10th March 2010

Geoff Lightfoot reports...

 Having moved well out of the relegation zone in SLC1 after a five match unbeaten run with a game in hand and in some cases two over their nearest opponents, 10th place Wigan are away to Oswestry who are 11th in what will be a 'four pointer' as far as the Douglas Valley club are concerned.
With Steve Peacock out with a 'deadleg' Danny Winrow is switched to scrum half paving the way for the return of Paul Bullough at centre. The pack remains unchanged.
"We showed great character last week as we fought back from a 10 point deficit," commented head coach Ronnie Dutch. "The win over Warrington lifted us 7 points above the relegation zone but we still have 7 games left and will be aiming at a mid-table finish."

With hopes fading of a top two finish Orrell, in 3rd place in SLC 2, face a crunch match at home to 4th place Ruskin Park. Mark Hewlett returns from injury at full back, Jeff Gavin comes in at centre with Andy Draper given a run at outside half. In the pack Peter Sprung makes his first appearance of the season at tight head after six months in Australia, with Mark Williams given his chance at hooker after impressive performances in the 2nds.

With so many postponements the Miller Homes League 5North is making little sense at the moment. Having made the early running, due to four games having been postponed, Aspull are now back in 5th place and although they do have games in hand over their rivals these still need to be played creating a worrying backlog of fixtures.
This Saturday they welcome Colne and Nelson 2nds to Woodshaw Park in a 5th v 6th clash, with Tom Kennedy replacing Tom Wolfenscoft, who suffered a broken leg last time out, at centre the only change.

Still with games in hand Leigh are away to Wilmslow in North One West and although safe for the season will be looking to take the opportunity of moving further up the table.
The pack remains unchanged but in the backs Terry Knapman takes over from Ryan McKinstry at centre with former Orrell and Sedgley Park back rower Ian Grainey appearing on the bench after a nine year absence from the club.

8th March 2010

 Geoff Lightfoot reports

Southport 19 Orrell 0
South Lancs & Cheshire Div 2
Saturday March 6th 10

Orrell's peromotion hopes were all but dashed after they went down 19-0 away at Southport.
Despite the 'lions' share of possession and territory they were unable to break down a very resolute Southport defence. However they will look back on a series of missed opportunities as John Presho, Chris Owen, Mike Hughes and Lewis Whitfield all went close with runs that should have been converted into points.
After a closely fought scoreless first half Orrell went behind to a try and although they were always in with a chance it was the home side who sealed their win with a converted try in the final minute of the game.

Wigan 24 Warrington 13
South Lancs & Cheshire Div 1
Saturday March 6th 10

Wigan banished their relegation concerns grinding out a 24-13 win over Warrington at Douglas Valley.
With wind advantage the visitors made the early running and took a 0-10 lead.
Wigan hit back, Steve Peacock breaking blind to put Peter Rigby away. The flanker drew the full back allowing the supporting John Hilton to cross for a try. Andy Whittle converted and two penalties gave Wigan a 13-10 lead at the break.
In the second half Wigan enjoyed territorial advantage and following an eight man driving maul No 8 Wayne Bullough peeled off and charged over.
Warrington reduced the arrears with a penalty, but two late penalties from Whittle secured the win.
Match sponsors Malcolm and Graham Preston chose scrum half Steve Peacock as their Man of the Match, though Whittle and the back row ran him close.

Leigh 12 Burnage 12
North 1 west
Saturday March 6th 10

A converted try in the closing minutes by the visitors denied Leigh what would have been a well deserved win in a North One West match at Round Ash Park.
Burnage took a 0-5 lead with a try but the home side got Max Prescott over wide out after a superb handling move across the whole backline with quick ruck ball forcing the Burnage defence onto the back foot creating an overlap for Prescott to squeeze in at the corner.
Leigh were in full control throughout the second half, a try from Ian Wood powering over after a series of drives by the pack and converted by the hooker emphasised the difference. Unfortunately in the closing minutes as concentration dropped the visitors sneaked in with a converted try to share the honours.

Aspull's game at home to Chorley 2nd was called off earlier in the week.

8th March 2010

Shevington Sharks U16s 30 Moss Bank Bulldogs 0
Sunday March 7th
Shevington Sharks returned to action with an emphatic victory against Moss Bank Bulldogs. An outstanding team effort saw the Sharks register 7 tries for the second match in a row. But equally as pleasing was the defensive effort in keeping the Bulldogs at bay.

 The scoring started in the 15^th minute when Jake Melling weaved his way through the bulldogs defence to touchdown in the corner, this was soon followed as the ball quickly moved from right to left and found winger Will Levick free to again touch down in the corner, both conversions were missed giving the Sharks an 8 – nil advantage.

 Solid defence restricted any pressure being applied to the Sharks goal line, as half time approached Jake Melling once again went over the whitewash, scoring his second try of the game, this followed a succession of drives close to the line, the conversion missed and the Sharks went into the break leading 12 nil.

 Buoyed with confidence, the Sharks immediately had Moss Bank on the back foot, wave after wave of Sharks pressure was rewarded with 2 tries in the space of 2 minutes, the first from Man of the Match Tom Kay who outpaced most of the bulldogs team to race in at the corner, the second scored by Jonny Bates who ran half the length of the field following a great break from Kieran Sutton, both conversions were narrowly missed, 20 – Nil the score line.

 Another excellent defensive spell ensured that the bulldogs could not get back into the game, and then came the try of the match, on 40 minutes, following a succession of strong handoffs, Tom Kay ran 70 yards passed a desperate defence to touch down for his second try of the game, the conversion missed making the score 24 nil.

 With the result beyond any doubt, a 10 minute passage of sloppy play followed where both sides allowed silly mistakes, the ball changing hands at almost every play.

With concentration regained the Sharks again built momentum and pressed relentlessly forward making good yards with every drive. With seconds remaining a penalty led to Sharks prop forward Adam Robinson driving through the bulldogs defence to touch down close to the posts.

 Terry Meadows and Ian Kay gathered the players together to give goal kicker Kieran Sutton the biggest roar of the day as he successfully kicked the goal to end the match 30 points to nil.

 Along with his man of the match, Tom Kay also shared the top tackler with strong running prop and coaches award winner Adam Mitchenson. Parent’s choice went to Danny “Astaire” Binder whose nimble sidesteps caused problems for the bulldogs all day long.

On a lovely fresh spring morning, ideal for playing rugby, Shevington played hosts to Warrington rivals Crosfield.
The 1st half saw Shevington strike first through a well-worked try for Jack Welsby. A cheeky run from dummy half then saw Jay Mosley increase the Sharks' lead. Some awesome defence from the young Wigan side meant that their opponents struggled to breach their line, however, with half time looming they were unable to stop a short range effort, taking the half-time score to 8-4.
In the 2nd half a more determined Shevington side emerged & they soon started to dominate the game. 2 tries from Spectators Award winner Louis Smith & a further try for Jack Welsby gave them a convincing lead. A consolation try for the Cobras was then followed by a great solo effort for Sam Halsall to end the match 24-8 to the Sharks.
Man-Of-The-Match went to Matthew Ellis, while Coaches Award went to debutant Connor Duffy.

Culcheth Eagles U8s 12 v 20 Shevington Sharks U8s
Sunday March 7th 2010

Shevington Sharks travelled to Culcheth on a fine sunny Sunday morning, but with a team missing several of its more experienced members. However, the young guns of the squad took their opportunity to shine and helped the Sharks to a great win by 28 points to 12.
Special mention should go to James Reid, Rio Smith, Nathan Connell and Harry Pierce who all played a half for both teams.
Shevington Sharks opened the scoring through Addy Kay who picked his way through the defence for a good try.
Culcheth forced their way back into the game however and it was Sharks players Rio Smith and James Reid who combined well to see the latter cross the line to bring the teams level.
Miles Roper added a great try to supplement his impressive defensive performance and nudge the Sharks ahead.
Eddie Braithwaite then went very close to scoring with a great stepping run, just losing possession within reach of the line.
Joe Riley opened his account shortly before half time with an elusive, jinking run from far out. The Sharks finished the half 12 - 4 ahead.
Culcheth scored the first try of the second half before Joe Riley and then Addy Kay extended the Sharks lead. Addy Kay's score was another long range effort that saw him turn the Eagles defence inside out.
Culcheth scored another fine try of their own but then conceded direct from the restart thanks to smart play from Joe Riley. He side stepped his way to the try line from half way.
The Sharks best try of the game was saved till last. A powerful burst upfield from his own half saw Miles Roper beat several Culcheth defenders. As he was tackled, a great offload to the ever supporting Joe Riley gave him a clear run to the line to round off an excellent piece of rugby from all involved (attack and defence).
Although Culcheth scored at the end, the Sharks were worthy winners by 28 points to 12.
This was a great game from all of the younger members of the team. Rio Smith produced some great runs, particularly in the first half, in what was his best performance for the club.
Eddie Braithwaite and Nathan Connell were equally effective in attack and defence, enjoying the enhanced game time and increased possession.
James Reid enjoyed his best performance to date and was in the thick of the action all game for both teams. He thoroughly deserved his first man of the match award.
Man of Match - James Reid - strong running and good defence in an all action display. Coach's Award - Edward Braithwaite - carried the ball well every time he had possession and made a couple of timely tackles. Spectators Award - Joe Riley - 4 great tries to go with a super defensive effort. Top Tackler - Miles Roper - tackled anything that moved and scored a fine try to boot.