15 Group: Lancashire ‘A’ 28 Cheshire ‘A’ 6
On a perfect evening for rugby at Sefton, Lancashire sought to avenge the close defeat of the B team last month at New Brighton. The unrelenting schedule of cup and sevens rugby robbed the teams of some regular players and perhaps Cheshire had come off slightly worse for this re-arranged fixture.
The game started brightly with both sides looking to gain the upper hand and willing to take advantage of the perfect conditions. The deadlock was broken after 7 minutes when Josh Stratton burst through the slightest of gaps before stepping past two defenders to open the scoring. Tom Lancaster added the conversion and Lancashire were on their way. The pack were rampant with Dave Markham and Lewis McKay to the fore. Andrew Dauncey and Alisdair Sutherland were controlling the breakdown areas, providing a steady stream of possession for Ryan Glynn to distribute.
Taking their cue from the outstanding Stratton, the backline was eager for work. The growing confidence was obvious, as attack after attack stretched the Cheshire defence from one side of the pitch to the other, with Chris Schofield and John Pape finding time and space. The desire to express themselves sometimes led to impetuous decision making as a couple of kicking opportunities were spurned. When the visitors kicked a penalty to narrow the difference to 7-3 it needed control to be regained.
Stratton was on hand to make the most of the excellent service provided by Glynn. He ghosted through a gap and seemed certain to score his second when an outstanding cover tackle felled him. The ball was kept alive and made its way to the grateful hands of Tom Lancaster who scampered over in the corner. He converted his own try with a towering conversion from the touchline.
This marked half time with Lancashire leading 14-3, but it also marked the departure of the inspirational Stratton. It was, however, not the end of Lancashire's adventurous play. Lancaster moved to fly half with George Skofic coming onto the wing, Kyle Manson-Kullin replaced Matthew Johnston after a solid debut at prop and Chris Travis came into the back row for the exhausted Ben Vernon.
It was soon business as usual with Lancaster showing an eye for a gap and Schofield also finding deft running lines. Despite the best efforts of the backs it was a bullocking run by Kyle Manson-Kullin, finishing good work from Markham and Dauncey, as he smashed his way over in the corner. Lancaster again added the extra points to stretch the lead to 21-3.
An indiscretion too close to the line allowed Cheshire a chance to kick for goal which they converted. With the workrate unbelievably high fresh legs were needed. Johnston returned to relieve McKay who had run himself into the ground. Sam Pape gave way to Chris Tribley at Hooker and Richard Newman came on for Nick Watson.
Manson-Kullin was running like a man possessed and he once more rampaged his way through the Cheshire defence. It seemed that the prop would streak at least half the length of the field to score but George Skofic in support failed to notify Kyle of the impending cover tackle. This left him perfectly placed to grab to offload and drive his way over to maintain a family tradition. I've said it before and I'll say it again - hookers on the wing, it's the way forward!. Tom Lancaster capped a fine individual display with another immaculate kick from out wide and the scoreline read 28-6 in favour of the home side.
There was no more scoring but credit must go to the visitors who made Lancashire fight for every opportunity. It was a pleasure to watch two sides play in such a good spirit but with no quarter asked or given. The sterling work of Dauncey and Sutherland at the breakdown gave the platform for the backs to play with a dergee of freedom and confidence they had not reached so far this season.
Next stop: the return match with Cardiff Schools in South Wales during the Easter holidays.
If anyone has any photos relating to this, and are williong to share them, contact lancsrugby@aol.com
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The team announced for Wednesday evening is as follows...
| 15 Group: Lancashire v Cheshire |
| 15 John Pape |
| 14 Tom Lancaster |
| 13 Kelham O'Hanlon |
| 12 Chris Schofield |
| 11 Nick Costello |
| 10 Josh Stratton |
| 9 Ryan Glynn |
| 1 Lewis McKay |
| 2 Sam Pape |
| 3 Matthew Johnston |
| 4 Nicholas Watson |
| 5 David Markham |
| 6 Andrew Dauncey (capt) |
| 7 Alisdair Sutherland |
| 8 Ben Vernon |
|
| 16 Kyle Manson-Kullin |
| 17 Chris Tribley |
| 18 Richard Newman |
| 19 Chris Travis |
| 20 Danny Oliver |
| 21 Tom Ellis |
| 22 George Skofic |
| 23 Andrew Newton |
|
| 6.00pm changed at Sefton, 7.00 kick off |
|
| Arrive in School uniform and Lancashire tie |
