Liverpool Collegiate U-12’s match report Sunday 16th Nov 2014 Home Game Versus Rochdale
Score:- Liverpool Collegiate 21 – Rochdale 75
Try:- Jack, Fintan (2)
Conversion:-, Jack (3)

Team ; starting Positions indicated.
Backs :-Dan(centre) , Fintan(scrum half), Finlay(wing), Leo(fly half), Harrison, (centre), Nial (wing), Dan Kavanagh (wing)

Forwards: - Sonny, Suneel, Ruari, Mathew, Jack, Jack H, Uncle Finbar

Once again the weather gods seemed at odds with the season and we were treated to another mild, dry Autumn day for the Blue striped delinquents to entertain us. It was good to see 14 players assembled at kick off time giving us the luxury of a substitute. Unfortunately Finlay was only able to play for 5 minutes, before being replaced by Dan K, so we played another game of iron man rugby, no time off for breathers.

Rochdale fielded a team filled by large, strong, tall players, reminiscent of an All blacks squad, including their star player who would easily secure a place in our U-15s, based on his size, physique, and speed. (hence forth known as “Big Lad”). They arrived with plenty of subs and were warming up and performing military precision drills, whilst our little blighters were still tying their shoe laces.

John Lynch bounded over to the parents with a large beam on his face, explaining for the remainder of the morning he was to be known as “Sir”. This was not due to a well-deserved OBE, but he’d been conned into being ref for the match.

It was decided to play 4 x 10 minutes sessions on half a pitch, which meant for a packed field of 26 players and Sir John. Collegiate started well and immediately threatened the Rochdale line, offering us hope for an even contest. The first 5 mins ebbed and flowed with a try apiece, (Jack), before Big Lad and his mates settled into their stride to leave us 7-28 down in first session. Session two was just as hard with Rochdale and Big Lad using their superior strength and star player to leave us 7 tries to 1 down.

The last two sessions also went the way of Rochdale, but our lads did get stuck in with two hard fought tries both scored by the mighty Fintan. The match finished 21-75. Rochdale were the stronger and better organized team, but not 11 tries to 3 better. Big Lad was an excellent, strong skillful player who deserved every point he scored, but unfortunately highlighted that at U-12s level one or two extraordinary players do make the world of difference. In future our lads have got to try and beat their mental block to take on the Jonah Lomu’s and see them like the school children they are.

Even though the result is recorded as a loss, I’d like to highlight many excellent passages and phases of play.
• Excellent Jack kicks and chasing down the restart, (scored a try from one)
• Ruari will now be known as “Rucking Ruari”, with a terrier like instinct for getting the ball clear.
• The two newest members Dan K and Jack H, both had great individual moments in attack.
• Uncle Finbar was excellent in line-out, stealing one short ball to put Fintan in for a try.
• It was good to see Dan H involved, catching, running the ball and enjoying the rough and tumble of the ruck.
• Jack, Fintan, Ruari and Leo were our fiercest tacklers, but I saw individually great tackles by Harrison, Sonny and Dan K
• Jack didn’t miss a conversion

It was to everyone’s great amusement that Hans had a mini-me in attendance. This was not one of his many children, (three of which were there), but Olivia Lewtas who was supporting a very fine black felt hat, Barbour jacket and Hunter wellies, just like her Sartorial role model!!

PS It was Sean’s birthday today and it he decided to spend it with our U12 gang rather than being waited on hand and foot by Lisa. Happy birthday Sean, did you say it was 54 today ?????

Match correspondent, (and Dan’s dad),Aitch