Hoylake 14 - 3 Sefton

With Saturday’s weather forecast showing torrential rain and high winds, this was never going to be a day of open, running rugby but a day for both packs to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in, which was exactly what transpired.

With an injury to Mike Russell during the week, Phil James's selection in the 2nd row was the only change from last week in the forwards. In the backs Conor Bradshaw was selected on the wing as was Mike Webster, Ben Sparke picking up another injury last week and Danny Lewis taking his turn on the bench with squad rotation policy in affect.

Before the kick off a minute silence was held by players and supporters in memory of John Tipping who sadly passed away during the week. John Tipping's contribution to the club was renown, not least for pioneering the replacement of the wooden hut clubhouse in the early 70s and his later archivist role, culminating in the publishing of his book in 2011. John’s Funereal will be held Monday 13th April 2015 at 11.00 am at Landican Crematorium and afterwards at Hoylake Rugby Club.

Now onto the game in hand, Hoylake kicked off with a strong on-shore wind blowing diagonally and favouring Sefton. Hoylake were quick out of the blocks and immediately had Sefton on the back foot with some short pop passes, taking the ball on at pace. With their captain missing from the front row, Sefton found their scrum under intense pressure throughout the 80 minutes and it was from a scrum that the platform was set for the first and only try of the day. After a Sefton scrum was put under pressure the clearance kick out of their 22 failed to find touch and was gathered by Mike Webster who ran strongly and with purpose, the ball was moved inside and after several phases skipper, Matt O'Neill, took the ball down the blind side and fed No.8, Matt O'Hanlon who hugged the touchline before diving and stretching for the line to score. A difficult conversion into the strong wind was missed but the score seems to have settled the home side's nerves and that of their supporters.

As well as struggling in the scrum, Sefton were having a similar difficulty finding their tall jumpers in the line-out where lock, Tom Corkhill, was having a field day, controlling their own ball and stealing his fair share of Seftons too. So with Sefton only having scraps of possession to play with it looked unlikely they would threaten the Hoylake line. However, when they did have ball they looked threatening out wide. For the next 30 mins neither side could make any clear cut breaks as both defences look rock solid. Hoylake looked the most threatening but incorrect decisions, basic errors or unnecessary penalties often letting Sefton clear their lines. The half petered out as penalty kicks were exchanged to leave a half time score of 8 – 3 to Hoylake.

What wind advantage there was favoured Hoylake in the second half as Sefton kicked off. It was apparent that Sefton had changed their game plan to keep the ball in hand and move it wide at every opportunity, however it was Hoylake's forwards that again dominated possession from the set piece and their rolling mauls adding. At one point 4 scrums in a row were won against the head and Sefton had no answer to the power of the Hoylake 8.

For the third quarter Sefton kept Hoylake at bay impressively and being only 5 points down their backs did pose questions for Hoylake to deal with when they managed to get the ball.
Sefton's reluctance to kick the ball out of defence, no doubt because of the wind and to hang on to what possession they did get have was an apparent game plan, however the strong the Hoylake defence of seasons past was on display and the penalty count started to creep in for Sefton. James McLaughlin knocking over one, meaning Sefton now needed to 2 scores to win the game.

With the intensity of the game starting to show, Coach Rob Kurton game onto the pitch for the impressive Phil James to add some more impetus in taking the ball on. It was from one of these runs that Seton gave another penalty away in front of the sticks and with the clock counting down, another 3 pointer was gladly taken. Hoylake pushed for another try in the closing moments but it wasn’t to be and another knock on resulted in the final whistle being blown the final score 14-3 to Hoylake

Looking back in hindsight, the score should have been a lot more with the amount of possession Hoylake had but we controlled the game well and were never really under any pressure on our own line. Although the MOM award was given to the forward pack (and Rob) there were some stand out performers. Rich Young was immense at the breakdown and his ball carrying was a thorn in Seftons side all day. Guy Byatt made some bone shuddering hits and Matt O’Neill led from the front with his ball carrying and offloads.

In the backs fly-half, James Mclaughlin controlled the game masterfully, varying the play to Hoylake's strengths. Centre Jamie Russell made the most of what he got and both wingers enjoyed a few decent runs as did the elusive Joe Lavin at full back. So whilst it may have been frustrating not turn pressure into points credit must be given for Sefton's stalwart defence.

We have now learned that Medics have lost their appeal to the 5 point deduction for an illegible player. A fate we only know far too well having suffered the same deduction earlier in the season. Todays 4 point win and Bowden beating Medics leaves us 2 points from safety behind Manchester Medics and 5 from Bowden. However we do have a game in hand.

The Game in hand is against Douglas at home, we have been informed by the RFU that this has to be played before the end of the season (as it gives us an unfair advantage if we play it after) and all of our previous suggested dates (going back to early December) have been refused by the RFU. This leaves us next weekend only to squeeze this game, which again has been refused by the RFU. As soon as we hear how the RFU would like to proceed all parties will be informed.