Manchester 34 - Ormskirk 5

The scent of bonfires and fireworks was in the cold air of another Sunday morning at Grove Lane, which thankfully brought some welcome sunshine to ensure that we were able to play ‘in the stadium’ and ‘on the full size pitch’ for I think the first time in our young gladiatorial rugby players short careers.

The seeding system of the Lancashire Cup found us pitted today against a strong Ormskirk side (the other seeds in our group alongside Vale of Lune) who hadn’t conceded more than a single try in any previous game this season and who had been regularly running in tries for fun. On paper this was due to be a tough encounter and it proved to be.

Firstly a big thanks to Big Si for agreeing to our request to play this fixture in the stadium, it is the best amateur stadium pitch in the area, a lovely playing surface for the lads to enjoy, great for our army of supporters and also ideal for Spielberg to film the epic encounter from a crows nest high above the stand - more of that later.

It is often easier to downplay the significance of one player on the game, after all this is a team game and the boys are, with every game, improving their ability to play it as a team game, however it would be remiss and inappropriate not to say hats off to Tomo today. For an Under 13 to score a hat-trick of tries in a competitive game is a pretty impressive achievement, to bag a quintet (thats five apparently!!) is clearly extraordinary. Well done Tomo - three cheers and a round of applause. Tomo would be the first to say I am sure that it was the hard work inside that creates the opportunities for him and we will deal with some of that later.

The whistle was about to start on proceedings when Son of Spielberg uttered the quote of the day “Are we playing three halves, today?”; which set the sideline chuckling and lifted spirits for the hour ahead.

Ormskirk probably dominated territory today but when we were able to get some ball, we played beautiful rugby with it and were able to find ‘spaces not faces!” Strong running by all of the backs was more often than not initiated by Mazzer who I though had his best game in a Manchester shirt today - Marcus playing with a smile on his face and a few trademark runs by The Prof merely created the space for Tomo and Wolfy to run into. The first try was created in exactly this way and it set the pattern for the game.

At half time we had managed three tries, Tomo had decided not to run under the sticks and made life difficult for Marcus with a conversion or two and we were 17-0 up!

We talked at half time about the importance of scoring first in the second half and so just to ratchet up the blood pressure for the coaches on the sideline, we went to sleep and the two best Ormskirk players on the day; the number 8 and quick inside centre, combined to go over in the corner and we sensed a fight back.

Fortunately we managed to drag ourselves up by the boot straps and I have to say that I thought the forwards then stepped up their commitment and competed far more effectively at the breakdown (Scribblers lad on a report from the inside confirmed that these were the most contested breakdowns of the season) , there was some great first up tackling by the Back Row Massive of Semple, Kylie and Smurf who really came into their own and started to show how they can compete for the ball. More of this please you three!

Also the line-out was excellent today and the achievement made all the better because Ormskirk have a good, big set of forwards. Tom Royle seemed to get his hands on the ball at every lineout and there was good support from the Karate Kid, Hassan and Scribblers lad who I thought had one of his best games of this season, not withstanding his athletic leap for the ball from a clearance kick by Ormskirk’s 10, he carefully watched the ball..... he never took his eyes off it.... he leapt like a salmon.. (well a bit like a tin of salmon....) and missed the ball by five yards!! It was also a good day for the marauding Sheap who yet again showed pace to make the backs blush - it always makes me smile when I see the Sheapy chasing Wolfy...... and not being too far behind him!!

Three further second half tries and the win became secure and a chance for cameos from Noisy and McHooker - apologies to those that didn’t get on today (Beckers, Usain and Sutty), but well done for supporting, bringing on water (for the athletes!) and the kicking tee - even if at times McHooker wasn’t quite sure of the difference between the two.

A quiet day for PC Cannabis’s eldest who got himself in all the right positions but it was one of those days when the ball just doesn’t come to you. Move of the day must go to Brad, who having seen little ball all day saw his opportunity as the ball broke free in the Ormskirk 22 - he claims he was only passed by the prop because he was busy flicking his hair and waving to Spielberg - video evidence will reveal all!!

We were informed after the match that Brad has not got the Kerry Katona part in the Tesco Xmas TV advert, however he has a Radio 4 audition soon - I can not comment on who remarked that he has a good face for Radio, that is cruel and deeply hurtful..... if not actually quite funny!