This page is available to reflect match reports and photographs sent to Jon Kitchen, the Lancashire Colts Competititions Committee Secretary....
Lancashire Under 17s Cup
Blackpool 28 Bury 3
Blackpool entertained Bury Junior Colts in the first of their two-week double header, this match being the first round of the Lancashire Colts Cup. With Blackpool suffering losses in the pack, there was a reshuffle with Ben Johnson playing at 8, Stand off Dave Collis putting in a man of the match performance at 6 and Jon Ashcroft at 7.
The game started at a blistering pace for both teams. Blackpool welcomed back full back Danny Haggerty, missing since the Warrington win, but his return was cut short with an ankle injury after only 10 minutes. Ryan Holmes was then moved to his new role of full back and Marlon Paice entered the game on the wing. Blackpool were causing Bury problems up front from he first whistle, strong running from Benny Evinson and Ben Johnson caused problems all day for the opposition. Centres Will Richardson and Ross Mellor Clark were fantastic all day in defence, putting in the ‘big hits’ before Bury could get going, whilst winger, Adam Davies, excelled in attack and defence. However, it was Bury who opened the scoring first, with the stand off slotting one out of their three first-half penalties. This seemed to wake Blackpool up as a forward drive found the pack camped on the Bury try line before prop Ryan Rostron scored his second try in consecutive games to give Blackpool a narrow 7-3 half-time lead.
In the second half, with the wind behind their backs, Blackpool started to show the kind of promising rugby they have threatened all season. The second try of the game came from a blistering run from scrum half Pete Armstrong, who was held up short of the line. Good support from Eddie Dowdall and Luke Bennett enabled second row Scott Hardie to pick up and drive over, Blackshaw again converting the score. Straight from the kick off, Blackpool were on the attack again. Scrum half Armstrong, playing on with a shoulder injury, led from the front in attack and defence. The forwards were playing with heart as Dave Collis again burst over the gain line backed up by Johnson to set the platform for the forwards. With the pack attacking at speed and the backs causing all sorts of trouble for the Bury back line, a panicked Bury clearance found its way to winger Adam Davies on half way who beat several players with his jerking run, only to be held up short of the try line, but then found centre Mellor Clark to score to the left of the posts.
Again Blackshaw converted to extend the lead to 21-3 with only ten minutes remaining. Blackpool found themselves in attacking mode again straight from the restart, with Will Richardson punching holes in the defence, again Blackpool’s pack attacked pace as Bury couldn’t get back on side. Scrum half and all round referee’s nuisance Pete Armstrong scored the fourth and final try with the assistance of No.8 Johnson. Blackshaw notched four from four conversions to make the final score 28-3.
Head coach Paul Moran said “the boys did themselves proud today, after a shaky start they woke themselves up and put in a solid performance. Some players playing out of position has made selection for next week’s league game again against Bury very tough”
Tarleton 22 Leigh 10
Leigh arrived at Carr Lane full of expectation after losing out to Tarleton in cup games over the last two years; this was always going to be a hard fought game. An early try from centre Alex Roebuck settled the Tarleton nerves. This opening score only managed to focus Leigh, spurred on by their vocal support, they took the game to Tarleton. Both packs fought a midfield duel, neither side giving an inch. Leigh, obviously high on pies, urged each other on and clawed their way into the Tarleton twenty two. The home side defended well as several times it looked as though Leigh should score but a superb defence held Leigh out. Eventually Leigh found gaps in Tarleton's three quarter-line and some fine direct running from Leigh allowed a score under the posts. The Leigh celebrations just showed how much this meant to them, an easy conversion and Leigh in the lead seven to five. Half time Tarleton 5 Leigh 7.
In the second half Leigh again mounted the pressure, Tarleton struggling to hold on to the ball which had strangely been provided by Leigh! The number of spilled balls and handling errors was out of character for Tarleton. Leigh once again started to find the gaps this time though defensive cover provided by full-back Adam Peacock, not only making the tackles but winning the ball and starting the counter attack. Leigh were given the opportunity of a penalty for the tackler not rolling away, a superb kick followed and Leigh gained a five point lead.
Tarleton started to grind down Leigh as eventually fly half Sean Taylor was driven over the line to equalise the score. More Tarleton pressure and this time, again from close range scrum half, James Smith crossed with support from his pack. This time Andrew Bushell added the extras with the conversion. Leigh started to open up the Tarleton backs. Now with ball in hand, Roebuck won possession on half way and made what appears to have become a speciality of his: another long range try.
Though once again the tries were scored by the backs and half backs they should thank the pack for all the effort that they put in to control Leigh. A huge effort by the front row of Tom Potter Oliver Ashley and Darren Boswarva dominated at the scrum, while at the line out the high flying Rob Bramhall and Stan Stock were superb.
Once again Carr Lane witnessed another fine game of Colts rugby. Well done both teams and thank you to referee Mr Colin Kershaw of Liverpool society.
