Broughton Park 2XV 15 - 17 LSH 2XV.
Firstly apologies for lack of report following last week’s fantastic home victory over our National league two north challengers Stockport 2XV 35-8 in the Raging Bull Cup, which now puts us in the quarter finals in another home draw against Birkenhead Park on Sat Feb 11th at 2.15 pm.
Having had three wins in a row against very tough opposition in Altrincham Kersal, Lymm and Stockport, this week’s fixture against Broughton Park should have been faintly pencilled as an easier victory; however with three players away and four players moved up to first team duty, plus a determined Broughton Park side at home, it was to be a very tough afternoon.
Once positions had been agreed by coach Mark Turner, and Dave Pickavance's discs in his back had been rearranged by Broughton Park's very obliging young female physio, play commenced. Having agreed to sit on the bench the veteran prop Steve Metcalfe was cajoled into starting against a very young and enthusiastic Broughton fifteen who, from the first whistle, were in no mood to help LSH's quest for a fourth victory - Broughton's left winger scoring a try in the corner after only 10 minutes gone, 5-0.
Byron Whalley who's been playing third XV rugby most of the season impressed with his ball carrying ability and defensive work, as did the ever dependable Jamie Clare. LSH were only just finding their feet when another try was conceded, this time to Broughton's right winger at the opposite corner to the first,10-0. The crew of the good ship Second team tried desperately to plug the breaches in the hull of the listing vessel, Captain Donlevy looked like he could have easily tripped into a waiting lifeboat but young scrum half James Laycock in particular made numerous covering tackles as well as 'holding up' a Broughton second row player over the line preventing yet another try. Had Park's handling in the centres been better there could have been three or four more scores.
The last ten minutes of the half were now all LSH, with the forwards going back to the tried and tested methods of the previous weeks picking and driving, committing opposition forwards in the ruck area, and with only five yards to go tight head prop Steve Metcalfe burst off the side of a maul skittling would be defenders, before crashing to ground over the line with such force one of the Broughton Park 'upstairs' committee men dropped his Monte Cristo cigar in his sherry. In a touching gesture the resulting indentation is to be flooded and used as a small wetlands / wildlife area for future generations to enjoy. Broughton Park however had the last say with the oldest trick in the book from a lineout close to the LSH line the hooker touched down without even being challenged.
15-7 Half time scoreline.
LSH started the second half well having the run of the penalties and possession of the ball. Park's defence seemed impenetrable until scrum half James Laycock leapt to catch a high ball and set off, selling a clever dummy to the hapless Broughton centre and rounding the posts, try converted by John Dillon 15-14.
The LSH pack was now in full swing with the a whiff of an away win firmly in the nostrils. But Broughton Park had other ideas again breaking down the left wing; however the last pass was knocked on from the pressure of the young back row, Connor Charlton, only in his first senior game but definitely one to watch for the future.
LSH were awarded two penalty chances in difficult positions which John Dillon failed to capitalize on. With the clock ticking down, and Broughton now hanging on to their one point advantage, they launched another attack, shipping the ball along the line to where they now realized their strengths lay, only to be abruptly halted by a fantastic tackle in the centre by Ollie Griffiths who regained his feet and challenged the ball, which the referee deemed not to have been released by the Park player. This was déjà vu to early January against Lymm
John Dillon who'd been seeing double following a 'winning beer' incident last week, handed the kicking duties to the cool headed colt Liam Ratcliffe who kicked the three points, 15-17.
With only four tense minutes remaining the order of the day was to avoid giving penalties away, the young up and coming referee who was clear and concise at the contact area did test a few nerves but eventually blew the whistle signalling LSH were victorious. With President and dance choreographer Mr French away on media assignments, celebrations were left to Norman Knowles whose new hip stood up well to John Kenrick's fast and sometimes rough quickstep.
1). Dave Pickavance 2) Richard Laycock 3) Steve Metcalfe 4) Allan Donlevy (Capt) 5) Byron Whalley 6) Danny Webster 7).Micheal Garrity 8).Jamie Clare 9).James Laycock 10 John Dillon 11) Barry Blair 12) John Riley 13) Ollie Griffiths 14). H.Fletcher 15) Liam Ratcliffe 16) Connor Charlton (50 Mins Barry Blair).
1). Dave Pickavance 2) Richard Laycock 3) Steve Metcalfe 4) Allan Donlevy (Capt) 5) Byron Whalley 6) Danny Webster 7).Micheal Garrity 8).Jamie Clare 9).James Laycock 10 John Dillon 11) Barry Blair 12) John Riley 13) Ollie Griffiths 14). H.Fletcher 15) Liam Ratcliffe 16) Connor Charlton (50 Mins Barry Blair).
Richard Laycock