Everyone had been looking forward to this game. We have continued training throughout summer, many of the boys have already played a few school games. So there was no excuse not to be ready!

We arrived with a squad of 18 with some boys missing on school trips and away. The sun was hiding and there was a trickle of rain. The cooler weather was actually welcome for a change! The parents seemed in a jovial mood mainly because the English enjoyed talking about the recent match against the Scots! Plus, with Jim Graham helping to film our games so we can look at how we play (hopefully Jim did not film any of my questioning techniques!)

The coaches agreed to play 3 periods of 15 minutes. The pitch was smaller than we were used to but well marked out (I believe Shovlin senior was impressed by the precision of the flags and cones!). The Ellesmere pack looked huge but we know there will not be many teams quicker or fitter than us.

Shovlin junior was captain for the day, winning the toss he elected to receive the kick so we could have possession first. The game kicked off and Bowdon caught the ball and ran forward. During the first period Bowdon looked strong with the ball in hand, off loading when possible (maybe a little too much!). Ellaby, Golding, Hill, Shovlin, Cartlidge, Kelly helped secure the ball at rucks which allowed early ball to the backs to run havoc, Vanderhook and Woodford as half backs played well. Solid running and quick passing from Tierney, Hughes, Fitzpatrick, Gordon and Redford allowed us to score 2 tries in the corner. Further runs, rucks and mauls from the marauding packs of forwards from Bowdon allowed Ellaby to crash over. All 3 tries in the first period converted by Redford, Tierney and Cartlidge. We gave Ellesmere a try in the first period, in their 22 area we had secured possession at the ruck but an intercepted ball allowed Ellesmere to run the length and score.

The second period allowed us to make some changes. Mackenzie, Gallagher, Reid and Barlow stomped on the pitch ready to rumble. Ellesmere were not happy and wanted to make amends. We kicked off and chased the ball down. Bowdon were like hunters searching for prey. Bowdon took no prisoners. Ellesmere under pressure always looked to kick. Fitpatrick on form took the ball back every time. The game was feisty and bodies were staying down. With continued pressure on their 10 yard line, Ellaby stole the ball and charged over again to score. Off the kick back to us Bowdon took the ball up again, Reid not afraid caught the ball well to keep possession in the rucks, Gallagher and Barlow had good runs on the wing and from centre. Mackenzie was not afraid to put his body on the line when tackling. When the backs ran a little sideways Gallagher on the wing had the intelligence to switch back in and keep play going. Darting runs from Vanderhook and Woodford got the ball down in their half, the forwards took the ball on creating mayhem in the mauls. With Ellesmere throwing players at the rucks and mauls this allowed Bowdon to go wide again
and Hughes took the ball well and raced through the gap to score. Both conversion successful from Hill and Tierney. Ellesmere did score again from a tap penalty 10 yards from the line which meant the game finished 14-35 in our favour.

Ellesmere had pre agreed to a third period. So McLoughlin and Cameron stormed on ready for action, at second row and hooker respectively. We changed a few positions with Woodford going to fullback, Redford at centre, Fitpatrick into fullback. The boys started well. Ellesmere made few changes which allowed them to keep a strong pack. Although, this did not phase the lads. The tackling was hard, the rucking strong. There seemed to be a few infringements from Ellesmere pulling players down at rucks. We had most of the territory. McLoughlin as usual tackling hard. Cameron fitted well in the lineout stealing the odd ball from the opposition. With the opposition creeping up it prevented us from getting ball wide effectively. Ellesmere did score from their forwards charging into our 22 and yards from the line crawled over to score. Although disappointed the boys in that period played good, strong rugby. The score finished 7-0 to them.

A big thank you to Ellesmere who were great hosts, accommodating for the minute silence and above all played good rugby.

What more can I say but to say thank you for all the hard work the boys put into today. We started the season as we ended last season. IN STYLE!

As always a big thank you to the travelling parents and supporters.

Cheers Steve