42

1st Team

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24

Askam

Sat 30 Sep 2017 | Play Offs | Home

A 18 point haul by Stand off Ben Fisher, along with a controlled mature performance, as he was rightly awarded the sponsors Man of the Match as St Jude’s brushed aside Askam in the play offs semi final at the Meadow 42-24. For the second week in succession this time Jude’s got it right against Askam from the onset and to be honest never looked like losing this game. Great performances across the park in particular the under 18s lads , Gary McMahon , Leon Harber , Robbie Horton and Ben Fisher all played with a confidence and a maturity beyond their years. Askam came with real intent and from the kick off they tested Jude’s attitude to defend, forwards Tom Owen , Olumide Oladele , Gavin Rodden , Nathan Bevan , Dave Fagan and Paul Pendlebury were all well up for it. On 5 mins Paul Pendlebury found Connor Parkinson who crashed over for a great opening try, Ben Fisher slotted over the two. Jude’s next was from a neat short ball from Gary McMahon to Gavin Rodden who burst clear to feed Daz Ball who did the rest, Fisher goaled. Minutes later Ben Fisher regathered his own grubber kick, all be it a lucky deflection to score by the posts ,which he goaled. Judes line speed was restricting Askams forwards, Tom Owen , Daz Ball, Ben Jones, Paul Pendlebury, Gavin Rodden, Nathan Bevan and Luke Barrett looked energetic in defence and the attitude to defend was spot on. Judes next try was from a Nathan Bevan break around the ruck where he found Paul Pendlebury in support and Paul did the rest with a well deserved try , Fishers reliable boot added the two . Askam did manage a score late on in the half with a neat grubber kick, just! But Jude’s looked well in the driving seat. Jude’s is players so often carried the ball with intent with Nathan Jones, Daz Ball, Barry Rothwell, Ben Jones, Gavin Rodden, Robbie Horton, Paul Pendlebury, and Leon Harber punching holes in the Askams defence time and time again. Gary McMahon, meanwhile was thriving behind his pack and Ben Fisher guided his team around the field, breaking up any momentum Askam had. And it was young Ben Fisher who set up Jude’s next try when a neat grubber kick through the line saw Gary McMahon dive on the ball to score, Fisher added the two points. Baz Rothwell was next on the score sheet diving over from close range on the left, Fisher goaled. Jude’s final try was the icing on the cake and great to watch when Ben Fisher found Gary McMahon who’s clever short ball to outstanding second rower Gavin Rodden whose power and pace did the rest with a cracking try, Ben Fisher Coolly slotted over the two points and a 100% with the boot 7 out 7. Askam did rally late on but it was far too late to spoil the party and Judes will now play Bradford Dudley Hill at the Meadow on the 14th October in the final play off game 2017.

 

Man of the Match..chosen by Askam    Gavin Rodden outstanding again

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