Victories at Vale

11s performances rewarded with victories at Vale Festival

The 11s travelled to Vale festival with a depleted squad of 8 with being Easter hols and this took it's toll in the final match, unfortunately against local rivals, Hoppers. However, there was so much to cheer before this with great performances against Penrith, Bolton and North Ribblesdale.

First up was a rather large Penrith side, an unknown quantity to the lads. As one parent put it, several of their players were taking a break from running their own farms! The lads started well, tackling anything that moved and showing the bigger Cumbrian lads how to ruck. Alfie, whose rucking has been outstanding all season, opened the scoring with a strong run. Penrith equalised but Blackburn boxed clever, by using our big lads, Rocco, Rheon and Obie! to drive up the middle and tie in the Penrith defence. With Taylor distributing well to our racing snakes out wide, Ben, Noah and James, resulting in 2 typically jinking tries from Ben and James. Penrith, again, fought back with a well worked try but James finished the game off with his 2nd.
Blackburn 4 - 2 Penrith

Next, up Bolton, who we had already been beaten by quite easily at the beginning of the season. Again, the lads tackled and rucked well but Bolton were matching us and getting over the gain line with some strong running which resulted in the opening try. Blackburn kept their heads and kept on playing. Some good runs by Rocco, Noah and Obie kept us going forward. Then, Alfie wins the ruck, Taylor feeds the backline, Rheon draws 2 defenders, feeds James who beats his defender to level the score. The game could have gone either way with both sides attacking but defending better. A lapse of concentration, though, in the Blackburn defence allowed Bolton to make a break down the left and looked sure to score. But then, from absolutely nowhere, Taylor appears to put in an outstanding, try and match saving tackle. This allowed Alfie and Rheon to get back, tidy up the loose ball and feed James deep in the Blackburn half. He set off down the blindside on the counter attack. Sprinting down the wing it looked like he was going to score. However, a couple of Bolton players had the angle on him and looked like they would get him into touch. However, James toyed with them, stepping inside, then out, then in again, turning the defenders one way then the other and finally, turning on the gas to score the winning try. What a performance from the whole team.
Blackburn 2 - 1 Bolton

Played 2, won 2. The lads were looking forward to the next game, North Ribblesdale, another unknown quantity. A team not as big as the other two but with some good runners. In a tough, very evenly matched game, both sides defended well. Most notably, a try saving cover tackle from Ben. This was even more impressive due to the fact he was playing in trainers, due to an unfortunate bout of amnesia as they were setting off!! Unfortunately, this hampered Ben massively as he couldn't get a good grip and change direction in his usual mazy runs. He also, ended the game with a damaged knee but the rest of the lads held on to the draw. Still unbeaten!
Blackburn 0 - 0 North Ribblesdale

Last up, Hoppers. Ben's injury forced him to miss this one and with Rocco not feeling too good, this was a game too far for the lads. Having all played their hearts out in the previous 3 matches and having no replacements, you could see the lads were a little tired. Although, they started well with James opening the scoring to put us 1 up. It went downhill from there, Hoppers running in 4 unanswered tries before another injury forced us to finish the game early, only having 5 fit players left.
Blackburn 1 - 4 Hoppers

Another enjoyable festival of mini rugby. Thanks to Vale of Lune and thanks to the lads who gave their all. That's all we can ask for as coaches. Well done boys.

Squad: Alfie, Rheon, Ben, Obie, Noah, Rocco, Taylor, James