1st Team

In the final league action of 2017 at the Meadow St Jude’s entertained Cumbrians Askam who nearly spoilt the day as with 5 mins to go and leading by 8 points Jude’s looked down and out, but a dramatic late surge saw Jude’s score 10 points in the final 5 mins and secure the home advantage in the playoffs finishing a creditable 3rd in the league. Jude’s made a flying start after 7 mins when Gavin Rodden burst clear to feed Adam Lavin who found Man of the Match Daz Ball in support and the Dazzler did the rest right under the posts , Rob Collier goaled. Then Jude’s line defence was put to test as lively Askam attacked their line , Oly Oladele, Tom Owen, Nathan Bevan, Paul Pendlebury, Gavin Rodden and Leon Harber working hard to stop the raids. On 12 mins the visitors scored a somewhat easy try when Jude’s defence failed to reset around the the play the ball area. Jude’s next score was great rugby when Nathan Bevan, Rob Fenney , Rob Collier and Paul Pendlebury found Centre Connor Parkinson who stepped his way over, Collier obliged with the boot 12-6 to Jude’s. But Askam came right back with another score which was quickly followed with a second under the sticks and the visitors had took a 18-12 lead. As halftime approached Jude’s took advantage of Askams indiscipline and Jude’s attack was rewarded when Rob Colliers inside ball to Nathan Bevan who shot over for a try, Collier goaled and Jude’s went in 18-18. Jude’s maintained that momentum into the second half with Ben Jones, Robbie Horton, Luke Barrett, Leon Harber, Gavin Rodden and Nathan Bevan setting the platform, but it was The visitors who scored next to take a 24-18 lead. Replacements Gary McMahon and Ben Fisher came on and from the onset Jude’s drive to win the Match was there for all to see and it was young Gary McMahon who scored when he spotted a gap around the ruck as he darted in for a score 22-24 to Askam. But the visitors struck again to take a 8 point lead into the final 20 mins. Facing defeat the Judes rallied and Ben Fisher, Gavin Rodden and Gary McMahon started to string passes together and on 75 mins Winger David Fagan scored wide out of a Adam Lavin pass, young Ben Fisher Coolly slotted over the two points from wide out which set up a frantic final 2 mins. In the final minute Jude’s regathered a Askams loose carry and Rob Fenney, Ben Fisher, Gary McMahon and Adam Lavin whose final pass found Winger David Fagan who managed to squeeze in wide out with seconds to spare, not enough time for the visitors to get back and a relieved Jude’s started their celebrations. Next week Askam at home  bring on the play offs.

Man of the Match  Darrion Ball

Under 14’s

Wigan St Judes 18-22 Crosfields

The boys were back on home turf today and ready to get stuck in and  show what they had worked on. They all knew their roles and respected those of others. They went down with the first try, but learned from that mistake and fixed it really quickly with a try from Dylan in at the corner, off the back of great team play and ingenuity.

Stern defence from either side kept the score at 6-4 until a kick dead from Crosfields gave us a 20m tap which Dylan saw space and sprinted 80m to go in under the sticks. Before half time, we then saw some great set up play from the boys to get Cam Spear over line. Half time was 14-4 to Judes. The boys were buoyant in the second half and really working for each other. Both sides seemed a little nervous and came up with some handling errors. Judes scored again through Jake and the game was in their hands. Unfortunately a couple of breaks managed to break Judes and we ended up behind. Judes fought right until the end but came up short at the end 18-22. It was by far the best performance this team has put in together. Well done lads, you've come a long way and are starting to see where we could be! I'm extremely proud of you today!

Tries

Dylan 2

Cameron Spear

Jake Liptrot

Conversions

Leon

Man of the Match

Liam Ryding  great choice from the opposition, ran and tackled his heart out today. Rarely gives us less than everything, well done.

Coach's choice  Connor Dalton-Roby   amazing talent who has been recently re-unleashed , runs strong, tackles harder, great work ethic. Brilliant to have you back on board.

Let's go again next week boys

Under 11’s

Wigan st Judes 12-42 Blackbrook

Today saw us play host to probably the best team in this age group.

Judes started well keeping out Blackbrook, for the first 5 minutes Judes were holding their own. That was until Blackbrook found the way to open up our defence, once open it was hard for Judes to keep them out. It wasn't all Blackbrooks way as at times the Judes applied the pressure and they made so mistakes but Judes didn't take advantage of this. At the break Blackbrook were in the lead 0 -34.

The second saw Judes come to life with a lovely inside ball to Max Jones hitting it at full speed and Blackbrook couldn't stop him going over. After a few tries from brook Judes went in again from a great weighted kick to the in goal area, which Deecan Snape collected and placed down. In the end it was Blackbrooks' game.

The Judes at times shown they could play rugby to a good level, they should start to believe in themselves more.

To score two tries against a team like Blackbrook is a win! The Judes just need to complete this season and start to build towards next year. After all the upsets so far this season that saw key players leave must have broke Judes confidence.

Just keep going Judes!! and before long we will be back to full strength.

Well done.

Awards this week :-

Man of the Match - Max Jones

Parents Player of The Match - James Molyneux

Coaches Award - Harry Stokes

Effort and Achievement - Deecan Snape

Under 11’s - Golds

Wigan St Judes U11s Golds 30 -12 Newton Storm u11s

With our original opponents unable to make our fixture, we were looking at another free week until Newton Storm asked the league to find them a game, we saw the request and took them up on the offer. the kids were made up to have a match against new opponents who they had never previously played.

With Judes kicking off, Storm worked quickly up field and were well into our half, a great tackle by Malick Niang saw the ball spilled by a Storm forward, the loose ball picked up by Austin Daniel in our final third, who weaved his way in and out before opening his stride and going all the way to score under the sticks. Converted by Keegan Mobey

More great tackling from The Golds saw a turnover on half way, a quick scoot from Elton Paplekaj caught the Storm pack off guard and they simply couldn't match Elton's sheer strength and speed. Blasting through the line to score centre field. Converted by Austin Daniel

Another great push from Storm saw them testing our try line defence, we worked hard though, holding them up over the line. The turnover in this position meant the forwards had to step up and do what they do best, one drive from Big Mal was enough to part the Storm pack though and he stormed down the pitch unchallenged for his first. Converted by Dylan Gregory

To take us into halftime, Austin replicated his earlier try, going full length once more with pace and strength that simply could not be matched. Malaki 'Paddy' Cullen converting to go in

Looking for more of what we had already seen, we were pleased to see a great start by Mal Price, pushing off defenders to open the scoring very early in the second, Aron Fleming adding the two

Great line speed and forceful tackles saw the turn over after another Storm spill, hooker Freddie Winnard's dummy confused the marker allowing him time to break down the wing, the Storm lads chased him all the way but Freddie's speed and determination was enough to see him keep ahead of the race and he dove over in the right hand corner, converted by Jake Hare

A resilient Storm hit back after a huge onslaught from The Golds and put together some great passes to get over in the left hand corner, they deserved a try after a tough first half and kicked it too!

Judes were next to score, from the restart we showed good control and passing, fullback Austin Daniel looked to go himself after drawing the defence but a quick and accurate pass to an awaiting Aaron Bolton sent Aaron flying down the wing to score his first ever Judes try! Converted by Freddie Winnard

With a few more kids on the team not having scored for The Golds yet, following this try we decided to try to get some more of them over!

Today's captain Paddy was quick to jump at his chance to finally get over the whitewash, Great support play saw him following up another storming run from Mal Price who popped the ball off to Paddy. Paddy dove over for his first try in maroon and gold, (thrilled is an understatement!) and Aaron Bolton added the two.

Again Storm hit back driving down field, after a misjudged charge down, Storm ended up with six to go on our line, with tired legs The Golds couldn't hold up the huge Storm prop and he dove over for another Storm try, converted,

To top off a great day, we ended the game with another first time try scorer, Tyler Foster spied his chance and scooting from the halfway line he managed to out step the Storm winger and get over for his long awaited first. New boots Ryan Sweatman finished the game with a great kick.

AWARDS

Coaches M.O.M: Aaron Bolton and Malaki 'Paddy' Cullen (Split)

Opponent's M.O.M: Keegan Mobey

Parent's Player: Malaki 'Paddy' Cullen

Top Tackler: Malick Niang

Player's Player: Aaron Bolton

TRIES

Mal Price x 2

Austin Daniel x 2

Freddie Winnard x 1

Elton Paplekaj x 1

Aaron Bolton x 1

Malaki 'Paddy' Cullen x 1

Tyler Foster x 1

KICKS

Aron Fleming

Jake Hare

Freddie Winnard

Dylan Gregory

Ryan Sweatman

Austin Daniel

Keegan Mobey

Aaron Bolton

Malaki Cullen

Under 8’s - Golds

Wigan st Judes golds 30-24 hindley

Today's game saw Hindley travel the short distance down to St Jude's.

The game kicked off with St Jude's. A charging run forward  and Tadgh Casey slipped over for the first try of the game. Hindley responded with a try despite some great defence from Isaac Fleming who made some strong tackles. Jack Myers made a driving run forward, a super pass out was picked up by Aston Bailey however he was tackled close to the line. The determination showed though and the next run saw Aston Bailey go over for a try. Jude's showed some great ball movement through the quarter and very strong defensive but Hindley was determined to make this a close game and went over for a try to end the first quarter.

The second quarter started with Hindley Mason Chisnall made a great tackle however Hindley scored and the scores were again level. The next set saw a blazing run by Mason Chisnall down the outside taking down three players with his trademark hand off. Jude's we're up for this And so we're Hindley as they drove over another try. Jude's set saw a strong powerful run from Kyle waklin saw us move forward and Archie Unsworth stepped up the pace to go through the middle of their defence and score. Three tackles back to back by Deacon Charnock kept Hindley out for their set. Jude's saw this as advantage with Gabe Mills showing off some speed with a great run. The ball movement in this set was awesome and when Harrison Oaks got his hands on the ball there was only one place he was going and that's over the line.

The 3rd quarter couldn't have started better Jack Elwick made some yards with a strong run scoring in the left corner. Cody Smith and Harrison Oaks put there body's on the line to keep out Hindley for their set. It was now time for Jude's to take control of the game with Aston Bailey scoring a blazing try leaving the Hindley team trying to chase him down. This quarter saw some fancy footwork from Oscar Roper a great side step saw him drive down only to be taken out into touch. It wasn't over there and Oscars next run saw his hunger drive him over for that try. Hindley took some hard hits on the next set but they never gave up and they pulled a try out the bag. It wasn't over yet and the last set was about Mason Chisnall again showing his speed to score his second if the game.

Hindley were trailing but they weren't giving up. Jack Hill put on his game face and hit three hard tackles back to back the pressure on the pitch was showing and Hindley were fired up. Gabe Mills got the set off with a blistering cross field run. However it was Mason Chisnall who went over for his hat trick of the day. Jude's held strong for the Hindley set not only keeping them out but pushing them back. There was some great ballwork  from Archie Unsworth on show. It was the good hands of the Jude's lads that sent Jack Hill straight through the pack for well deserved try. The game ended with a last cheeky try from Hindley who  pushed hard in the corner and managed to slip it over. Great game of junior rugby played by both teams.

Trophy winners

Coaches mom oscar roper

Opposition mom deacon charnock

Parents award Aston bailey

Most improved Archie unsworth