Crewe & Nantwich Academy 22 Wilmslow 19

A Sunday game of rugby is always special, whether we are playing, supporting or coaching. Even the one’s in the rain, on a muddy pitch, when the food after the game is not so good, they are still special.

The last weekend of the season is always special.

Playing in a competition final, with silverware to be won, is very special.

So, how special was last Sunday, with the Senior Academy, playing the last game of the season, in the Cheshire Plate Final, as the last game that the U18’s would play together as Colts?
Very, very special.

Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Senior Academy took on Wilmslow RUFC in the 2022 Cheshire Plate Final, running out under the sun on the Lymm RUFC artificial pitch. As ever, our vocal and good-looking supporters turned up in numbers to encourage the lads and enjoy the day and celebrate a great season, no matter what the result.

From the kick off C&N established field position and quickly forced a penalty, seeing C&N go three points up through the boot of Lynch after only three minutes play. There then followed a long period of play which saw both sides looking for openings and getting to grips with each other. C&N played to get the ball wide, while Wilmslow looked to kick for territory and keep C&N in their own half. Wilmslow’s tactics paid off first, when they found the first opening under a penalty advantage and went over to take the lead 3 – 7.

With the wind still causing issues, Wilmslow then kept the ball in hand with the forwards and put pressure on C&N, however the lads stuck to the task and kept them at bay until Wilmslow were on the back foot. A pass by Wilmslow was stolen out of the hands by Jacob, who broke free to make ground. Sadly, this was to be the end of his day and a great season as Captain, as a serious knock to the shoulder saw him leave the field to a well-earned round of applause.
The subsequent penalty for a high tackle on Jacob saw Logan take the points, and the game was back to 6 – 7. With Wilmslow in their won half, Logan again took advantage of an offside penalty to take C&N clear by 2 at 9 - 7.

Still on the front foot, pushed on by some ferocious tackling and work rate by Max off the bench, C&N took advantage of a great lineout maul to set up camp on the Wilmslow five metre line not far out from the flag. After a look at space on the right, the ball went back into the blindside where from a well-formed ruck, Josh made no mistake with a pick and drive to get over the line and see C&N lead 14 – 7 at the break.

The half time team talk was led by the players, with a focus on controlling emotions but committing to each other not to back off a tackle and to work there hardest. As Jarrad asked of his teammates “we give everything for Jacob and each other one more time”.

The second half was a more open game, as Wilmslow looked to keep the ball in hand while still trying to keep C&N in their own half. Strong C&N defence saw them making little inroads and when handling let them down Luke picked up a loose ball and kicked through to put Wilmslow back on their 22. When Wilmslow benefited from the whistle, their resulting penalty did not find touch and Toby returned hard from deep in his half to offer a great offload to supporting Harley.
Only a marginally forward pass stopped C&N getting over the line, then they were on the back foot as Wilmslow broke from deep and ran hard up the pitch. Only great covering work by Ben and Toby held them up, with the Toby then leaving the field with an elbow to the ribs making breathing an issue.

Wilmslow finally took advantage of their territory and from a lineout ran a training field move to go over and bring the score to 14 – 12.

With the score so close, both teams battled to keep hold of the ball and not make any mistakes. C&N’s forwards began to get on top of this battle and were well rewarded with a penalty that Logan slotted to extend the lead to 17 – 12.

Wilmslow were still in the game, and from the kick off they took the game to C&N, found a gap and went over to quickly bring the score to 17 – 19.

With eyes looking at the clock, C&N knew they had to strike back quickly. With Wilmslow electing to play out of their half and keep the ball, C&N forced a knock on and set themselves up to unleash their own training pitch move. With the confidence that has been instilled by coaches Dan & Dave, the ball quickly went wide, when Wilmslow would have been expecting a forwards drive. The ball went through the hands of Logan, Ben, Jarrod and Bob before Harry got over in the corner.

With C&N leading by just 3, the last minutes were a tense affair. Having lost Josh during the try move to a knock, Jordan then left the field with a knee injury. Wilmslow could smell a win and threw everything at C&N, but they would not yield. After a massive effort, Wilmslow knocked on and Sir bought the game to an end with C&N winning 22 – 19.

Both sides would have been worthy winners of a great game, however fortune favours the brave and Crewe & Nantwich took home the prizes.

For the Senior Academy, it bought to a close a first season of success that could not have been dreamt off. Not only had the Senior side won both its League competitions and the Cheshire Plate, it had bought together two age groups of players and forged them into a successful team of mates.
The legacy of that is the driver for the new season, showing the next holders of the Crewe and Nantwich RUFC Senior Academy Jerseys that team-work, effort and commitment will succeed.

For the U18’s players, coaches and supporters, it bought a close a thirteen-year journey that many have undertaken together. From Tag to Colts, from U5’s to U18’s, is a lot of games and a lot of training.

Tries – Josh x 1, Harry x 1.
Penalties – Logan x 4