Chorley 42 - Leigh 0

A new coffee shop has opened in Chorley, Rhode Island coffee shop on new market street. A couple of the lads had already been and said it was good, so we decided to meet before the game for pre match coffees and cakes, well I had cakes as I’m obviously not playing. I know I’m supposed to set an example, but I couldn’t resist, they looked and were gorgeous. One was like a lemon cake, but wasn’t called a lemon cake, but was absolutely amazing!!!  This is definitely going to be a regular pre-match meet before games for a few of us. 

Anyway, as usual I start with something totally irrelevant. Three very physical games before this, had cost us a few injuries and players who’d been carrying niggles all the way through January and last week, some needed a rest. Ellery Hodson with his shoulder, Joe Laddle neck and shoulder and Isaac O’Grady with a broken leg and 3 other players needing having niggles that could get worse with playing. 

From the kick off we looked really flat for some reason, 10 minutes in and we just couldn’t get into the game. The first line out was lost as Leigh looked to challenge for the ball, as Leigh looked to go wide and through the hands Rob Gatefield put in a big hit as the ball was dislodged, such was the impact. We were now slowly finding our feet and when Rik Wareing cleared our lines from our own 25, the pressure was transferred to the Leigh 30 metre. Minutes later was involved again as Gwil Jones fed Rik Wareing, Rik dummied and took his opposite number out the game, he then popped to Marcus O’Donohoe, who put in a great side step and hit and spin to sprint in and dive from 10 metres out. Rik Wareing converted to make it 7-0 as the nerves began to settle. 

Leigh from the restart won a penalty for offside and as they kicked for touch, they looked dangerous, thankfully good jumping from Kev Rothwell saw us win the lineout and Sam Norris darted through a gap to make 15 metres, but the referee had spotted an offside and we were awarded a penalty. Michael Jessiman made a great run after a pass from Chris Highton, Jess fed Rob Gatefield but he just couldn’t break the tackle as the try line beckoned 15 metres out. Minutes later we were in our own 40 and Gwil Jones put in a great attacking kick to make a 50-22. Although we lost the line out, Matt Lago brilliantly turned the ball over and Michael Jessiman made another probing run, he fed Geoff Fielden but he was tackled and the referee gave Leigh a penalty. the good thing was though, we were starting to play rugby in the right areas. One thing that wasn’t going well was our defence, usually reliable and solid, it was now disjointed and unorganised. We were rushing up when we shouldn’t be and when we kicked, we were going off on our own little crusades to put in a big hit. On a kick chase you must stay together and keep the ball in the middle of the chase, you let the receiver make the decision, flying out of the line and leaving gaps just makes his life easy.

Sam Norris made a great 20 metre darting run just before the break, but was awarded a penalty for a high tackle, a quick tap saw the ball go wide and Rik Wareing span the ball out to Marcus O’Donohoe who waltzed in to score his second, Rik Wareing again converted, 14-0. A few tactical reminders and changes at half time, saw us go through the gears in all areas of our game. The defence instantly placed pressure on Leigh both when they looked to go wide and up the middle, the lineouts also improved. With 7 minutes gone James Fisher, Gwil Jones and Daniel Croniken combined to see Daniel beat 3 defenders and score under the posts for a great try that was excellently finished. Rik, again converted to make it 21-0. The next try was definitely the most celebrated of the day though was the next. From a scrum Michael Jessiman took the ball off the back of the scrum, he popped the ball to Sam Norris and with Chris Highton and Gwil jones in support the ball finally ended up on the nearside of the field to see Geoff Fielden race in from 10 metres out to score his first of the season. Minutes later Chris Highton broke two would be tacklers to finish a well worked try with Michael Jessiman. Rik Wareing converted both tries to make it 35-0.

Captain, Gwil Jones then made a fantastic run, he motored past 4 defenders , spinning in tackles and side stepping. One of the best sights in our team is when Gwil gets the ball in space. His turn of pace and agility is great to watch and as he off loaded to Daniel Croniken who gain finished leaving 2 defenders on the floor after desperately trying to stop the try, Rik converted yet again to complete a %100 conversion rate, to make it a final score of 42-0.

Some good performances from Michael Jessiman and Gwil Jones saw us always make breaks and threaten the Leigh defence. Daniel Croniken made a great debut and finished two great tries. It was also good to see Marcus O’Donohoe score two, the first of which was a great finish. Sam Hodkin and Matt Lago had good games. 

But the Pitch Prep NW Ltd man of the match is Rik Wareing

He created so much with the ball in hand and was involve din most tries in some way. His defence was very solid and he managed to jackal on 3 occasions winning very important penalties. He kicked every conversion, two of which were very close to the touch line.

This Saturday we travel to Aldwinians in Manchester, kick off 14:15

Graham Crane