Cardiff Schools 14 Lancashire 10
Having travelled down to the Welsh capital on Tuesday the Lancashire 15 Group sought to avenge their defeat at Fylde by the well organised and vastly experienced Cardiff Schools side who were playing their 25th game of the season.
On a pitch that was as unyielding as Margaret Thatcher in her pomp and under what passes for a baking sun in Britain the match kicked off. Lancashire took the initiative with Ryan Glynn and Josh Stratton controlling a steady drive down the field. With the home side pinned in their own 22m area, Ben Vernon from the base of the scrum and the half backs probed for weknesses.
One of these forays saw Stratton step between defenders, outpace the defensive line and step the full back before touching down without a hand being laid on him, rekindling memories of the Cheshire game. This time, however, Tom Lancaster's conversion attempt drifted wide of the left-hand post. The same fate befell a penalty attempt but the lead was 5 - 0.
The understanding bourne of a full season working together saw a superb backs move outwit the Lancashire defence and leave Lancaster and John Pape with no chance against five Cardiff attackers. The try close to the posts allowed a simple chip shot for the conversion and the lead was surrendered 7 - 5.
Both sides squandered scoring chances as half-time approached. The home side's backs were guilty of over-complicating their use of possession and Vernon saw his pass to Lancaster elude the winger's grasp with the line beckonning.
The hard ground took it's toll with Vernon and Stratton having to leave the field to have friction burns tended. Lancaster moved into the fly half berth and skipper Andrew Dauncey moved from the back row to fill the centre berth. Louis Singleton replaced Glynn at scrum half.
The pack was constantly reshuffled in an attempt to counter the sweltering conditions. Every time the forwards drove into the Cardiff half any mistake was punished by the un-erring boot of the classy Cardiff out-half. They could not hold out for ever.
Eventually a ruck close to the right-hand touch line offered the full width of the field for the backs to work with. The impressive Joey Luttrull's decoy run freed Chris Schofield who drew his defender. John Pape took his pass and fixed both of the remaining Cardiff players before passing to Nick Costello who scampered in to regain the lead 10 - 7.
The home side, however, were not to be denied, one last peice of magic sealed a narrow victory 14 - 10 but it had been a pulsating game played in the best possible spirit. All who went on this trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the squad now looks forward to their trip to Durham in two weeks (albeit without the Ormskirk and Liverpool Collegiate players who will contest the EFE challenge cup on that Sunday) and the National 10s festival in early May.
15 Group v Cardiff Schools
Lancashire's 15 Group has named a squad of 23 players to travel to Cardiff for the annual return match against Cardiff Schools, to leave Preston Grasshoppers on Tuesday, 10th April at 11.00am. There will be a pick-up at Haydock Thistle (close to M6 Jnc 23) at about 11.30...ish.
Players should ensure they have everything they need for an overnight stay, and bring with them (1) a packed lunch for Tuesday, and (2) sufficient funds for an evening meal and anything required before kickoff on Wednesday. Breakfast is included in the hotel accomodation, and a post-match meal will be provided by our hosts.
Players should bring rain jackets, training shirts, navy shorts & socks. The Lancshire leisure shirts have arrived, and will be distributed en route.
The party will travel by coach, and stay at the Quality Hotel, Merthyr Road, Cardiff (off M4, at junction 21) prior to Wednesday's game, kick off at 2.00pm.
NEW VENUE: St Peters RFC, Minster Road, Cardiff, CF23 5AS For a map, Click here...
Local weather: 
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Nicholas Costello
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Arnold School
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Christian Cudd
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Stonyhurst College
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Andrew Dauncey
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Manchester GS
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Sedgley Park
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Tom Ellis
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Hutton GS
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Preston Grasshoppers
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Dare Eludoyin
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Stonyhurst College
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Ryan Glynn
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Sedbergh School
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Ormskirk
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Tom Lancaster
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Hutton GS
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Preston Grasshoppers
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Joey Luttrull
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QEGS Middleton
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Rochdale
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Lewis MacKay
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William Hulme GS
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Manchester
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Kyle Manson-Kullin
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Clitheroe Royal GS
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Preston Grasshoppers
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David Markham
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Rainford HS
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Ormskirk
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James Morris
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Stonyhurst College
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Leicester Academy
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Richard Newman
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Bolton School
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Sedgley Park
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John Pape
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Rainford HS
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Ormskirk
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Sam Pape
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Rainford HS
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Ormskirk
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Chris Schofield
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Liverpool College
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Widnes
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Louis Singleton
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M.G.S.
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Sedgley Park
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Josh Stratton
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Ormskirk School
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Ormskirk
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Alasdair Sutherland
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Burscough Priory
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Ormskirk
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Chris Thompson
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Merchant Taylors
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Ormskirk
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Chris Travis
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Kirkham GS
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Ben Vernon
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Hutton GS
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Preston Grasshoppers
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Nicholas Watson
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St Michael's Chorley
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Preston Grasshoppers
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