Wake up call for the 2s

Discipline & Respect

Northwich 2s travelled away this week to Crewe and Nantwich, one of the other teams to come down a league from last season. The Northwich squad had changed a lot from the previous week however it was still a strong team on paper.
The black and gold players performed well in areas however focus and discipline caused a few problems throughout the game. Crewe scored first with a basic but perfectly executed passage of play, using forward runners and options sitting deep. Northwich would counter this, only moments after the restart where they were awarded a penalty in the home sides 22 area. A quick tap from Richard Hart and a sprint for a line saw him get the try and add the extras.
The game went unchanged for a while however it would be C&N to gain the next points. With a 2 on 1 situation in the Northwich 22, a last effort to make a tackle was put in, unfortunately the ball was hit in this attempt and the referee awarded a penalty try.
Again Northwich responded well, after a few plays the visitors were awarded a penalty on the half way. The ball was kicked into touch just outside the C&N 22, and a well moved lineout turned into an unstoppable driving maul which saw Dan Collins cross the line for 5 points. The conversion was missed. The score remained 12-12 until half time.

The game restarted and the C&N game plan had changed, and much to their benefit. A few big carries from forwards and then firing the ball out to their wingers proved to be an effect attack, and while Northwich tried to adjust defensively, the home side were able to run in 2 more trys, only 1 was converted.

Northwich rallied once more and went back at C&N. At this point an injury to Sam Jones saw him side lined for the rest of the game along with Daniel Gregory, and with no replacement prop the black and gold’s dominant scrum was lost. However determination kicked in and the away side’s efforts were rewarded. From a well worked lineout, the attacking side were inches away, a pass to returning Chris Bradshaw on a solid crash line saw him go through the defensive line for a try. The conversion was missed.

The game went quiet for a while. A missed penalty kick from Crewe and a knock on from Northwich just shy of the try line were keeping both teams on their toes, however once again Crewe would capitalise well on a mismatch out wide and run in another try, the extras were added.

5 minutes remained and Northwich were trailing 31 – 17. Another injury to Jay Miranda meant the black and gold would have to see it out with what they had left, and it was a great last effort. The ball was secured by Crewe who were counting down the clock; however a turnover by James Elliott saw the visitors on the front foot in a dangerous area. Following a few runs from players like Jack Bailie, Matt Purbrick and Dave Farley, the Northwich side were able to get another try just in time, this time Shaun Burmah claiming the points for his team. The conversion was made and there was just enough time for the restart. Although Northwich got themselves into another great position, unfortunately a bad pass would lead to a knock on out wide and the final whistle was blown.

From the roar of the home side you could see how much this victory meant to them. The Northwich side are commended for bouncing back time after time throughout this match however they need to remember at times the best thing any team can have is discipline and respect for the referee and for each other. I have no doubt in my mind that this is a wakeup call for the 2XV and they will come back bigger and better next week against Liverpool Collegiate in the league/cup double header.

Squad: Clarke.M, Dodd.F, Gregory.D, Bradshaw.C, Farley.D, Elliott.J, Burmah.S, Bailie.J, Hart.R, Keller.A, Connor.S, Purbrick.M, Jones.S, McGrory.R, Husbands.T, Collins.D, Miranda.J, Hampson.L

Trys: Hart.R, Collins.D, Bradshaw.C, Burmah.S