Challenging Conditions for all to start the season

By Chris Gough

Crosfield Cobras 26:36 Shevington Sharks
HT 10-20
TRIES: Finn, Wella (2), Josh A, Finley
CONS: Finley, Finn, Josh K

Storm Freya swept in to welcome the start of new rugby season for Crosfield Cobras U10’s. The opening game could not have been much harder with Shevington Sharks the visitors, a team which is a pretty big fish in this league and still remains the third oldest amateur rugby league club in Wigan.

The game started in promising fashion with the Soap strong in defence and moving the ball well in tough ball handling conditions. Against the run of play, Shevington opened the scoring before Soap responded brilliantly when a great set finished with Acko chipping a precise cross-field kick for Finn to score a superb try in the corner, Joe missed the conversion which was wrongly taken from right on the touchline. The Cobras were asleep on the restart allowing the Sharks to regain the lead instantly, however, after a sustained period of possession close to the line Wella capitalised with a well-taken try and Finley added the extras to bring the scores level. The muddy playing conditions were making an impact as both teams coughed up possession, Regan put in a massive tackle close to the line to win the ball back, however another handling error allowed Shevington to retake the lead before they extended it further at the stroke of half time to give a 10:20 HT score.

The pitch was turning in to a mud bath and soap could not keep hold of the ball, the sharks smelt blood and 3 tries in quick succession as the start of the second half took the game away. It was good old fashioned rugby league biff and the muddy warriors gave battle in a feisty game. When the ball started to stick again the Soap hit back with a trademark Acko score, dummy + handoff = Try time. Finn added the extras. Finely then bulldozed over shortly after to reduce the deficit and Ollie missed the conversion. Soap never gave up and Regan and Spencer put in a great shift throughout the game in defence, with Ollie making a great impact off the bench with some great tackles. The Sharks crossed over for one more score before Wella had the final say with her second of the game, Josh Kerr slotted over the conversion as the game finished 26:36.

There is no better lesson than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.

Parents MOM: Regan
Away Team MOM: Regan
Coaches Award: Charlie
Top Tackler: Spencer