Port Sunlight 11 - 50 Hoylake 1st XV

This week's report comes courtesy of the bench boys.

Saturday saw us travel to Port Sunlight for the game. With skipper, Jake Woods, getting married in Penrith, Hoylake were much changed side with several regular starters missing.Neil Ruecroft joined Darren Agnew and Will Dowe in the front row. Will Selby-Milic and Ian Griffiths locked the front row together, Guy Byatt and Matt Evans were on the flanks and Matt Ross at No.8. Phil Jones came into scrum half with Ben Sparke, back after travelling, at fly half. Matt McClaren and, a returning, Mike Webster were on the wings. Steve Young made a welcome return to join brother, Ritchie, in the centre. Tom Lavin was at full back.

Hoylake kicked off up hill and spent the next 10 minutes camped in Sunlight's half without being able to penetrate their defence. Two minutes later Sunlight hoofed the ball out of their half and Hoylake were penalised at the break down but their attempt at goal failed. A few minutes later though they were more successful and incredibly took the lead 3-0. Hoylake really should have scored from the restart. Good passing from their own half saw Guy Byatt free with support and one covering defender to beat. It just needed a half decent pass, sadly that's not in Guy's repertoire and his pass went lamely into touch. Hoylake did manage to score not long after. Hoylake took their scrum in Sunlight's 22, ran the ball to the blindside, releasing Mike Webster to score. Another score 5 minutes later set the trend for the rest of the game. A Sunlight kick out of defence was well fielded by Tom Lavin, he looked up and set off at pace, linked with his support, the ball was moved on until Steve Young elegantly strode out to score. The game was skidding to half time when a Steve Young chip to the wing was deflected by a Sunlight hand, as the ball skewed in the air, Darren Agnew leapt like a gazelle against a much taller Sunlight full back. Darren caught the ball and set off like a rampant, rutting deer. From around the 22 he galloped for the line, with huge cheers from Hoylake's supporters, to swan dive under the posts for the try of the season. 17 – 6 at half time was the least Hoylake should have got.

The rain persisted, but at least Hoylake had the slope and valley, from the opposite 22 to the dead ball line, in their favour. Sunlight kicked off and with some endeavour managed to restrain Hoylake's play and develop the odd phase themselves. The referee was increasingly bewildering the Hoylake supporters, let alone the players. Anyway, had a line out on Hoylake's 5 metre line and rumbled over to score.

That triggered a steady supply of tries for Hoylake. The bonus point fourth try came from a Hoylake scrum, just in Sunlight's half. Coach, Rob Kurton had replaced Matt Ross at No. 8 five minutes earlier. He picked up and set off down the blind side. He passed to Mike Webster, who still had much to do, and did so in his inimitable way. He charged for the line and demolished three attempted tacklers in the process to score from about the 22 line. Sunlight were tiring fast and struggling, made worse when they had a player binned for a spear tackle.

Hoylake were quick to take advantage. Steve Young launched a huge up and under into Sunlight's 22, they fumbled the ball and Ritchie Young was on hand to gather and score. From the restart Hoylake ran the ball into Sunlight's half and then went through several hands before Matt Evans scored.

Minutes later Danny Lewis rolled over several times from a tackle to score wide out. Conor Bradshaw finished off the game receiving the ball in space and eluding several defenders through his pace. So a 50 – 11 win was secured on a wet, slippery and sloping surface, the skipper and his acolytes not being missed. It was great to see the Ste Young on the field again after several knee reconstructions.

Steve gave us his full repertoire of skills including a charged down kick! Ritchie Young was his usual demanding self, leading by example and there when he needed to be.

Phil Jones did well at scrum half until having to leave the field injured just before half time. Ben Sparke was equally comfortable in the role, distributing quick ball when he could and taking the opposition on too. Mike Webster brought strength and commitment and then there was Darren Agnew's try – say no more.

The win took Hoylake to top of the league with the same points as Tyldesley, who beat Ruskin Park but without a bonus point, but they do have a game in hand. Collegiate are third, 3 points behind, having beaten Eagle comfortably but having 5 points deducted from an earlier game in the season.

Next week it's a sponsored lunch before Hoylake entertain Heaton Moor who are 7th in the league, and were very competitive at home so should be a entertaining game.