LIVERPOOL ST HELENS 39 ANSELMIANS 19
This week it is best to get the clichés out of the way first
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“A game of two halves”; “inspired substitutions”; and a post match uttering from the octogenarian Laird “I don’t know what they put in the oranges at half time but can you get me some of that?!”
Certainly, after a dismal first half display in which LSH had difficulty catching the ball and kicked it away aimlessly far too often, the second half performance was quite remarkable. Playing with control and confidence the Moss Laners overturned a 19-7 half time deficit by running in four tries and registering 32 unanswered points in a display which left their opponents thoroughly stunned. The introduction of Paul Bamber and Dave Cunliffe off the bench at the break made a big impact, as did the free running of full back Neil Hull.
A frantic opening saw LSH take an early lead with a well worked try involving Simon Worsley and Ian Stanley creating space for centre Alex McClurg to burst through the Anselmians defence for a try converted by Worsley. This was followed in the 7th minute by a portent of things to come when a penalty conceded on the LSH 22 metre line was punished with ease by former LSH man Simon Mason. Immediately from the restart, a speculative Anselmians return kick was collected by the visitors and followed by a smart passing move for scrum half Paul Kay to score in the corner, converted by Mason, to give the visitors a 10-7 lead after just nine minutes.
The remainder of the half saw Anselmians in the ascendancy as LSH struggled to do anything worthwhile, and under constant pressure they conceded a litany of penalties knocked over by former Irish International Mason in the 12th, 33rd and 38th minutes.
In the second half LSH played like a different team, which they were, in part, with the introduction of Paul Bamber in the pack and Dave Cunliffe amongst the backs. The two were straight into the action in the 44th minute when Cunliffe carried on a strong drive by Bamber before passing to Matt Cunliffe who roared down the left wing to touch down. Worsley converted and added a penalty ten minutes later to put LSH well in touch at 17-19.
Thereafter, with Mark Williams and Dave Westhead in commanding form and Hull making scything runs out of defence, LSH were in total control.
Hooker Matt Tickle was rewarded for not giving up when following a kick from Ian Stanley by pouncing on a loose ball to score after 61 minutes; Dave Cunliffe crashed over from short range after good lineout work seven minutes later and Stanley capped a fine personal performance by scorching over the line with six minutes to go.
Skipper Simon Worsley, having dusted off his kicking boots, converted two as well another penalty, to finish with a personal tally of 14 points, as his side returned to winning ways.
Finally, a big thank you to the under 8 and under 10 players who acted as ball-boys .
Team
15 Hull 14 Cunliffe M 13 McClurg 12 Crampton 11 Stanley 10 Worsley 9 Gaines 1 Devine 2 Tickle 3 Fryer 4 Temmen 5 Westhead 6 Williams 7 Burrows 8 Kearns Replacements Grant-Butler (for Fryer 73m) (Bamber for Kearns 41m) Cunliffe D (for Crampton 41m).
.
“A game of two halves”; “inspired substitutions”; and a post match uttering from the octogenarian Laird “I don’t know what they put in the oranges at half time but can you get me some of that?!”
Certainly, after a dismal first half display in which LSH had difficulty catching the ball and kicked it away aimlessly far too often, the second half performance was quite remarkable. Playing with control and confidence the Moss Laners overturned a 19-
A frantic opening saw LSH take an early lead with a well worked try involving Simon Worsley and Ian Stanley creating space for centre Alex McClurg to burst through the Anselmians defence for a try converted by Worsley. This was followed in the 7th minute by a portent of things to come when a penalty conceded on the LSH 22 metre line was punished with ease by former LSH man Simon Mason. Immediately from the restart, a speculative Anselmians return kick was collected by the visitors and followed by a smart passing move for scrum half Paul Kay to score in the corner, converted by Mason, to give the visitors a 10-
The remainder of the half saw Anselmians in the ascendancy as LSH struggled to do anything worthwhile, and under constant pressure they conceded a litany of penalties knocked over by former Irish International Mason in the 12th, 33rd and 38th minutes.
In the second half LSH played like a different team, which they were, in part, with the introduction of Paul Bamber in the pack and Dave Cunliffe amongst the backs. The two were straight into the action in the 44th minute when Cunliffe carried on a strong drive by Bamber before passing to Matt Cunliffe who roared down the left wing to touch down. Worsley converted and added a penalty ten minutes later to put LSH well in touch at 17-
Hooker Matt Tickle was rewarded for not giving up when following a kick from Ian Stanley by pouncing on a loose ball to score after 61 minutes; Dave Cunliffe crashed over from short range after good lineout work seven minutes later and Stanley capped a fine personal performance by scorching over the line with six minutes to go.
Skipper Simon Worsley, having dusted off his kicking boots, converted two as well another penalty, to finish with a personal tally of 14 points, as his side returned to winning ways.
Finally, a big thank you to the under 8 and under 10 players who acted as ball-
15 Hull 14 Cunliffe M 13 McClurg 12 Crampton 11 Stanley 10 Worsley 9 Gaines 1 Devine 2 Tickle 3 Fryer 4 Temmen 5 Westhead 6 Williams 7 Burrows 8 Kearns Replacements Grant-
Ball Boys take a curtain call
Addendum to last week’s match report v Rochdale
This may come as a surprise to loyal readers of the LSH Match reports but there was an error in last week’s account. LSH’s second try was incorrectly attributed to Phil Kearns, when it was in fact scored by prop Mark Fryer. As he is considerably bigger than me I am happy to put the record straight JW
This may come as a surprise to loyal readers of the LSH Match reports but there was an error in last week’s account. LSH’s second try was incorrectly attributed to Phil Kearns, when it was in fact scored by prop Mark Fryer. As he is considerably bigger than me I am happy to put the record straight JW