HOYLAKE v SEFTON GUNNERS (Under 10s)
1st Match:
Sefton Gunners Under 10’s played Hoylake in two games on
Sunday 25th March, winning both matches convincingly. David Murphy
charged over for the first try of the morning, followed shortly after by Joe
Heritage’s powerful run up the centre through the thick of the home side’s
defence. Hoylake managed to put some pressure on the
Sefton try line, but when
Luke Baxendale collected the ball from a rolling maul deep in the Gunners’ own
half, he managed a long run up the blind side before finally skirting the
touchline for a well-deserved try in the corner.
Hoylake managed a reply following an excellent burst from a penalty after a Sefton player was caught offside near the try line. Although the Gunners were exerting pressure in the scrum, Hoylake managed to steal another score early in the second half from another penalty near the line.
Sefton duly turned up the heat, with Matt Hughes attempting some lightning breaks before sending Joe over for his second try of the match. Luke took a quick penalty but unfortunately was chased into touch before an excellent break from Caleb Williams culminated in a great pass out of the tackle to Adam Beckwith, who dutifully touched down for the Gunners.
A loose ball and confusion in the scrum gifted Hoylake their third try, but a more resolute effort from the final scrum of the match – right in the centre of the field – allowed Caleb a chance for a score and, powering through the Hoylake defences, he took it.
2nd Match:
After a short break the teams took to the field again, and it wasn’t long before the Gunners began to dominate, with Luke scoring after receiving a great pass from Caleb’s initial break and leaving the Hoylake defence bewildered with a twisting run for the line.
Caleb made another incursion deep into
the opposition territory, only to be tackled before he could score – but not
before he was able to offload again to Luke for another try, demonstrating a
real scoring partnership beginning to develop.
Anthony Jones made a break after Sefton won their line-out, and took the ball straight over the try line for the Gunners’ third unopposed score. Ryan O’Donnell made one of his trademark solo runs soon after, leaving the opposition in tatters before finally falling to the pressure of numbers. Luke, working hard in support, scooped up the spilled ball and dotted it down for his hat-trick score.
Hoylake finally replied following a quick tap from a penalty on the Sefton try line, but it wasn’t long before the Gunners turned the screw once again and sent Anthony Jones over for his second try. The job was done and Adam Beckwith underlined the fact with another score before half time.
After the break, Hoylake managed another try following an interception, and there followed a sustained period of pressure by the Gunners in response that allowed them to play their best ever rugby. Caleb made a powerful break, passed fluidly to Patrick McGreary tearing up the blind side, who then popped the ball straight into David’s hands for him to thunder over the try line for Sefton.
The Gunners continued to play some great running rugby, passing the ball through hands, including the Hunter brothers Sean and Tom, and showing a glimpse of what they will be capable of as they continue to improve their game. Two satisfying wins with great tries, and a fantastic final five minutes. Well done, lads!