Match Reports

Under 14s v Winnington Park

Longton U14s took on a classy Winning Park team on Sunday 29th March.  Up against the Cheshire Champions, Longton knew that this was going to be another tough fixture.  This was proved to be the case with Park bagging a hatful of tries for a comfortable 0-77 victory. 

But respect has to go to the Longton lads for not choosing to duck these difficult matches - they have already played the Staffordshire and Cheshire Champions and the Staffordshire cup finalists this season.  

With several player getting their first real taste of rugby this season, Longton were up against it from the first minute when Park scored their first try.

The visitors' quick recycling of the ball through the phases was a joy to watch for any impartial spectators, and certainly something that Longton are striving to emulate.  Park's strong forwards had the ability to repeatedly rip ball from Longton in the tackle and win turnover ball with excellent counter rucking.  Their backs were able to support one another to continually outflank the home side.

With the score 0-50 at half time, the Referee asked Longton if they wished to end the match, but to their credit they chose to keep playing.  The second half saw a much better Longton performance with some excellent rucking and some good invdividual breaks - notably from Dan in the Centre and from Aidan at Stand-Off.  But all too often the Longton runners were isolated with a lack of support presenting counter attack opportunities to the Park side to exploit.

In the last 15 minutes Longton rallied and were matching the visitors.  But it was a case of too little too late.

The Coaches are proud of the commitment and effort show by the Longton players, with special mention going to captain Dale Protheroe, who led by example from No. 8, and is showing a maturity and passion that will stand him in good stead at Longton - with a first team spot surely being predicted for the future.