Following on from last week’s Spring day at Liverpool, we were reminded that it was still March and travelled to the far side of Knowsley Safari Park with a biting cold wind howling across the pitch.

West Park scored first after good pressure by their forwards, we initially held them up over the line but then they regrouped and scored. After a good attack by Collegiate we were deep in their territory when a knock-on resulted in a scrum and West Park came down the blind side and scored in the far corner. After the initial 10 minutes of home team domination Collegiate warmed up and provided some excellent attacking rugby with good runs by both forwards and backs alike. Collegiate finished the first half much the strongest side. Although the West Park players were well drilled, strong and fast, we spent most of the second part of the first session in their half of the pitch ten points down at half-time, but everything to play for.

After the traditional re-jigging of the team, we resumed for the second half, but once again seemed to be cold and lethargic and allowed West Park to run in two converted tries. Half time 24-0 down.

We re-formed, kicked off and showed that we were actually pretty good at attacking, running rugby. We reclaimed the ball and advanced down the pitch with a fabulous run by versatile Callum Rich, (first half in the forwards, second in the backs). Unfortunately this run didn’t get us a score and shortly afterwards Rhys ended up at the bottom of a ruck and was carried off injured for the remainder of the match. From the resulting penalty the ball was whipped out to the wing and Aldi skinned the last line of defence to score in the corner, 24-5. From the kick-off we were straight back on it, excellent pressure from the whole team allowed Jamie to smash through and score under sticks, followed by a conversion by James F.

The boys were improving phase by phase, we competed at every ruck, tackled every attack and made good use of the ball when we had it. After an attack by West Park we were pinned back in our 22, Jamie received the ball and burst the defensive line, he surged up to the halfway, expertly chipped the next two defenders and he and Aldi chased all the way to the west Park try line , only for their full back to kick dead in the nick of time. West Park , were now rattled, and tiring and we pushed them at the resulting 5 yard scrum which allowed Mathew Bennett to gather and score, 24-17 with a couple of minutes to play. Now came one of my favourite moments of the game, Mathew Parker was passed the ball and he went on an awe inspiring charge down the pitch, pulling in Player after player, breaking tackles and gaining at least 25 yards. The charge turned into a maul which carried for a further 15 yards and that allowed the Matty F to get the ball out to Alex Carden to score in the corner. The conversion was narrowly missed.
Final score 24-22 and we were left wondering what would have been if we had played with some passion for the first 10 minutes of each half.
An excellent game of rugby, thanks very much to West Park

Once again it was an impressive team performance, with fitness and resolve showing to the end, but I will also mention some decent runs by Michael, Aldi, Joe Mulhall and Callum, excellent tenacious tackling by JP, Ed, (definite try saving tackle) and Brad and some excellent discipline shown by Matty Parker not retaliating after being punched.

Tries : Aldi, Jamie H, Mathew Bennet, Alex
Conversion : James Finlay

Match reporter, Aitch