Crosfields Cobras U9′s 40 v Waterhead U9′s 16
On an overcast Sunday morning, young Cobras welcomed a large Waterhead squad to Hood Lane, and both sides served up a fantastic game of mini rugby, played in excellent spirit. Cobras continued their form of late, and were buoyant following a half time appearance at the Warrington v Leeds match at Headingly on Friday. All 15 who made the trip to Leeds, turned out in a chaotic 10 minute run out against a strong Stanningley side, who had 13 to match us. Not much rugby was able to be played on the minute pitch, but the smiles on all the faces told the story, in front of over 16,000 spectators. What a fantastic experience for all the players. Highlight of the 0-0 draw was Boomer Stephensons hit on a Stanningley forward-rapturous applause from the avid watchers-well done Boomer, and all the boys. The result as ever was irrelevant, and rugby the winner again. You represented yourselves, your club and Warrington with pride and conducted yourselves accordingly.
Back to Sundays game, and I asked all 12 players to carry the enthusiasm and the memory of the Leeds night into this match, which they all did. Captain for the day Spence won the toss, and we attacked first. AJ, Timps, Boomer and Hally took us into an attacking position, and Harry threw his trademark dummy to open the scoring. 1-0. Defending now, and Hally, carrying on from last week, was first into the tackle, and went on to win top tackler with a phenomenal 22 tackles, proving beyond doubt he had his MOJO back, which had been missing recently. Well done you. Harry, Monty James and Timps carried on the good work, and we had the ball back.
We continued to run strong, Boomer. Timps and AJ, who took a massive hit (he doesn’t half attract them), but moving the ball wide the kiler pass went down, from Harry-unlucky guys. Another big hit by Hally and Harry spilled the ball, and we had it again. A strong run and offload by Hally was carried on by Timps, and then Harry took over again and created space for Spence, whose finishing power did the rest, despite the excellent covering attempt by the Waterhead player. 2-0. Waterheads response was swift, as they came down field and scored a deserved try, after strong defence again by Monty, AJ and James. 2-1.
End to end continued, and Timps, Spence and Monty, assisted by Boomer gave the platform, and Harry again was the provider for Winger Timps to crash over in the corner. 3-1. Webby, G-Man and Olly came on, and were straight into the speed of the game, and a cruncher from Hally, Webby and Harry saw the ball spilled. We then saw a 3 pronged turnover follow when great hits knocked the ball loose. Following a turnover, what I have always asked for happened, when Cam made up for the error, by chasing the Waterhead runner down and forcing the error back-absolutely brilliant, well done Cam. Timps cashed in again, when after strong surges by G-Man, and Olly, Boomer turned creater when he dropped off the runner-Timps. 4-1.
Back came the Oldham side again when they scored another excellent try, 4-2. The Oldham n0.18 was scything everything down, and despite the best efforts of Webby and G-Man, the ball was squeezed out again. A Boomer special saw the ball back with us, and Timps again was unlucky when he double moved. The match was being played at a fantastic pace, and both sides were running and tackling strong. G-Man, Boomer and Hally were racking the tackles up, and a great cover by Hally saw the ball offloaded to the supporting Waterhead player, brilliant team try. 4-3.
Waterhead were playing with a lot more confidence now, and another break, was again covered by both Hally and Spence, who saved a certain try, followed up by a copybook cruncher from Hally again. Love it. Boomer, Harry and G-Man had the smell today, and were hitting everything in the middle. This was a great game to watch. Half Time 4-3. I asked us to remain patient, keep the strong running and increase the defensive effort even more. The boys responded to my request, and a cracking second half followed.
The opening set of the half saw strong defence on the line, particularly from Spence, Hally, G-Man and Boomer again, and we then responded with a fantastic Hary Wilcock break, but went into touch. More sturdy defence saw the Oldham lads kept at bay, and then a great run by Cam, saw Spence go over in the corner. 5-3. Substitutions were made, Harry, Boomer and Timps taking well deserved rests and AJ, James and Monty returning. A stalemate followed, James and Monty getting through some work, and Hally and AJ forcing a turnover.
One of the moments of the match followed, when on a rabbit set, Olly took the 3rd hit up, and got absolutely “Mullered” by a peach of a tackle, and unfortunately had to leave the field, to return later-Well Done Olly. Another Harry special followed, after he came back on for Olly, when he again showed the ball and went-superb. 6-3. Turnover followed again, due to excellent defence, and a Webby burst, continued on by Cam, who took a gem of a pass from Hally, saw Spence cross in the corner-great try. 7-3.
More defensive pressure from G-Man saw the ball with us again, and Spence made the ground for Boomer, with his first touch, back on for Harry, scored a well deserved individual effort. 8-3. Tight defence again saw the ball spilled, Boomer, Monty snd James looking strong, and James took the ball back in hard, for AJ to break the line, lose his boot, but still manage to run 30 yards for an excellent try. 9-3. Waterhead never gave it up showing excellent commitment and resilience, and the little n0.12 scored a great try, beating 2 defenders on the way. 9-4.
Timps completed the scoring with a great individual burst, and fend to crash over. 10-4. Hat trick for Timperley!! Some outstanding copy book defence followed, from Hally, then Cam, who stopped runners dead, to keep the line secure. This was the key to the second half-strong, committed defence. Full Time 10-4
A very good performance, particularly second half again, where committed solid defence and the willingness to run hard and support the ball carrier paid massive dividends. An excellent match, in which Waterhead more than played their part. Well done to both squads for a superbly entertaining game of rugby.
HT 16 v 12
FT 40 v 16
Man of the Match – Harry WILCOCK
Top Tackler – Lewis HALL
Players Player – Brechan STEPHENSON
Most Improved – Louis BEAUMONT
Coach’s Award – Marcus GRADY
Scorers – Lewis TIMPERLEY 3 tries, Spencer RUDD 3 tries, Harry WILCOCK 2 tries, Brechan STEHENSON try and Andrew JOBLING try.
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