Silverware and sunshine on Sunday season finale

Day 2 dawned - now the Lovely Laura on BbC weather was forecasting an apocalyptic day of heavy rain plus extras all day. It looked like she was right as torrential rain in the depth of night tested the resolve of our tents. The more comfortable team mates in " posh pods" felt guilty for a micro second and then went back to sleep......but daylight broke and would you believe it, no rain, sun peaking through and it turned out to be a dry warm sunny day. Well in Laura !
The lads were up for it - Leechy was still tired but we took this as a positive ! The coaches were pacing nervously, the parents were amused.......the lads warmed up ready for match 5 , Watsonian Warriors A , and immediately we were into Champagne moment, arguably for me, of the day and weekend - they were 1 short, and after initially agreeing 6 a side, there was a very sporting arrangement to stick at seven with a loan player turning out for the Scots.At this point Luke Entwistle stepped forward , a great gesture in itself but he then played brilliantly and with typical full on effort, such that we wanted him to score with one of his many positive runs - and was Watsonians star man. Well done Luke, you are a credit to the club and play in the right spirit and always with a smile. Cracking. As for the game, we blew them away with a drive and determination to get in the final two - we never let them rest, the tagging and pressing was relentless. Jason and Dan in particular hit them like a sledgehammer , they were everywhere and we replaced them early in the second half with the job well done. This gave a great opportunity for Tyler and Jamie to stretch out and show what they can do, and it was great to watch both go over for well deserved tries. The end score was a rousing 8-1, Dan with 2 rapid strikes early on, plus 2 apiece from Yi and Leechy completed the scoring but it was an all round quality team effort from all involved.
The final group game was against the stronger Watsonians team, a close encounter the day before with a 4-2 win, and this was quite literally a tough and tightly fought encounter. We were determined to win and space was at a premium throughout, both teams defended resolutely and bravely, lots of accidental clashes in the keenness to tag, and some very dogged and determined tagging from Rossendale. Jason was on fire and fought to defend the line with all he had, we had close calls from Tom Whittaker who bravely took a knock to the head trying to squeeze over, and a string surge from Rowan was bravely blocked by the Warriors defence. Half time approached with the game turning scrappy with little flow when we gained possession 5 yards out. Yi to Dan, head down sprint , push, fall forward, score !! Riot !! Half time, one foot in the final. Gary got everyone pumped to keep them out and although it wasn't pretty, we held firm across the line, all the lads made telling interventions but Jason had the measure of their tall lad from day 1 and we kept them out. We needed a cushion and got it when the Roadrunner ( Leechy for those who haven't read day 1) burst through and left everyone in his wake. Emotion got the better of me on pitch, I think I called him " you beauty " or words to that effect ! Cue final whistle and we are there, top of the table, played 6 won 4 drawn 1, lost 1 , and it's a third match with Liverpool as the big final, nothing between these 2 teams.
The final arrived quickly and immediately it looked like we had peaked too early in the morning matches. Like the other games with Liverpool , they were well organised and denied space everywhere - we knocked on the door and looked for ways round and through - we got close , Yi, Dan, Jason, Leechy, Tom all had great runs but we couldn't force over and make it count. They scored a couple of breakaways, we missed a couple of tags , we just were not as cohesive as in earlier games. Tyler came on and pushed hard, Jack and Luke bravely defended, we rotated in the second half but couldn't get the magic formula and it finished 4-8, Leechy again, Yi, Tom Whittaker and try of the match from Jason in the corner but it wasn't to be. Two good teams, Liverpool deserved it on the day but Rossendale can hold heads high and be proud of the team effort in all games, a fitting conclusion to an excellent season.
Team player of the series went deservedly to Yi , tries, tags, all round contribution excellent as ever., Players player to Tyler Lusty who really came through strongly on day 2 as the tournament progressed.
The team - DJ Stevens , Yi Bissell, Tom Leech, Thomas Whittaker, Luke Entwistle, Rowan Tweedale, Jason Wilkinson, Jamie Boxall, Tyler Lusty, Jack Tracey
Finally, thanks to Gary and Sharon for their dedicated energy and effort to deliver a fantastic weekend for so many folk, and to all parents for patience, support , encouragement and even indulgence of coach " Sir Alex" and the hair dryer.
Looking forward to next year already - you can't miss it !!!!