Ruskin's away day blues continue but this was a solid workman like performance that deserved far more than the 16 point defeat.
Ruskin started poorly when a scrum going against the head gave the home side chance to catch the Ruskin defence unawares and register a converted try. This setback appeared to spur the visitors into action and after some powerful work from the Ruskin forwards Mike O ' Keefe broke to score under the posts. Fisher converted. Ruskin took the game to the visitors but were caught on the break as the home side streaked away for an unconverted try.
Undetered Ruskin still applied pressure and O'Keefe scored his second, Fisher again converted.
The second half was dominated by the conditions as neither side managed to gain the upper hand, two penalties for the home side appeared as though they would be the only scoring until the last five minutes when the hosts crossed for two tries, one of which was converted.
Ruskin go into the Easter break still with their destiny in their own hands but with 3 games to go the heat is definitely on.
Other results: Ruskin Park 2XV 45 Vale of Lune 4XV 0
1st March 2008
Ruskin Park 10 v Wigan 20
Ruskin go into the last 4 games of the season with their destiny still in their own hands but will have to put up much better performances than they did in the first 40 mins of this local derby. With the exception of some solid tackling from Neil Hull and some elusive running from Mike Farrelly Ruskin did little to trouble the visitors ,who strolled into a 15 nil half time lead.
Ruskin came out of the sheds much better in the second period and at last the Ruskin '8' started to get on top of the visitors, gaining valuable metres and territory. This effort was rewarded when Mike Farrelly skipped in to reduce the deficit. Just as it appeared it would be a matter of time before Ruskin scored again the visitors secured a vital turnover of possession close to the Ruskin line, and crossed for a try. Despite time running out Ruskin still persevered and Chris Lyon blasted over for the home sides second try.
Whilst the first forty was a half to forget Ruskin must build on their good second period as they look to secure safety in South Lancs/Cheshire 1.
Other Results: BAE Warton 6 Ruskin Park 2XV 12
Next Weeks fixtures: Bowden v Ruskin Park, Ruskin Park 2XV v Vale of Lune 4XV
WIDNES 50 – RUSKIN PARK 33
Ruskin’s poor away form continued as they came off second best in a feast of points at local rivals Widnes . Lacking several players due to injury and unavailability this was always going to be a tough task for the visitors; but this became all the more difficult as Widnes scored from the kick off to take an early lead. This was soon cancelled out when a fine pass from Birch sent Hull over under the posts. Ruskin looked to kick on from there but were unable to secure possession due to failures at the set piece Line out and scrum. Widnes thrived on these gifts of possession using their forwards to good effect to claim two tries before half time to give them a 17 to 7 lead.
The second half started well for Ruskin with the impressive O’Keefe latching on to a pass from Hull and skirted pass the defence to dive over in the corner, Ruskin where well and truly back in the game and looked to press on. However Widnes then stamped their authority on the game, using the low sun to their advantage to gain field position with Ruskin again failing to secure their own ball. They turned this into points with some excellent back play gaining them 4 tries in quick succession to seal the points. Ruskin launched a mini-comeback and gave the score line a more respectable nature firstly with a second from O’Keefe after a fine break from Hull put him over the line, 2 more tries the last from Jones gave a more presentable appearance.
This was a tale of what could have been had Ruskin had more possession to give to the back line and they must feel disappointed with both the performance from the forwards and the result. Man of the Match went to O’Keefe for his two tries, and his tireless defence. The 1st Team take a break on Saturday however; the 2nds take on Preston at Ruskin Drive Kick Off 2.30pm
9th February 2008
RUSKIN PARK 38 - OLD ANSELMIANS 21
Ruskin kept their survival hopes alive with a clinical performance against fellow strugglers Anselmians. Anselms had some early pressure with a rolling maul, which would turn out to be their platform for the day, but excellent defence led to a mistake which allowed Dave Birch to scoot 60 yards to score, Fisher converted. Anselms reply was instant after an unfortunate mistake from a Ruskin scrum led to a try. However, the next 20 minutes showed the real quality of the Ruskin backs as they ran in 3 tries to with some exceptional handling and some great running rugby.
Full back Cagliarini created the next score after collecting the ball on his own 22 and scathed a path through the Anselms team to send Farrelly over in the corner for an unconverted try. Chris Birch then ran onto a ball from Hull and danced around the full back to score under the posts. Then straight from the kick off the ball was recycled to Dave Birch who sold a fantastic dummy to the Anselms defence, the full back again was left with no chance as Dave emulated his brother by touching down under the posts, Fisher converted both efforts. The score line could have been much more as Ruskin where denied two tries after forward pass decisions went against them; however they still went into half time 26 – 8 to the good.
Ruskin went into the second half looking to add to their lead but where denied any ball as Anselms continued to keep things tight, however this pattern of play was ended as the forwards finally gained some possession. This again was a trigger for the backs to shine, firstly with some crisp handling finding full back Cagliarini who showed his class by stepping inside to beat 4 defenders to touch down under the sticks, Martin Birch ensured all three brothers got on the score sheet by slotting the extras. The impressive Cagliarini then showed the crowd he is also a fine footballer as he kicked through from his own 22 and proceeded to dribble the ball with his boot up to the opposition 5 yard line when he finally picked up the ball to put second row Catterall over in the Corner. Anselms then dominated possession and added a try and two penalties of their own to give the scoreline a more respectable appearance, however Ruskin deserved their victory. Man of the Match went to the outstanding Cagliarini.
Ruskin must take this performance on the road next week as they take on Widnes in a local derby 2nd February 2008
RUSKIN PARK 7 ASPULL 0
Ruskin took the spoils in this pulsating encounter due to an outstanding defensive effort. Ruskin started the game well winning good ball both from the scrum and in the loose. After 20 minutes the good possession was turned into points after some great handling from the back line resulted in Farrelly going over in the corner, Fisher adding the extras from the touchline. Ruskin looked to kick on but where hit with some strong Aspull defence. Aspull used this base to come into the game, and they began to dominate possession. However, the Ruskin defence held steadfast with the impressive Hull and Birch in particular on top defensive form to keep the visitors scoreless in the first half.
The second half saw the game turned into a tense affair, with both teams launching wave after wave of attack. Defences however where very much on top and despite Aspull throwing everything they could at the Ruskin defensive line, they where unable to score and Ruskin walked away with a hard earned victory. The victory was very much a team effort but the Man of the Match award went to Captain Craig Jones for an inspirational display from the back row.
Ruskin continue their survival fight with a vital game on Saturday 9th February against Anselmians, who lie just above them in the table. Kick off 2.30 pm at Ruskin Drive.
26th January 2008
WIRRAL 44 RUSKIN PARK 14
Ruskin travelled to the Wirral embarking on a run of 4 games that would make or break their season. However, Ruskin got off to the worst possible start as a poor initial half hour saw them leak 30 unanswered points. Wirral enjoyed complete domination both of Territory and possession due to Ruskin’s failure to secure line out ball coupled with an inability to clear their own lines at key times, this proved costly and the game was over as a contest after the first half.
Ruskin improved in the second half and managed to cross the line with two well taken tries of their own, the first an interception from Fisher, the second a fine effort after some clinical back play which saw Birch cross the line with Stand off Smith successfully converting both efforts. Wirral replied with two tries of their own, one a superb effort of some 80 yards which saw the ball pass through several sets of hands. The shared spoils of the second half went to prove what could have been for Ruskin, but 40 minutes is not a match and Wirral deserved their victory. The BCC Motor Group Man of the Match went to Martin Swift who worked tirelessly behind a beaten scrum.
Ruskin will need to improve if they hope to avoid relegation, and continue their task next week with a re-arranged fixture against Aspull at Ruskin Drive, Kick Off 2.30pm
19th January 2008
1st XV match at home against Aspull postponed due to waterlogged pitch
12th January 2008
WILMSLOW 32 RUSKIN PARK 5
If ever a scoreline didn't reflect a game then this was it, only for missed opportunities and some inexplicable refereeing decisions Ruskin could have left Pownall Park with more than a hard luck story. The game started badly for Ruskin against the unbeaten league leaders, finding themselves 15 nil down in as many minutes, however Ruskin then took the game to the hosts and after good work from Farrelly new signing Derek Birch crashed over for an unconverted try.
The scoreline remained the same until the last 20 minutes of the match when Ruskin became foul of the merry whistle blower and controversially had a man dispatched to the sin bin. Wilmslow scored a converted try and kicked a penalty during their period of numerical advantage.
Ruskin continued to press but were unable to convert their chances and so Wilmslow had the final say with a further converted try after yet another refereeing howler.
Ruskin will look to build on this encouraging start to the year when they take part in their own St Helens - Wigan derby against Aspull at home on Saturday week
Other Score: Ruskin Park 2XV 31 Oldham 2XV 0
