A Day for Debutants

A Helsby side unrecognisable from one teams that had suffered defeats to Collegiate and Aldwinians assembled on Saturday.

A side full of debutantes and returning players pulled on the famous badge, very different from the side containing 6 props in the starting XV from 2 weeks previous, this side was packed with pace and youth (and Captain Peter Ruane). The traditional Helsby 2nd XV late arrival of kit hampered the warm up of the fine athletes that had already assembled at Mossley Hill.

Once the boys where out the traditional warm up started and the new combinations in the backs instantly started to click. Peter chose to kick off, play up hill and in to the substantial wind in the first half, confirming our suspicions that he is a tactical genius!

The game started and it was clear from the off that Mossley Hill wanted to get a first win of the season as much as Helsby did. Aggressive at every ruck it was 5 minutes before the first mistake gave Helsby a scrum 40m out. The HUGE Mossley Hill pack instantly imposed its dominance and the scrum moving backwards forced a rushed ball from Glynn to Walker Jnr. not phased by the onrushing defence Walker danced around 9 and 7 before then rounding the entire Mossley Hill pack, full back and anyone else who was quick enough to get near him. Walker Jnr touched down under sticks scoring a dazzling solo try, Walker Snr then imparted some pearls of wisdom to the young prodigy.

Helsby now knew they had the measure of their opposition in the backs and where in for tough time up front. The restart saw Helsby over confident and offload twice within 5m of their own line, the 2nd finding the floor then a Mossley Hill defender touched down leveling the score.

The first half was a tit-for-tat battle with Hill scoring and Helsby replying. The half time chat was simple, lets use the wind like they did. Not one for listening Walker Jnr ignored this and decided to use it much better than his opposite number had.

The 2nd half started as the first had ended, a stalemate resulting in frustration and the forward being pulled apart by the good looking, athletic, backs. A penalty just over 40m out gave Walker Jnr the opportunity to show case his kicking and put Helsby in front for the first time since the opening minutes. This was the catalyst for Helsby to start playing to their strengths and stop being dragged in to a dog fight.

Walker's kicking master class for the next 40 minutes saw some incredible tries score including a magnificent cross-field kick creating a 2 on 1 allowing a 20m stroll in for Howarth on his Club debut (and first game of rugby in years). As the second half continues the combination of Walker jnr, Titherington, Backhouse, Robinson and Keegan went from strength to strength with all putting forward strong cases for Man of the Match.

Captain Ruane again struggled with his problematic knee and left the field early in the 2nd half. This meant scrums were now uncontested, which really helped the Helsby cause against the more dominant Mossley Hill pack. Despite this Helsby almost lost an uncontested scrum and the ball squirted out between 6 and 8.

The last half hour showed what this 2nd XV are capable of and with players still to come back the competition for places will get hotter.

Man of the Match goes to Alex Walker who was devastating with ball in hand and on boot. Notable mentions also go to Titherington who was a handful all game and the entire pack who silenced the much larger opposition.