2nd XV
Matches
Sat 09 Nov 2019  ·  Championship
Firwood Waterloo 2
47
17
Vale of Lune RUFC
2nd XV
COLD! COLD! COLD!

COLD! COLD! COLD!

Stuart Vernon11 Nov 2019 - 08:34
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A brave, battling performance in testing circumstances at Blundellsands.


1. John Witty
2. Noah Tulley
3. Ewan Hutchinson
4. Rhys Randall
5. Dan Rainford (Cap,)
6. Paul Scott
7. Darragh Van Aswegan
8. Bobby Holdbrook
9. Taylor Mills
10. Jamie Antcliffe
11. PetarAlexov
12. Matt Thackery
13. Alex Batson
14. Adam Newton
15. Ryan Busby
16. Ryan Fawcett

Vale travelled to Blundellsands once again with a much changed side. Arriving to find they wouldn’t be showing their talents on the Waterloo main pitch England’s Ladies Deaf XV were playing Waterloo Ladies on their senior pitch. The Waterloo Ladies of course play in the top tier of Ladies Rugby in the country.

Dan Rainford Skipper had worked continuously throughout the week to get a side out and finally had a representative 16 to travel.

The feeling was the game would have to commence uncontested but without any persuasion John Witty agreed to play at prop; usually the hooker in the 3rds. John is certainly a Club stalwart and he wasn’t out classed against a strong Waterloo scrummage. Out of highest respect for John we will not mention his age !!!

The last count of players in the 2nd XV to date this season as stated by our numbers man was 44. I would think now it must be over 60. We need a settled side Gents if we are going to maintain our deserved place in the middle tier post January.

The Waterloo side looked a well drilled outfit and in fact scored direct from the K.O. after only two minutes. With the wind against, goal kicking was always going to be a problem and so it proved!! The tackling and defensive work was going to be vitally important and after 7 minutes Waterloo again posted an unconverted try.

Having suffered these setbacks the Vale XV pulled things together and some terrific defensive work was slowing the Waterloo attacks down. Some fierce tackling from Rhys Randall and Bobby Holdbrook were stopping any movements at base. Dan Rainford with some foraging runs was putting the Waterloo side on the back foot. The Waterloo scrum was driving the Vale 8 back at a rate of knots and the Vale front row were struggling with the experience of a much daunted Waterloo eight. In fact, a completely new Vale front row of Ewan Hutchinson, John Witty and Noah Tulley, at hooker, were holding their own against a concerted Waterloo scrum. Noah at just 18 was enjoying a great game and – watch him – he his a highly rated prospect.
The back row of Darragh Van Aswegan, Paul Scott – played more games than anyone in the Club at the present time – and Bobby Holdbrook were closing down any potential Waterloo attacks that might be emanating from close quarters. Bobby was his usual self in his first game of the season, using his massive physique to break tackles but also to commit to tackles in an effort to stop potential attacks. Darragh Van Aswegan was a non-stop machine and was rewarded with a try, after 12 minutes, from a massive heave from the Vale eight to the Waterloo line.

At 20 minutes a sweeping movement by the Waterloo threequarters showing real pace produced at last a converted try.

Both Dan Rainford and Rhys Randall were providing 50% possession from the lineout apart from their stalwart drives and tackling at all stages. A scrum half’s nightmare is to play behind a retreating scrum, Taylor Mills was facing this in tons in this game. He survived, again his defensive work against bigger opponents, was indeed brave. He hadn’t time to display openly his undoubted talent. He was supported at half back by Jamie Antcliffe who was providing a steadying influence at fly half using his vast experience to hold the Waterloo side at bay.

At 47 minutes the Waterloo XV posted another score to close down the half.

The Vale XV were now due to play against the elements and realised the need for extra effort. Waterloo were in a confident mood and were going to prove a real test for the Vale lads. At this stage Peter Buckton, the Waterloo coach, observed they had a number of 1st XV players in the side, a change from their recent visit to Powderhouse Lane where Vale were victorious.

Now against the wind and facing a Waterloo back line with undoubted pace the Vale threequarters were going to have to exhibit their defensive talent. They did so with both Alex Batson and Matt Thackeray tackling like demons but also at times when in possession providing some probing breaks. Petar Alexov out on the wing was his usual self, showing his abilities both in defence and attack; he is indeed an elusive runner when in space. Adam Newton on the opposite wing was called upon to hold out his opposite number and did so effectively, but only had limited attacking opportunities.
Numbness started to set in, with Ryan Busby playing at fullback suffering from the icy air conditions. Ryan without doubt is a talented player and a real asset to the side. He scored a well taken try and converted his own. At this stage Ryan Fawcett had moved off the bench to take his place on his first appearance of the season. His work with the side whilst recuperating has been great to see, appearing at every game to date. Hopefully now he’ll get down to playing on the park.

The Vale XV never at any stage let their heads go down whilst under severe pressure, and Alex Batson completed a great move with a jinking run to score near the posts allowing Ryan Busby (Buzzer) to convert. Alex is proving to be a good team man.

A great effort by the Vale XV in the circumstances, the trip to Blundellsands despite experiencing severe cold proved worthwhile. The spirit in the side was immense and helped by the experience of such players as Rhys Randell, Bobby Holdbrook and Skipper Dan Rainford in the engine room. The conditions were indeed appalling and all the XV deserve congratulations. With a settled side Gents we can still win this League all please make yourselves available for the games ahead up to the Christmas period. It is vital !!!

Many thanks to a frost bitten Fred Swarbrick for this report.

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Nov 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

Championship

League position

4
Vale of Lune 2
6
Firwood Waterloo 2
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