~ Junior Match Report ~
Aspull Under 7’s Vs Chorley Under 7’s
On a very cold blustery day Chorley travelled to Aspull to play a round robin tournament with Aspull RUFC and Sefton RUFC.
Unfortunately Sefton were unable to field a team leaving just Aspull Under 7’s and Chorley’s Under 7’s to play a number of games between themselves. In total 3 games were played and Chorley were victorious in all 3 encounters.
The first game saw Chorley romp to an 8 try to 3 victory. Chorley started well after Chorley’s Captain Aimee Brook won the toss and decided to attack from the off. This lead to Euan Graham bagging the first of his 3 tries in this game after some swift handling, straight running and good support play. This style of Rugby seem the order of the day for Chorley and proceeded to run in try after unanswered try with Evan Preston grabbing a hat trick and Ben Hughes scoring a brace of tries. One with a side step that would have fooled the most solid of international defences at the end. Aspull were unlucky on a few occasions when becoming confused as to where the try line and sides were. However, at the end managed to claw back a few tries managing to score 3 well worked tries.
The second game was a much closer affair with Chorley winning 6 tries to 5. Chorley continued to attack well, running those straight lines as they did in the first game and were always looking to offload to a supporting runner to score. Although Aspull had stepped up their game Chorley’s defence was immense and with stood wave after wave of attack consistently taking the tackle count to 6 and getting the turn over ball. It was after these barn storming defensive plays that Euan Graham was able to grab the first of his 5 tries in this second game. Euan continued to press home Chorley’s defensive advantage and superior attacking skills and scored a further 4 tries taking his tally for the game to 5. Patrick Ostridge scoring a fantastic try after some excellent support play seemed to put the game to bed whilst Chorley were 6 tries to 2 up. Chorley however, lost a little control towards the end and allowed Aspull to run in three good tries at the end. Final score Chorley 6 Aspull 5.
The third game was a try fest! Chorley winning 10 tries to 9. Defences on both teams were tiring and this allowed the game to open up. However, Chorley using those handling skills as well as supporting the runner as has been coached all year were working well. Euan Graham again bagging 5 tries. Ben Hughes getting his 2nd brace of the day and Alex Moss claiming his first hatrick.
This was a fantastic display of both attacking and defensive Rugby. All the children participating played well, stayed focussed and never once allowed their heads to drop. The coaching staff Tim Holland and Jim Smith also deserves credit for the day as it was their coaching that allowed the children to perform on the day.
Aspull RUFC Under 10’s, Sefton RUFC Under 10’s and Chorley RUFC Under 10’s (round robin tournament)
Chorley Under 10’s also travelled to Aspull to play in a similar round robin tournament as the Under 7’s. However, Sefton were able to field a team in this age group. The prospect of playing 2 established Under 10’s squads looked a little daunting to Chorley’s Coaching team. But as we found out we had nothing to fear!
Aspull RUFC Under 10’s 1 Vs Chorley RUFC Under 10’s 4
After having played a number of tough matches this year many against squads in older age groups Chorley used this to their advantage when playing children of their own age.
Chorley pressed home this advantage very early on after the kick off when firstly defending. Some outstanding and power house tackling and rucking from Matt Spencer, Patrick Holland and Alex Ostridge. Saw the ball get turned over. Chorley using some sublime handling got the ball quickly to Reece Pozzi the Chorley scrum half who raced home to score the first try. Aspull took the kick off quickly and came straight back at Chorley. After some strong defence again the ball was knocked on and this allowed Chorley pack to show their dominance and technique being coached by the most prolific scrummager in John “Yogi” Witts. Alex Ostridge and Tim John were propping the 3 man scrum with Hannah Brook in her new role as Hooker out striped the Aspull pack all game. It got to the point when Chorley’s hooker was told not to compete for Aspull’s ball to enable the home team to at least get ball in hand. However, Chorley were on the up and confidence was brimming, excellent support play and handling saw Adam Scott at Centre race home and Andrew Townsend the stand off score the final try of the first half to see Chorley go in 3 nil up. The second half was much the same as the first with Chorley dominating affairs in the tackle and the ruck. The line out performed well and the scrum although at this stage was only a leaning on affair enabled Chorley to set up attack after attack. This saw JackGerrard romp home from half way to score Chorley’s fourth and final try of the game. As the game drew to a close Chorley went to sleep and Aspull finished the game scoring a consolation try.
Sefton U10 0 vs Chorley U10s 6
With the last game raising confidence even higher Chorley started the game very strongly. As with the last game Chorley’s pack had to be reigned in and were told not to compete against the opposition scrum or line out. However, this did not affect the course of the game. With Andrew John the Under 10’s backs coach commanding his back line like a General Chorley when they did get ball in hand moved the ball efficiently in to space and gave options either side of the runner. The running was mesmeric and took the crowd by surprise as well as the Sefton defence. Chorley scored their only try of the half through some swift hands to Seb “ Usain Bolt” Wilson who ran ¾ of the length of the field.
The 2nd half was a much more open affair. After having found that as players Chorley could out muscle Sefton in the ruck, maul and tackle pressed home this advantage. Alex Ostridge, Matt Spencer, Patrick Holland and Adam Scott stood out. Time after time Chorley’s well organised and flat defence forcing Sefton back to their own try line only for Sefton to then either throw the ball away or drop it for Chorley to pick up and score. Adam Scott score 2 of this 3 tries in this manner. The third was taken at pace running on to the ball and running some excellent lines so tha5t Sefton’s defence couldn’t get close enough to lay a finger on him. Matt Spencer also scored a try after good defensive pressure from Alex Ostridge. Seb Wilson who was earlier adjudged to have dropped the ball over the line after a fantastic run from ½ way scored his 2ndtry late in the game to seal the 6 try to nil win.
The 2 performances were much improved performances than in previous weeks. However, credit must go to all the players who have kept up training and showed what they can do when playing appropriate fixtures against sides of their own age group. The coaching too has improved performance with handling, support play, rucking, mauling all being head and shoulders above the opposition.
Chorley’s next game is on the 1st March 2009 away at Preston Grasshoppers. This is a return fixture Chorley will now be entering this game high on confidence after the weekends performance. The Under 7’s looking to complete home and away victories against Preston.
Chorley 27 – Preston Grasshoppers 31
On a Fresh Sunday morning Chorley Juniors travel to Preston Grasshoppers for the first derby of the year. This was the First game for the juniors this year and hopes were high.
With the help of some of the hoppers players the 13 a side game kicked off. Hoppers kicking off with the ball handing in the hands of Jason Crompton who barraged his way through 4 tackles and ran 50 metres to score a try under the sticks. Try converted.
Hoppers kicked off again with the ball landing in Peter McCann’s hands, he drove the ball into the Hoppers forwards. With Nathan Murphy (captain for the day) and Luke McCan providing excellent forward power, second rower Danny Aspin raced 40 meters from the back of the ruck to score under the posts again. Try converted.
This time it was the Chorley backs turn to try their luck. With Joe Gibbs, back from illness, pulling all the strings, Ben Gerrad and Mark Garside combined well to set deputant winger Mark McDonald off. Mark received the ball 30meters out and weaved passed his winger and fullback using electric pace to score in the corner. Converstion timed out due to windy conditions.
This time it was Preston who pilled on the pressure scoring a well worked try into the corner.
Chorley’s ethesiasum showed from the kick off as good pressure from the Chorley number 8 allowed chorley to have a lino put close to the oppositions try line. With a excellent line out and lucky rucking and off loading, Danny Aspin raced over for his second try.
Half time finished 27-5 in Chorley’s favour.
The second half was a different story. Prestons number 8 and number 9 controlled the game in the second half and it took time for Chorley to put the shackles on them. However it was not all one way. Jason Crompton barraged over only for the Preston full back to knock the ball out cms before the ball hit the floor.
The game finished 31-27 to Preston but with 5 tries for each team, every player from both teams walked off with their heads held high. With all players, coaches and parents enjoying a fantastic game it was a credit to both teams.
Chorley Under 10s
Chorley U10's played Preston Grasshoppers on a cold and blustery day on Sunday. They started brightly, with the rucking massively improved from last weeks performance, as was the scrummaging. Unfortunately, Chorley forgot how to tackle on a couple of occasions, trying to tackle high, and the bigger Preston side scored tries as a result.
After a half time team talk from coaches Andrew Johns and John Witts Chorley flew out of the blocks in the second half and immediately put pressure on Preston with a series of strong drives by both forwards and backs resulting in a great score in the corner by Alex Moss. Chorley's tails were now up and far a large part of the second half Chorley were the better team ,recycling the ball well and tackling ferociously. Towards the end the effort told and Preston scored another try -Final score 4 tries to 1 in Preston’s favour.
However, this was a much improved performance and a fantastic game to watch, and this side is only a whisker away from recording their first win of the season.
Chorley Minis (Tag)
On a bitterly cold morning Preston Grasshoppers under 7's & 8's came to Chorley, Chorley came out on top in the first match winning 7-5, with a try from Euan Graham 2 from Alex Moss and 4 from Captain William Smith.
The second game was a much tighter affair ending 3-3, with a try from Alex Moss and 2 from William Smith
Chorley Under 10s 2 vs Liverpool Collgiate 5
Chorley Under 10's entertained a strong Liverpool Collegiate side in their first game of 2009.Liverpool agreed to play at the last minute and arrived with an Under 11's team rather than under 10's which threw Chorleys' selection into disarray and resulted in some very quick reshuffling of players.
The game started brightly for Chorley as Danny Aspin scored straight from the Kick-off.However, it soon became apparent that this would not be a walkover as Liverpool scrummaged well (Chorley not being used to 5 man scrums)and rucked Chorley off the ball time and again with their forwards getting around the pitch in numbers and working as a unit whilst the Chorley pack went in in ones and twos.This resulted in good clean ball for the Liverpool backs who scored two well worked tries in the corner.
Just before half time Chorley levelled the scores with a lightning break down the wing from Sebastian Wilson.
The second half saw Liverpool dominate possession for long periods despite some excellent tackling from Chorley.As the game wore on and Chorley tired Liverpool went on to score three further tries ,the game finishing 5 tries to 2.
Chorley can take heart from this performance and it is plain to the coaching staff that there is a huge improvement from the beginning of the season.
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