Hoylake 3 Liverpool Collegiate 9

A wonderful sunny morning. Short sleeves and sunglasses the order of the day.

Liverpool Collegiate got the game going and were immediately on the offensive. The first attack of the day came from Jack as he powered through for the opening try. Hoylake responded soon enough, capitalising on loose ball for a soft try from Collegiate’s perspective. Finbar produce a strong run and with the release of quick ball produce the opening for Jack to race through for his second try.
Jack was also busy in defensive work with a couple of strong tackles. Ollie drove forward carrying a couple of opposition with him in the process. Leo was alive with some darting runs. Fintan and Danny producing some wonderful crunching tackles. Collegiate led at the end of the first quarter 1-2.

The second quarter started brightly enough with Ollie impressing again with a strong drive forward. Finley P and James were also keen to impress. Fast hands across the back-line saw the ball flowing across the park until Jack straightened the line and was unlucky to be pulled up some 5 meters short of the try line. A wonderful tackle from Finbar created loose ball and Fintan was quickest to react as he pounded for a try from close range. Finbar and Fintan teamed up soon after to set up a strong run by Leo. An evenly contested second quarter saw Collegiate marginally extending their lead to 1-3.

Collegiate started the third quarter strongly. Jack brushed-off a couple of tackles to off-load well to Leo who galloped down the line for a try. A skillful off-load by Tomos released Jack to race through for this third try. Hoylake broke through and after a period of pressure found the opening for a deserved try.
Ellis burst onto the scene supported by Leo. Ellis endeavours’ were soon rewarded as he pounded on loose ball and a try. A snatch from the half-way line by Ellis led to the pitch opening up before him and he raced unopposed for this second try in quick succession. The excellent third quarter was capped with a brilliant weaving run and try by Fintan to extend Collegiate’s lead to 2-8.

Hoylake started the fourth and final quarter strongly and were able to carve out a well worked try in the corner. The pack continued to work hard with Ryan, Finbar and James flexing their muscles. Collegiate finished where they started off with a try – Leo picked up ball deep in his own half against the run of play and caught Hoylake napping as he trotted over for a well-deserved try.

Full-Time: Hoylake 3 Liverpool Collegiate 9

An excellent performance by Liverpool Collegiate; possibly our best performance of the season. Quick to clear the rucks and release quick ball to a number of dangerous runners.

Player of the Match: the whole team

Team: Danny, Ellis, Finbar, Finley P, Fintan, Jack, James, Leo, Ollie, Ryan, Tomos