St Pats U12 travelled to a practically tropical Saddleworth today. Looking to extend their winning run and continue their current strong form.

Pats kicked off and from the off set out their intentions for the game with some ferocious tackling from the pack and very strong running with ball in hand.

Bradley Clarke laid the platform for the opening try with a barn storming run down the right. The ball was moved inside and Callum Greens kick was knocked on by Saddleworth. Knocked on and Jacob Littler was on hand to open the scoring. The conversion was missed and Pats Led 4 – Nil.

Some unforced mistakes by both sides made for some scrappy exchanges and one of these mistakes led to Sadleworths opening try. Pats knocked on and from the resulting scrum saddleworth moved the ball across filed to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and the game was tied at 4 – 4. Game on.

This try sparked the Pats into life and again with strong running down the right this time by Herbie Farnworth the ball was kept alive. Left and right the lads probed looking for the opening in the Saddleworth defensive line. Eventually the ball landed in the hands of Warren Bynham on the right who barged over for the score. Callum Green converted and Pats led again 10 – 4.

Saddleworth continued running hard with the ball in hand but the Pats defence was up to the task and always welcoming.

Callum Green collected the ball and broke straight up the middle. The ball was moved to the right to Dec Lannon who put debutant Daniel Rollins in for his first try. Conversion missed and Pats Led 14 – 4.

With Pats in the ascendancy Saddleworth pulled off the tackle of the game. Strong running again down the right eventually saw the ball come to Callum Green who kicked cross field for Dec Mercer to collect on the full. With the try line beckoning and a try saving tackle one of the Saddleworth lads wrapped Dec up and stopped him inches short of the line.

The 1st half came to and end with the Pats 14 – 4 to the good.
Saddleworth restarted the 2nd half and Ethan Havard showed Pats intentions for the 2nd half by running the ball back with interest straight up the middle. Saddleworth showed a lot of spirit in the 2nd half but they had no answer to the Pats strong running all over the pitch and determined defence.

Pats ran in a further 7 tries in the 2nd half 2 each for Herbie Farnworth , Ethan Havard and Callum Green with 1 for Declan Mercer. Callum Green converted 5.

Pats today were too strong for Saddleworth but the score line belittles the effort and commitment they showed. The Saddleworth heads may have dropped a little in the 2nd half when defending but they never dropped when running with the ball.

Overall this was a very strong team performance with solid personal performances all over the pitch. The pack again getting through the hard yards with determined aggressive tackling and strong running to lay the attacking foundations.

Man of the Match Ethan Havard

Top Tackler Cameron Brown

Coaches Award Daniel Rollins

Special mentions also for Dylan Jones and Tom Guest who both turned in solid performances