1st Team

The only way is up , and that's certainly what's happening to the Jude's at the moment with this exciting 50-24 win against a very big Saddleworth Rangers at the Meadow. Things weren't always as easy as the score line suggests with the big Saddleworth pack dominating early on and it was the visitors who registered the first points of the day but Judes tough, energetic forwards were  pushing and bullying their way forward with Oly Oladele , Tom Owen , Gavin Rodden , Conal Bevan , Luke Barrett , Callum O'Connor and Paul Pendlebury at the forefront of everything good . Jude's Defence was hitting in numbers and soon had Saddleworth back-pedalling at times. Jude's opening try was a neat grubber kick from scrum half Rob Fenney for winger Darrion Ball to score wide out. This was quickly followed by a Gavin Rodden break who found Winger Darrion Ball who's neat pass back inside to the lively supporting second rower Gavin Rodden for him to score a superb try. Saddleworth let Judes know they were still in the game with two close range tries to get right back in the game. This seemed to fire up Judes and after great work from Baz Rothwell, Rob Fenney and Rob Collier for hard working Forward Conal Bevan who crashed over from close range , Collier goaled. And right on the stroke of Halftime Ashley Marshall scored a great try when Nathan Jones and Connor Parkinson found the winger,who's acrobatics to catch the ball payed off with a try to take the lead 20-16 at the half. Right from the restart Judes were on the scoreboard, when from a drop out by the visitors Gavin Rodden found Joey Brady who scored wide out , Collier goaled. Jude's soon got back into the swing again and on 8th min of the second half winger Daz Ball put in a neat grubber kick for a Joey Brady's try, Rob Collier goaled. This was quickly followed by Ashley Marshalls try when Centre Connor Parkinson hit the line well and he put in a neat grubber for the flying winger to score , once again the boot of Collier did the rest. Jude's next was from a loose pass by the visitors and quick thinking Rob Fenney found centre Joey Brady who's pace did the rest to score his third try Rob Collier goaled. The final points of the day came from Jude's full back Nathan Jones who has been in fine form since returning to the clubs No1 shirt when from his own twenty he ghosted through the Saddleworths defence and went on a 70 metre run to the line with the Saddleworths defenders giving up the chase for a superb try , Rob Collier did the rest slotting over from the touch line. Young Jason Holland and stalwart Tye Forde came on and did their bit in this well deserved win which moves them into 4th spot in the league  with two games in hand. Jude's have done the double over a very tough Saddleworth side and I don't think many teams will do that…great win lads.

Man of the Match ….Gavin Rodden ..all round top performance.                                                       Sponsors Man of the Match…Joey Brady a hat trick of tries …Sponsor Wigan st Jude's Masters.

A Team

Wigan St Judes A visited local rivals Chorley Panthers looking to solidify their position in the play off positions of North West Men's league Div2.

The game started in a lively manner with both teams not giving any ground. On one of Judes first attacks, young Gary McMahon,  who was outstanding all afternoon evaded the defence and beat two would be Chorley defenders to score a superb try at the side of the posts. Converted by Scott Robinson.

It was from this point on that the afternoon began to turn against a luckless Judes team,  3 very early game or even season ending injuries to Prop Lewis Barrett, winger Phil Cox and Full back Jack Baxter who was clean through on the line before suffering a leg injury depleted the side to a point where this was going to be very difficult. The Judes sideline looked like a scene out of Wigan RAEI waiting room!

Nevertheless, the forwards led by Man of the Match Leon Harber and captain Danny Clayton took the game forward, Nathan Clarke, Danté Morley-samuels, Michael Gibson and Kieron Gaskell regularly causing the home side problems. Only a mistake giving an interception try and a dropped ball gifting possession kept Chorley in the game.

Judes poor run of luck continued when Centre Adam Lavin was really unfortunate to have a try chalked off after a fabulous pass from scrum half Dec Parkinson put him clean through under the posts. Scott Robinson added further to his 12 point haul by snatching a try and conversion before half time. With a sterling effort Judes went into the half time with a 12-8 lead.

The second half was a continuation of the battle in the first half with no quarter asked or given. Possession moving from one side to another, with only 15 minutes to go Judes held the lead 20-16 after Dante Morley-Samuels touched down, and Scott Robinson had converted a conversion and a penalty. Having only 13 fully fit players to rotate began to take it's toll and Judes defence creaked and eventually failed when Chorley dove over close to the line. With 5 mins to go and the score at 28-20 Judes attacked again, Danny Clayton being dropped inches short and Dec Parkinson picking up a loose ball on his own 20 metre mark and looking like he would outpace the covering defence to score only to be agonisingly caught.

A really tough day for the Judes A team who deserved more...a massive bright spot was the outstanding and at times brilliant performances from our future stars Leon Harber, Gary McMahon and Dante Morley-Samuels.Final Score 28-20 to Chorley.

MOM 1st Leon Harber

2nd Danny Clayton

3rd Gary McMahon

Under 16’s

St Judes 18-20 Crosfields

(Played Wednesday)

The gutsy 13 men of Wigan St Judes were unfortunate 18-20 losers in a titanic and very entertaining battle at home to Crosfields in their NWC Premier Division clash.

In Front of a very large crowd and on a very warm Wednesday evening at Parsons Meadow, the home side put on a show they can all be very proud of.

Injuries and holidays meant St Judes could only field a bare 13, in comparison to the 18 players Crosfields had turned up with.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock after the early and almost brutal exchanges of big hitting defence lead mainly by chief hitman George Witter.

The early score conceded didn’t deter the home side in any way and they were soon level thanks to a Connor Ramsdale try.

Forwards Witter, Ethan Conroy, Saul Mills, Jack Barnes & Harry Adamson ran tirelessly all night, orchestrated well by hooker Harry Leigh. The backs, were playing their part too, ensuring in the hard yards where shared equally throughout the team.

The Ramsdale try was the only St Judes score of the first half and despite the courageous first half St Judes effort, it was the visitors that held a 16-4 halftime lead.

The second however, belonged to St Judes, defying the odds with no substitutes in a game played at a very intensity.

Tries from Jack Mills, Ben Findlow, & Jack Barnes would see the game enter into a nail biting finale with the visitors leading 20-18.

The clock would inevitably defeat the home side as Crosfields held on to run out 20-18 Winners.

Very difficult for anyone to pick out a man of the match in such a fantastic team performance, however, the superb all round performance of Saul Mills did see him win the award that was selected by the opposition.

Under 15’s

Halton 32 -4 St Jude's

Half time 20 - 0

Tries: Owen Birch

Under 13’s

Ince Rose Bridge  0-36 Judes

Today was a crucial win, not only a league game, but a double header as the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup, so no pressure!  A controversial game, that felt like history was going to repeat itself, but thankfully this time we came out on the winning side.

Our forwards were strong from the outset and really bossed the middle of the park with their determined runs, married with some awesome defence, really contained Bridge in their half of the park and their only break Callum saw to it that they were bundled into touch, with a brilliant individual effort.  Judes attacked the line and Leon and Junior came very close, but the ball was flung out to our speedster Alfie Whittle on the wing to score his first in the corner.  After a penalty strewn few sets it wasn’t long before Alfie Whittle was doubling up after coming in the middle to take a ball in and cut through the defence like a knife, to score under the sticks.  Converted by Callum Silcock, gave us the lead to calm the nerves 0-10.  Bridge’s restart ran dead for a drop out, but again our defence held strong and switched defence to attack, repaying the compliment and trapping our opponents in the in goal at the opposite end.  Judes were finally awarded their only penalty of the game and Callum kicked the 2 points to end the half 0-12.

Second half started in the same vein with penalty after penalty, but this still didn’t deter our defence that although had to work overtime, still kept Bridge from getting over the whitewash.  Great drive again from Kenzie set the platform for a switch play from Eliot to Richard Nsemba who used his size to crash over the line and finish a superb move.  A fantastic break down field from the kick off by Alfie who really chewed up the metres, but again Judes pulled for a controversial obstruction.  Bridge knock on and finally Judes were given the ball this time, Callum went for the line on the last and was over, but Bridge managed to keep him on his back and prevent the 4 points.  Judes were getting terribly frustrated in this game and they could easily be excused for letting their heads go, but instead they responded superbly by attacking strongly.  The next try coming from fast hands down the line to Reagan Hunter on the wing to pop over in the corner, with a great touch-line conversion from Callum Silcock.  Bridge kick at the end of their set, which was taken comfortably by James and played to Alfie Whittle, who twisted and turned to assess the situation, before backing himself down the wing, beating numerous defenders to score an outstanding full length and his hat trick under the posts.  Judes finished the game strongly with an amazing drive from Richard Nsemba, who broke the defence and powered to the line and with a Bridge player attached to him, still dove over to score.  Conversions by both James Richardson and Callum Silcock, ended a testing game with a 36-0 victory to Judes.

Congratulations to the lads to be in their second final in as many seasons.  All credit to Judes who were resolute today and still stuck to their game plan, with remarkable performances from all the team that soaked up anything that was thrown at us.  Fantastic to see that nil on the team sheet lads, massive well done and WE’RE IN THE FINAL!!!!

Today’s Awards go to:

Outstanding Effort: Harvey Makin, great stats on paper today and really bossed the middle of the park in both attack and defence

Outstanding Effort: Kalan Devine, our captain fantastic, always leading from the front.  Another with great stats and very strong determined running

Man of the Match: Alfie Whittle, another fantastic performance from our speedster.  This lad is so confident on the wing and scores tries for fun and his ability to beat defences is second to none

Under 11’s

Wigan St Judes 12-26 Leigh Miners Rangers

Today we were host to possibly the best team in the league.

The last time we played them we was on the back end of a 40 - 0 drumming.

The first half saw some great defence from the boys, with Cayden Barry with his best performance to date. Leigh were intent on scoring, however the boys dug in and held them up on the line and forcing errors.  Judes made some breaks only to be short off going over the line.  Miners did break the Judes' line but only twice, at the break it was 0-10 to the visitors.

The second half saw the boys take the game to Leigh, a well placed kick from Lewis Banks started a foot race between Kian Stanton and James Molyneux with Kian being the first to get his hands on the ball (converted by Callum Davies).  With Cody Newton and Sam Young holding back the Miners attacks and Josh Mawdesley and Freddie Boylan running at the line it wasn't long before Kian was in for his second (converted by Lewis Banks). Judes had the lead and were playing some good rugby, until a couple of dropped passes allowed Leigh to take a 2 try lead.  The boys didn't drop their heads and kept on the pressure.  Unfortunately Leigh crossed again to end the game 12 - 26.

This was a great game for the boys, which showed that we can give the best teams in the league a game when we put our mind to it, Well done!!

Man of the Match: Kian Stanton

Parents Player Award: Harry Stokes

Coaches Award: Cayden Barry

Effort and Achievement: Sam Young

Under 11’s - Golds

Wigan St Judes Golds U11s 46-18 Halton Hornets

Today The Golds travelled to Widnes to face high- flying Halton who have been on an unbelievable run, dominating most teams in our group.

Halton got off to a fantastic start, powering down the right wing with the Judes' players falling off tackles and giving the Halton attack far too much time and space. This resulted in a quick Halton try and a shock for the Golds. 6-0

Judes hit back quickly with a full length from boy mountain, Malachi Price, smashing through the Halton line with a devastating first run. Back level within 30 seconds as Austin Daniel added the extras

6-6

Our defence was slow and unorganised but we somehow managed to hold out The Hornets and force a turnover. Full back, Austin Daniel crossed the field, showing the dummy to Jake Hare before slipping through the gap and scoring under the sticks, Keegan Mobey converting 6-12

A moment of madness from one of the Judes big lads saw an obvious ball steal and awarded The Hornets a fresh set on our own line, starting only two yards out there were no surprises when Halton crossed the line. A harsh lesson to learn for our players but a good one all the same. 12-12

Again, Judes hit back quickly and with huge runs from Mal and Jake we were testing the Halton line once more, quick thinking from winger Aron Fleming saw him bag his first ever try! Throwing the dummy then diving down from hooker to score! Converted by Dylan Gregory 12-18

Unfortunately, the sloppiness in defence resumed and again we allowed Halton in with poor spreading and falling off tackles they flew down the wing and scored in the left corner, taking us in at half time

18-18

During the break, we talked to the lads about their poor line speed and lack of urgency. We asked them to concentrate on keep their opponents at bay as we knew our attack was strong enough to keep adding the points but felt it was our defence letting us down.

Second half we were like a different team... our defence from the off was strong, Malachi Price and Elton Paplekaj putting on huge hits and really throwing themselves into every tackle. Judes were soon on the attack once more and half back Keegan Mobey produced a wonderful cross field kick, collected and grounded with ease by Austin Daniel. Elton Paplekaj converting 18-24

The Judes went from strength to strength and Austin Daniel impressed the crowd with two back to back tries, weaving in and out and confusing the defence with amazing lines, the forwards providing him with wonderful dummy runs. Two quick tries, bringing his total to four! Both converted, one by Freddie WInnard and the other by Sam Cunliffe 18-36

The team had found their form again once more and with Big Mal Price storming over for 2 more to complete his hat trick, the poor first half was long forgotten. One of these converted by Aron Fleming, Big Mal's kick hitting the post!

Final Score: 18-46

Not our best day but an amazing recovery and definitely a game of two halves!

Elton Paplekaj shone in defence with amazing marker play, constantly pressuring the defence and forcing mistakes. Austin Daniel and Malachi Price ripped the defence apart, Mal with his strength and determination and Austin with skill and speed.

Keegan Mobey also had a fantastic game, particularly his kicking game, impressing the opponents with his precision and accuracy. We are of course absolutely thrilled for quick thinking Aron who bagged his first try and was over the moon! Well done Aron!

10 games out of 10! An amazing start to our journey at  Wigan St Judes

M.O.M - Austin Daniel and Elton Paplekaj (Shared)

Parent's Player - Austin Daniel

Top Tackler - Elton Paplekaj

Opposition M.O.M - Keegan Mobey, Mal Price and Austin Daniel (Their coach just couldn't split them!)

TRIES

Austin Daniel x 4

Malachi Price x 3

Aron Fleming x 1

KICKS

Austin Daniel

Freddie Winnard

Elton Paplekaj

Keegan Mobey

Dylan Gregory

Aron Fleming

Sam Cunliffe

Under 9’s - Golds

St judes u9s golds took on newton storm on a wet morning down at parsons meadow.

Judes started strong, passing the ball along the line and backing each other up, they crossed the try line 6 times in the first half. Newton weren't far behind showing some great passing and scoring 5 tries themselves.

In the second half judes started to pull away. With great defence and strong tackling from Marc, zac and Findlay newton were unable to match the judes pace. Line speed, ball work and support play was the winning difference, judes never giving up and playing the game as a team.

Try scores for judes

Zac 3

Findlay 2

Shay 2

Olly 2

Jayden 1

Braden 1

Ben 1

Mom went to the captain Findlay.

Under 9’s - Maroons

Judes traveled the short distance to orrell in a local Darby littered with skill and determination. Judes from the off was on fire and there attack play was 2nd to none. Defence was key to this game as the strong running Orrell forwards attached Judes line but they didn't falter. Great team performance today all across the field. And it's great to see the stuff we have worked on being done on the field. Best attacking display this season. Backed up with a solid defence. Keep up the great work. Very proud.

Final score. Orrell 3-9 Wigan st Judes maroons

Try scorers

Liam Aspinall 1

James Gleeson 1

Leo hollinshead 3

James Deacon 2

Ty Roberts 2

Most improved-Braden Aspinall

M.O.M-Ty Roberts