Lancashire Junior Colts Final

Sunday 2nd May 2010

Liverpool Collegiate 17   Vale of Lune Junior Colts 7

Looking to bring the season to a fantastic conclusion the Vale Junior Colts travelled to Rochdale on Sunday knowing they were up against a strong and skilful Collegiate team, and that they were just one game away from the ultimate accolade of achieving a Cup and League double.

Conditions were ideal for a good rugby, with the much needed rain that arrived just before the week-end having provided a nice bit of give in the ground.   

Vale kick-off with the light, but influential breeze, behind them, but it was Collegiate who scored first after about 10 minutes when they worked the ball out to the right and stretched the Vale defence for their right wing to go over in the corner. The Vale team however slowly began to get into the game, but their normal strong rucking game was disrupted by a team who were equally as competitive at the breakdown. After some sustained pressure Baines had an opportunity to drive at the heart of the Collegiate defence from a ruck on their 22, and did so brushing aside 3 defenders en-route to score under the posts. Carter converted to make the score 5 – 7.

Vale then had another couple of opportunities, which went begging, and whilst they were beginning to impose themselves on the game their defence had to remain strong because Collegiate constantly showed that they were a combative and skilful side capable of creating scoring opportunities. The first half came to a conclusion with Vale once again pressing deep into the Collegiate half.

The second half initially continued very much in the same way with both teams playing some excellent  rugby.  Collegiate broke the deadlock however and once again scored a try out wide on their left, making the score 10 – 7. 

 Vale immediately responded to this, and for a period of time were camped inside the opposition 22. Collegiate managed to clear their lines on several occasions but it wasn’t long before Vale were back in their half, and thought they had regained the lead when McSporran drove over. The referee however indicated the ball had been held up.  

With time running out caution was thrown to the wind by the Vale team. This allowed Collegiate in for one of their few incursions into Vale territory during the second half to score again when their centre, who was tackled just short of the line, was able to reach over to score their third try.  The Vale team continued to show tremendous spirit until the referee blew for full time, when they were once again deep in the Collegiate half.  

The Vale Junior Colts, although disappointed at the end of the game, slowly began to appreciate at the “end of season party” later that evening, what a superb season they have had winning the NW Raging Bull “A” League, being Lancashire Cup Finalists and reaching the Semi Finals of the North Division of the National Junior Colts Cup.   

Vale Junior Colts:

A. McSporran, D. Thomason, J. Rudland-Thomas,  S. Dixon, S. Thompson, S.Wilson, M. Rogerson,  A. Baines, O. Dobson, O. Carter, E.Bland, J.Lynch, R. Wood, J.Reeve, S. Pedder, Z. Ashton-Hill, M. Field, A. Holroyd, M. Simon, K. Sharples, M. Walling, C. Willmott.  

 In the Afternoon they watched a  fantastic  Guinness Premier League match between Northampton Saints and Gloucester  with the highlight meeting and being photographed with some of the current  England international players including Mike Tindall and Ben Foden.

Coaches Neil McSporran, Phil Rogerson and Simon Baines were proud of the lads who were dressed smartly in their red Vale polo shirts (see match photo) with the lads now looking forward to their Lancashire Cup Final on May 2^nd.

Sunday 21st March 2010

After the disappointment of losing to Doncaster in the National Cup the Vale youngsters had strong opposition in the form of Raging Bull Colts C League Winners Warrington in the Lancs Cup Semi Final on Sunday at Powder House Lane. Still without several key players due to injury, and three others representing Lancashire in the county team playing Yorkshire, this was always going to be a tough challenge for the fit and available members of the squad.

 The sun was shining with a gentle breeze blowing down the pitch from the clubhouse end after some light rain overnight made for excellent playing conditions. 

The warning signs were there very early on for Vale when from just inside their own half Warrington moved the ball quickly and comfortably through hands to the right, and just when they looked as if they could get outside the Vale defence their winger kick the ball away and Vale were able to clear the danger.

For the first quarter of the game things were quite balanced with the game looking as if it could go either way, and it was Warrington who scored first when they were awarded a penalty which would have been a very difficult kick was moved 10 metres closer to the Vale goal line for an unnecessary comment. The Warrington fly-half took full advantage of this slotting the ball cleanly between the posts from just outside the 22, and 15 metres in from touch.  

Vale then exerted considerable pressure on the Warrington line, but they came away with nothing as a result of some excellent defence.  From here Warrington worked the ball downfield and from a kick and chase, assisted by a slow retreating Vale defence, Warrington took advantage of a miss wayward pass and ran through to score the first try of the game.

At half time, 8 – 0 down, Vale made some changes, bringing on Vaughan Jones at scrum half, Ashton Hill at prop and Mason at wing forward.  Within a short time of the restart these changes began to pay dividends with Vaughan Jones slotting in well at scrum half, playing an intelligent game and combining well with Rudland-Thomas  at No 8 , who was a continual thorn in the side of Warrington with his driving runs off the base of the scrum, always needing the attention of 2 or 3 players to bring him to a halt.

Despite more determined defence from Warrington Vale eventually go the reward they deserved when they worked the ball out to Lynch who scored. With Bland slotting the ball over for the extras, making the score 8 – 7 to Warrington, the Vale players once again began to believe in themselves. From the kick-off, which didn’t go 10 metres , McSporran took the ball on the full and raced down the wing, before kicking ahead and  forcing Warrington into a desperate clearance to touch.    

Vale were now putting Warrington under extreme pressure at the scrum, who were struggling to obtain any controlled possession and it was no surprise when Thomason finally picked up and dived over after a series of controlled pick and drives.

Despite going behind for the first time in the game Warrington showed a tremendous spirit and managed to breakout of defence and get into an attacking position within the Vale half. This however was short lived and once Vale had absorbed a couple of minutes pressure they again moved back deep into the Warrington half. With fresh legs in the form of Bunn, Hall and Simon being introduced the pressure intensified and Vale drove over the line a couple of times only for the referee to be unsighted, or to be held up. Eventually this pressure told when McSporran sold one of his infamous dummies and dived over for the final score.      

Vale Junior Colts:

K. Sharples, D.Thomason, G. McSporran, S.Dixon, S.Thompson, C. Wilmott,  A.Holroyd, J. Rudland-Thomas, S. Wilson, E. Bland, J. Reeves, M. Walling, J. Lynch, R. Wood, S.Peddar,  A.Mason, C. Wilmott, M. Bunn, Z. Ashton-Hill, D. Hall, T. Vaughan -Jones

Sunday 14th March 2010

After travelling to County Durham for the previous round the Vale Junior Colts had the luxury of a home game at Powder House Lane for the semi-final of Northern Division of the National Cup. Opposition for this semi-final doesn’t come any bigger, in more ways than one, in the form of Doncaster, who had several players who would not have looked out of place in many senior club 1^st teams.

 Conditions were ideal for a good game with the light breeze blowing across the pitch, providing no advantage to playing in either direction. After Doncaster had kicked off Vale quickly made progress into the Doncaster half, and  demonstrated that any advantage that Doncaster had in size was going to be negated by the tenacious and spirited play of the Vale team.

Having had Doncaster under early pressure, it was then the turn of the Vale to defend their line, and despite having initially repelled a drive close to their line, they were dismayed, when Doncaster went over to score the opening try. Time and again this season the Vale youngsters have shown an immense team spirit and commitment. This now stood them in good stead once again and after this opening score they pinned Doncaster back in their own half for a good proportion of the first half during which time Carter kicked two penalties when Doncaster transgressed at the breakdown. On the one occasion that Doncaster got within striking distance of the Vale line they were met by a concrete wall of Cherry and White as everybody in the team tackled tenaciously,  and half time arrived with Vale leading 6 – 5.

At the beginning of the second half Doncaster came more into the game, and despite once again being within touching distance of the Vale line they could not break the immense defence and spirit of the Vale team. Just when it appeared that Doncaster had been repelled they were awarded a penalty which they converted to retake the lead 8 – 6.  

Doncaster may well have thought the flood gates were now going to open, and they would extend their lead and win comfortably, but it was quite the opposite as Vale came back at them. With a penalty just inside his own half Carter decided to go for the points. His kick was right on line but unfortunately fell just short and was fielded behind the line by Doncaster who cleared to touch. With time running out Doncaster kicked down field deep into the Vale half. Vale ran the ball back through Pedder, and when he got in front of his forwards they drove this on through several phases, before releasing Wilson who raced down the wing. The forwards were there again and they drove the ball on, with several perfectly executed pick and drives. With Doncaster in disarray and just when it looked a score to win the game was inevitable at the next phase, the referee penalised them for holding on.  A much relieved Doncaster kicked the ball into touch for full time.

Another superb performance from the Vale youngsters, who once again showed an outstanding team spirit, and exhibited resolute defence. Whilst this was the team’s last appearance in the National Cup their successful season is not yet over. They will be back in action at Powder House Lane at 12.30 on Sunday 21^st March in the semi final of the Lancashire Cup against Warrington.    

Vale Junior Colts:

K. Sharples, D.Thomason, Z.Ashton-Hill, S.Dixon, S.Thompson, A. Baines,  A.Holroyd, M. Rogerson, O.Carter, E. Bland,  J. Rudland-Thomas,  J. Reeves, R. Wood, S. Wilson, S.Peddar, A.Mason, C. Wilmott, M. Bunn

Junior Colts with their Trophy at the Presentation Evening March 12th 2010

Consett 17    Vale Junior Colts 35

Sunday March 7th 2010

 Vale left Powder House Lane on the long journey to County Durham for the National Under 17’s Cup game at Consett on a glorious but frosty morning. With the late withdrawel off key players Rogerson and Reeves, in addition to the long injury list which include Catlow, Field, Wilmott, Dobson and Simon and unavailable Wilson the team arrived in the heart of the NE to play against unknown opposition with a certain amount of trepidation.

Scrum going forward

Their nerves were quickly settled however when Carter first slotted over a penalty from the 22, and then a short time later went down the narrow side, after Dixon had pinched a Consett ball at the front of the line on their 22, to score the opening try. As well as settling their nerves it also appeared to produce a 10 to 15 minute lacklustre effort, which resulted in Consett being allowed back into the game and scoring their first try. This was the “wake up” call the Vale youngsters needed and from here on they proceeded to pick-up the pace of the game which Consett struggled to deal with. Carter was given 2 more opportunities with penalties which he converted with comfort. As half time approached Vale scored  an outstanding try which was started by Ashton-Hill who won and secured the ball close to half way. His fellow forwards quickly drove over to produce good quick possession.  Vale spun the ball out wide to the right, and again the forwards were there in support at the breakdown to produced more good quick ball which went through several pairs of hands back to the left wing, where Dixon, who was “loitering with intent”, showed a clean pair of heels to the covering Consett defence to finish a great team try. Carter again made no mistake with the conversion and stroked the ball over to make the half time score 21 – 5 to Vale.

Scrumming down

Consett on the move

There was not respite for Consett at the start of the second half with Vale again quickly into their stride playing an excellent 15 man game, and with 2 minutes of the restart Wood went over after one of his trademark juggling tricks, catching the ball at the third attempt before racing away from his bemused opposite number to score. Wood then scored a second after another good passage of play which found Baines at outside centre and with a two on one. Not content with a simple pass he executed a perfect switch with the alert Wood, who cut inside with a clear run to the posts. Vale were really on top at this stage, and although the game was now lost Consett still showed a terrific spirit and never gave up.  Vale had to show determined defence on several occasions to keep them out. When Carter received a yellow card Consett had a chance to reduce the deficit, which they did scoring two late consolation tries.

Neil McSporran in pensive mood

Bainsy keeping a close eye on things

This was a really good all round performance from the team , with several notable individual performances including Man of the Match Wood not only for his 2 tries, but also his excellent defensive work.   

The Vale youngsters will now play Doncaster in the next round of the competition at Powder House Lane on Sunday 14^th March kicking off at 2.30pm.   

Vale Junior Colts:

J.McSporran, D.Thomason, Z.Ashton-Hill;   S.Dixon, S.Thompson;   A. Mason, A.Holroyd, A.Baines;   O.Carter, E. Bland;   M. Bunn, J. Rudland-Thomas,  J.Lynch, R. Wood,  S.Peddar;   K.Sharples.

Preparing for the game

Vale  arrived at Kendal with a good three inches of snow covering the ground,  and with heavy snow still falling  this game was in considerable doubt, but after a considered pitch inspection and  efforts by both teams to mark out the pitch by sweeping the lines it was decided that the game would go ahead.

Team bonding

Vale initially had Kendal under pressure but the characteristic solid defence of Kendal which would serve them well throughout this game, played in testing conditions, held firm. Vale were eventually awarded a penalty for an infringement at a ruck which Carter converted.  Kendal responded quickly however and defied the conditions with some slick handling scoring a good try wide on the left.

Carter goes for goal

Whilst Vale were dominating the scrums they were also making many elementary mistakes and not adapting to the artic conditions as well as they had adapted to the waterlogged pitch on Monday against Kirkby Lonsdale. Despite winning good ball at the set pieces the ball often squirted out of cold hands when they went into contact. Vale did however manage to put together one good continuous play when Bunn on the left wing stayed on his feet as he drove forward. Rudland Thomas  ripped the ball out, which was quickly moved right through several pairs of hands, including forwards McSporran and Dixon,  before Wood continued his impressive try scoring season skiing over in the corner.

Rogerson soaring at the lineout

It was then Kendal’s turn to put Vale under pressure, which resulted in them crashing over from a penalty 5 metres out. They then extended their lead from a penalty which made the score 13 – 8 at half time.

Competing in the lineouts

Vale really began to put Kendal under more pressure, and despite total dominance in the scrum, the Kendal defence again stood firm. Once again however the Vale team failed to keep possession in contact , which is something they have been so good at in their very successful season. There were no further scores leaving Kendal good winners on the day and in extenuating playing conditions.  Despite losing this last league game of the season the Vale youngsters  are Winners of the Raging Bull Junior Colts “A” League, and as a result progress into the prestigious National Under 17’s Cup.

Their first round game on Sunday is away to Consett, County Durham. 

Preparing for the scrum

Vale:  A. McSporran, D. Thomason, Z. Ashton-Hill,  S. Dixon, S. Thompson, A. Baines, A. Holroyd, M. Rogerson,  S. Wilson, O. Carter, M. Bunn, J. Rudland-Thomas, J. Reeves, R. Wood,  S. Pedder, K. Sharples, M. Walling, A. Mason.

After disposing of league leaders Lymm only the previous day, Vale took on a determined Kirkby Lonsdale side under the floodlights at Lancaster & Morecambe College on what had become a very damp evening with water beginning to lie on the pitch.  A game in which a win would all but guarantee the league title for the Vale.

After a dropped kick off, Vale pushed into the Kirkby half and secured an early try through Thomason, who took advantage of a free blindside to pick up at the base of a ruck and dived over in the corner. Carter missed the kick, but this proved to be his only error with the boot all night. He then added a further two penalty goals in the first half  making the score 11 – 0 at the interval to   Vale.

The second half saw the welcome return of Reeves into the centre, but it was again the forwards who created an excellently worked try. A series of pick and drives and short balls off scrum half Rudland-Thomas led to Thomason being tackled just short before Wilson picked up to reach over the line for the try.  Kirkby then made a determined repost with a long range penalty goal. Kirkby ran and ran throughout the game and had plenty of ball but Vale’s defence is turning into a formidable unit.  Kirkby were let down by their own indiscipline at the breakdown providing Carter with the opportunity to kick three further penalties to round off an extremely assured performance by Vale of Lune. This win should ensure the league title will be officially gained at Kendal on Sunday unless weather conditions interfere.

Vale of Lune: K.Sharples, S.Wilson, Z.Ashton-Hill;   S.Thompson, S.Dixon;   D.Thomason, M.Rogerson, C.Willmott;   J.Rudland-Thomas, O.Carter;   M.Walling, J.Lynch, R.Wood, M.Bunn;   S.Pedder;   A.McSporran; A.Mason; F.Catlow; J.Reeves; A.Baines.

         Vale’s visit to Lymm had been one that had been eagerly awaited since the first day of the season where Lymm had beaten Vale 22-10, and as the season has progressed it became a match of much larger proportions as Lymm and Vale sat first and second respectively in League A. It may have been Valentine’s Day but there was no love lost between these two sides, in a game that was nip and tuck from start to finish.  With the slope and the wind advantage in the first half Lymm pinned Vale back in their own territory but Vale’s defence was an impenetrable wall of cherry and white, Lymm only yielded one penalty goal for their half of pressure and Vale’s brief foray into Lymm territory brought a missed penalty by Carter. At half time the score stood at 3-0 to the home side.

        Straight after the break Vale piled on the pressure through some astute kicking by Pedder and Carter and shortly after another long range penalty miss Vale’s patience paid dividends, the ball was spread wide to Rudland-Thomas, who continues to look as comfortable in the midfield as he does in the front row, powered his way through a number of Lymm players before flicking a one handed offload to Wood, who fended off the remaining Lymm tacklers to run the remaining 15 metres to the line and dot it down under the posts. The conversion was duly added by Carter. As Vale continued to lay siege on the Lymm defence a moment of indiscipline offered Carter a 30 metre shot at goal which he slotted with aplomb, making the score 10-3. Vale then soaked up countless Lymm attacks, Thomason, Baines, Rogerson and Holroyd all made telling turnovers. When Vale then moved back into the Lymm half a moment of magic from loosehead prop Mason sealed the win, a show and spin to break the line, then a turn of speed to beat the Lymm winger from 25 metres out and touch down in the corner. Carter superbly kicked the extras to make the score 17-3. Vale then dug in deep and kept Lymm out for  the final 8 minutes and despite the sin binning of Holroyd, the youngsters defended magnificently to secure a crucial and well deserved victory. The Vale team now are within sight of winning the league with only two games this next week against local rivals  Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal standing between them and winning the NW Raging Bull Junior Colts “A”League.   

Vale:  A. McSporran, D. Thomasson, A. Mason, S. Dixon, S. Thompson, A. Baines, A. Holroyd, M. Rogerson, F. Catlow, O. Carter, J. Rudland-Thomas, J. Lynch, R. Wood, S. Wilson, S. Pedder, K. Sharples, Z. Ashton- Hill, C. Wilmott, M. Bunn

The Vale youngsters travelled to Moss Lane, St Helens in the knowledge that they had a tough game ahead of them in this Lancashire Cup 3rd Round as Liverpool St Helens were not only the only unbeaten team in the NW Raging Bull Leagues, but they also had a massive 300+ points difference in those games.

Early exchanges confirmed this was going to be a testing game with tackles going in hard and rucks and mauls being fiercely contested, but Liverpool St Helens were increasingly on the back foot as the Vale back row of Baines, Rogerson and Holroyd began to make a big impression on the game. After good quick ball at a ruck Vale out-foxed the Liverpool St Helens defence with fly-half Carter spinning a perfect pass to Wood who sprinted on to the ball and tip toed along the touchline to score the first try.

Liverpool St Helens continued with their dogged defence and attempts at enterprising back play up until half time, with score remaining at 5-0 until the interval.

After the break Vale introduced fresh legs in the form of Rudland- Thomas and Mason who both made immediate impacts, with Mason picking up a loose ball and proceeding to run 40 metres down the field, when he was eventually tackled the ball moved swiftly through several pairs of hands before Rogerson went over for what was a fantastic team try. As Vale began to turn on the style, the ball came to centre Rudland-Thomas who’s burst of pace surprised his opposite number and he broke the line and sprinted  the remaining  40 metres to score a great individual score, which was duly converted by Carter. Holroyd then followed suit with an equally impressive effort. Taking advantage of the tiring LSH defence he sliced through the first line of defence before side stepping the fullback to add another five points.

 The game grew progressively scrappier through many handling errors, but the Vale continued to stand firm at the set piece as they did all day and eventually the period of hard graft paid off with Thomason crashing over in the corner, benefiting from a powerful run and excellent off load from Baines. As the full time approached Liverpool St Helens, who stuck at it for whole match applied some big pressure on the Vale line but the defence held firm, and as they tried to spread the ball wide , Lynch capitalised on a poor pass, took it on the bounce, and sprinted three quarters of  the pitch to score the final try, with Carter adding  the extras to complete the Vale’s scoring, and another fine performance by the Junior Colts. This win takes the team to the Lancashire Cup Semi Final, which will be against Warrington at Powder House Lane on Sunday 21^st March, KO 12.30pm

Vale of Lune U17: A.McSporran; D.Thomason; K. Sharples; S.Thompson; S.Dixon; A.Holroyd; A.Baines; M.Rogerson; F.Catlow; O.Carter; E.Bland; S.Wilson; R.Wood; J.Lynch; S.Pedder; J.Rudland-Thomas; M.Bunn; C.Wilmott; A.Mason.