence at times one of which
saw a nicely worked move ending in prop Iain Christie scoring a well taken
try, this was converted by Todd Wain who had another sterling game at
scrum half.
Collegiate pressed on for another score which saw some very
good ball handling from the backs which ended with Tom Symondson scoring
in the corner, the opposition gain line was repeatedly broke by MOM Phil
Brown with one of his bullocking runs setting up a try for winger Graham
Keeling to score.
The backs certainly showed the forwards how it was done
this week. The team has several things to be worked on and a lot of big
performances are expected in the next game.
COLLEGIATE 14 - 28 SOUTHPORT
It was another epic battle between these two teams which saw the home team
win by 4 tries to 2, it was through the early pressure from the Collegiate
team that paid off with a try this was from a rolling maul one of the many
line out wins from Chris Miles, the pack who had dominated throughout took
the ball up to the line leaving an open line for Peter Johnson to score
his fourth try of the season.
The Southport team got back into the game
through errors in judgment close to the opposition try line with a
definite over laps the ball was taken back in to contact by the forwards
just to see it turned over and kicked 70 meters down field for a lineout
which they scored from and followed it up with another quick try
Collegiate bounced back with some more forward domination this time the
rolling maul saw a scramble by three players claiming the try; it was
eventually given to Gerard O'Reilly. It was all going too well for the
Collegiate team until injury to the Standoff Paul Anderson saw him limp
off with a torn calf muscle, we wish him a speedy recovery.
While the
backline was reshaping centre Jamie Low stepped into the standoff roll and
gave a valiant effort to fill the shoes, the first half finished with
Collegiate being 21-10 down at halftime. The second half saw the pack try
to push towards the line again with the momentum starting to shift towards
the away team with the line at the Collegiate's mercy the rolling maul was
in full flight just to be abruptly stopped by Chris Miles's early lunge
for the line pity it was the 5 metre line an not the try line, not to
mention the fact he then shouted to the ref that he had got the ball down,
Richard Jones then picked up and went over the try line but was ‘held up'.
The Southport team scored late on to bring an end to the game.
A lot of positives to be taken out of the game with the scrums and
lineouts being dominated by the forwards, defensive play being of a high
order, and the improvement of the team spirit.
It saw the last game of MOM
Rob Gaskill who leaves the club for university we wish him well.
COLLEGIATE 31 - 14 SEFTON 4
It was a landmark game for the 3rd team, as it was the first ever league
game played by any Collegiate 3rd team. The game started at a frantic pace
with the Sefton team applying the early pressure for the first 20 minutes;
which the Collegiate team dealt with very well.
The breakthrough came from
some neat handling and line breaks from standoff Daniel Gardiner and his
centres Andre Vassallo and MOM Todd Wain, these where to make countless
metres throughout the game, after one of the line breaks the ball was
quickly moved and a rolling maul was set up and close to the line Peter
Johnson who had another outstanding game rushed over the line to score the
first of his brace of tries.
The second try had to be the best of the match, with Collegiate on the
front foot, the ball was quickly recycled from the restart and through
quick hands, the ball was passed along the line to the standoff Daniel,
who broke through the line and made a 40 meter break from his own 22, he
then off loaded to prop Richard ‘twinkle toes' Jones who in turn
sidestepped the fullback and made a charge towards the line only to be
tackled about 5 meters short, he then laid of a sweet pass to his fellow
prop Rob Gaskill who then crossed over to score under the posts again
converted by Todd.
The second half saw the Collegiate team start it as the finished the first
with them applying more and more pressure to the Sefton line, and with the
introduction of ‘Little John' and Ken Penton to the pack this added to an
already dominant Collegiate pack and both quickly settled into the game
and made numerous steals and line breaks throughout the half as the team
added to their score with another try from Peter Johnson, Daniel Gardiner
and scrum half Fraser Bird who was bossing the game well behind the pack,
with Todd Wain adding a third conversion.
It was a game played at a tremendous pace and saw all 19 players
contribute towards an excellent and not only was it a well earned win but
also a good way to start the new league campaign.
COLLEGIATE 17 - 24 ANSELMIANS
It was a slow start to the season for the 3rd team, who found themselves
down by 17 points at half time. The bright point being the excellent work
around the park by Tom Gill who we was unfortunate to lose at half time
with a broken arm (we wish him a speedy recovery).
The second half showed
the same fighting spirit that was shown from last season, the Collegiate
back line let loose with some quick ball from Fraser Bird at scrum half to
stand off Paul Anderson it enabled centres Daniel Gardiner and Todd Wain to
run riot. With a lot of quick phase ball from the forwards the first try
was scored by Peter Johnson.
With Collegiate now on the front foot it was
now the turn of the backs to dominate MOM Daniel Gardiner swept through
the opposition backline to score a well executed try, this was followed by
a well taken try by David Wright scoring under the posts which was
converted by Andy Henderson.
Collegiate pressed for the points to tie the
game but with the team only 5 meters from the line the full time whistle
was blown closing an impressive fight back by the team. All 3rd XV information will be updated on a regular basis, please click on the applicable buttons to view results/league tables and player stats. |