Hard work pays off

The lads were in a relaxed mood, maybe a little to relaxed! We had a good win against Northwich at the end of last season and maybe that contributed to the first half performance.

All credit must go to Northwich who turned up to give us a game. Our lads were maybe a little complacent in the first half, Northwich hit the rucks well and this disrupted our play. The opposition back line were up quick and putting pressure on our back line also.

This led to quite a few handling problems, but our defence held firm against some strong running from the Northwich players. We applied some pressure and from a 5 metre scrum in the Northwich half the ball was charged down and Thomas Shallcross pounced on the ball as it landed over the try line. Calum Meakin adding the extras, 0-7.

The first half continued in the same vain, the black and whites struggling to get into any kind of rhythm.

Half Time 0-7

A few words at half time and the lads started off more brightly, now knowing they were in a game. Northwich conceding a couple of penalties in the first few minute of the half and Calum Meakin kicked a penalty, 0-10.

The black and whites continued the half in the same way with most of the play in the Northwich half. Thomas Shallcross got the ball in open play and some strong running with several hand offs saw him score under the post, Calum Meakin adding the extras again 0-17.

Northwich restarted deep in the U16's half and the ball was quickly moved wide to the right, Thomas Shallcross taking the defence wide before passing back inside to Joe Telfer running a great line. Joe eventually made it through a fragmented Northwich defence and scored under the posts, Calum Meakin with the conversion 0-24.

Northwich never gave up and worked their way up the field and this eventually led to a Northwich penalty which they elected to kick for goal and succeeded. 3-24.

Both teams working hard in defence as the ball moved between both teams through a series of penalties.

The under 16's applied more pressure and secured a scrum inside the Northwich 22, from the scrum the ball was moved through the hands and a direct run from Jake Threadgold saw him dot it down to the right of the post, conversion missed 3-29.

Northwich were not giving up though and strong run up the middle saw them score under the post, conversion missed 8-29.

An enjoyable game to watch and some hard work from both teams.

We wish Northwich a successful season and we will see them at Vagrants Park in the New Year.

Next week we see Altricham Kersal at Home 11am KO.