Norris and Hodson take control at Kirkby rush

After four weeks without any games, I think we were all getting withdrawal symptoms. However, it did give us a chance to work on some new things and also improve on the ones we’ve already worked on. The rest also brought some other positives as we saw Joe Laddle, Dom Anderson, Chris Highton, Connor Baxter and Cal Gale all needing rest to recover from injuries. The trip to Kirkby Lonsdale meant the M6, which meant lots of traffic from the M65 and it never let us down, it was horrendous so after lots of backroads and Preston city centre, we got to Kirkby just 30 minutes before kick-off. I hate been late for anything and definitely like to have everything ready for the players before a game. They put their bodies on the line every game so its so important for me they get what they deserve, everything ready in the changing rooms and on the pitch, especially the warm up. We manged a 15 minute rushed warm up and the lads thankfully switched onto it instantly. 

Given the rush, I was actually hoping we would kick off and defend from the start, the quicker we get working hard the quicker we get mentally focused on rugby and forget the rush. The defence instantly displayed aggression with Joe Laddle and Matt Lago putting in some big shots. Kirkby started with some really strong running and were also matching the aggression with some strong runs, the defence though was switched on to it all and they just couldn’t break us down. A good break down the right hand side nearly the scoreboard man on his feet, but a good tackle from Paul Dawson and Connor Baxter soon halted that, as they bundled the speedy winger into touch. On 8 minutes Logan Singleton came off with a shoulder injury, so new player, Isaac O’Grady made his debut for the club and instantly made an impact with a good strong run. On 15 minutes Kirkby were looking to play out of their half but our defence was way too aggressive and organised. At times when we did get the ball we looked to offload unnecessarily and just like the journey and warm up, we were rushing. Sam Norris and Ellery Hodson have played at 9 and 10 respectively for every game this season, so its no coincidence that, that consistency is reflecting on performances. With 18 minutes gone they began to take control of the game, we now looked organised, everyone looked to know exactly where they should be in the attack. Matt Lago took the ball into a big contact but with Chris Highton assisting he made sure the ball wouldn’t be turned over and he very aggressively cleared away the danger from the ruck. Sam Norris then organised a pick and go, with Dom Anderson and Joe Laddle, they pushed forward so well that Kirkby were so much on the backfoot the defence were totally unorganised. Sam saw the gaps and danced past two scrambling defenders to speed in from 20 metres out and plant the ball under the posts. Ellery Hodson made it 0-7 with the conversion. The kick off from that went straight out and Joe Laddle demanded a scrum in the centre. It was like having Simon Crangle back, a prop not asking for a scrum but actually demanding it, me Stu and Simon loved it!

From the scrum Ellery Hodson fed Connor Baxter and he put in a sublime pass to Gwil Jones who angled into the line and left the Kirkby backline static, it was only the fullback and the opposite winger scrambling across that stopped a certain try. Minutes later and after some good pressure from Kirkby, Matt Lago turned the ball over with assistance from Chris Highton and we looked to push forward again. Issac O’Grady made another strong run which took us deep into the Kirkby 22. After 3 short well executed drives, Andy Swales was powered over with the help of Matt Lago and Danny Tordoff. Again, Ellery converted to make it 0-14.  From the kick off, again things we had worked on looked good with Sam Norris putting in a good box kick which made 30 meters, after defending for what seemed like an hour, Kirkby made around 5 meters. They just couldn’t break us down or get any go forward, we just kept knocking them back with every pass. With 10 minutes to the break, we were trying to rush everything again and two dropped passes in four minutes were just asking for Kirkby to apply pressure to us. With two minutes to go Connor Baxter yet again put in a good pass and sent Paul Dawson into space, again, it was only good defence that saw Paul not score his first of the season. Paul wasn’t finished there though as from the lineout he put in a great tackle to send the player who had just tackled him in to touch. Half time came and the message was very simple, be in control and stop rushing and trying to force every pass. 

This is the thing, there is nothing wrong with trying to offload and force passes. BUT, you have to know where and when to do it. I get players will do it, I’ve done it myself, but I quickly learnt the when and where. When they come off it looks fantastic but when it doesn’t and you are only two scores in front, you are just asking for trouble. Those things feed confidence to the opposition and if that keeps growing, you can very quickly become two scores down. Kill them off, blast them off the park then start trying things. I'd never tell anyone to stop doing it, just to know, the where and when. 

We instantly applied good pressure with an Isaac O’Grady run which was quickly followed by another tackle busting Cal Gale run, the power Cal creates when he runs is so good to watch, he’s one of those players, like Gwil Jones, you always think won’t be tackled when he runs. Ellery Hodson then fed Connor Baxter, Gwil Jones sped onto his pass and Gwil raced in from 20 metres, this was a really well worked try and well deserved for Gwil who was really working hard. Ellery again converted to make it, 0-21. 15 minutes into the half, Sam Norris darted through after a good run from Cal Gale. Cal offloaded a simple pass and Sam raced past two defenders, to make it 0-28 after Ellery again converted. The forwards put in some great work to create this try which was great to see.  

Let’s get back to rushing and forcing the ball, in 6 minutes we did this 3 times and the result was inevitable. Kirkby grew in confidence as we handed them the ball so easily. After a forced pass just inside our own half Kirkby looked to apply pressure. A switch at the number 10 position seemed to change things for them as they looked a lot more organised. A good pass from the 10 put in a strong running forward who was always causing un issues every time he got the ball. So good was his run, that he busted through a tackle and scored 10 metres to the right of the posts, 5-28. Connor Baxter who was looking dangerous every time he got the ball put in a great kick to send Kirkby deep into their own 22, good work at the lineout saw us win the ball with Danny Tordoff pressing forward. I’ll be honest I didn’t see what happened from there as it was right over in the opposite corner, I did get told though by Simon Crangle that Ellery Hodson was the one who appeared with the ball from the large pile of bodies. After he dusted himself down, he made it 5-35. 

 With minutes left we were totally in control and Sam Norris and Ellery Hodson were in cruise control directing and organising everything.one thing they didn’t direct or organise was a piece of brilliance from Connor Baxter. He got the ball, ran at the defence, chipped over the top and the ball bounced perfectly for him to stroll in to score under the posts, the try also deserved his ostentatious dive, a great solo try. Ellery converted to complete his well deserved, one hundred percent kicking rate to make it 5-42.

I don’t like this bit as I can’t name everyone, it was a game where everyone played well and worked so hard. But some good performances from Matt Lago, Chris Highton, Joe Laddle and Isaac O’Grady always created Kirkby issues. Connor Baxter expanded the play for us and made us look dangerous out wide and his chip kick was brilliant. Ellery Hodson missed absolutely nothing and his points tally of 17 points, was great to see and will build on the confidence he already has from his good performances this season. Captain Gwil Jones and Cal Gale always looked dangerous and both worked really hard in defence and attack.

The man of the match though was Sam Norris, he controlled everything with Ellery, his runs from rucks constantly had Kirkby going backwards, his few box kicks were perfectly placed and his two tries were very well finished. His defence was also very aggressive and ruthless.

This Saturday we are at home to Fylde in what will be the biggest test of the season

Hope to see you all there, Craney.