Brave Blacksticks Bowl finalists

There were several sides present from around the district representing ages from under 13s to under 16s.
Rossendale Under 13’s were due to play Ormskirk in the Blacksticks Bowl final and the match kicked off promptly at 11.15am.Team Manager Sue Hopkinson ensured all the preliminaries were in place and Rossendale captain Haig Haworth marshalled his troops as Ormskirk took the kick off. The ball swirled in the sea breeze and bounced awkwardly making it hard for Rossendale to secure possession allowing the Ormskirk forwards a chance to arrive in numbers and their big players to force Dale off the ball, they crashed through the defence, despite brave tackling from Tyler Johnson and Joe Starkie, to score on their left wing.
Rossendale kicked off and were awarded a scrum from a knock on. The Young Bucks set piece has been working well all season thanks to some additional coaching help from young Jack Robbins. Today was no exception, as despite being up against bigger opposition the scrum stood firm. Front row Nuri Stoner; Cai Roberts and Reece Howarth, were impressive and quick ball to scrum half Josh Beeken presented Dale with their first opportunity to run the ball as fly half Bradley Watts fed to Noah Taylor who took the ball into contact. The Ormskirk defence was quick to the breakdown however and turned over possession setting off themselves down their right side until a combination of Fin Wilby and Rowan Hopkinson bundled their winger into touch.
Ormskirk had the advantage of height at the lineout and used it well to disrupt Rossendales throw in and as both sides juggled with the ball it eventually dropped to the ground and was fly hacked down the pitch towards Dale’s line, Ormskirk won the chase, picked up and took it over the line.
The first half progressed with both sides battling fiercely for territory and possession, Ormskirks size and strength (Jack Black in Gullivers Travels springs to mind) gradually tipping the balance in their favour and rewarding them with more tries and a commanding first half lead against the Rossendale Lilliputians.
Rossendale U13’s have always been a resilient side and regardless of the score line their heads never go down. As the second half got underway they continued to battle hard pressuring the Ormskirk defence, Elliot Newell was fierce around the rucks, both he and Will Whinton hitting hard to win and keep possession. Ormskirk were forced to concede a string of penalties ever closer to their 22. When they came in range of the posts, coach Paul Beeken called on Rowan Hopkinson to step up and he hit the target with a well taken penalty to put Rossendale’s first points on the board.
The Young Bucks kept up the pressure, Noah Taylor and Tyler Johnson ably supported by Nathan Wells, ensuring their opposition had to fight hard for territory whilst Ethan Heap and John Wayne pounced on any loose ball to maintain possession. Dan Dunham contributed with his fearless brand of tackling but a knock to the head meant he was forced to leave the pitch with suspected concussion. (We were pleased to hear that he is now back at home fit and well).
Nathan Waddington stepped into the scrum half position continuing with the speedy distribution of the ball from the set piece and rucks leading to Ormskirk to stray offside and Rossendale were awarded a penalty 30 yards out. Rowan Hopkinson’s shot at the 3 points fell agonisingly short but Ormskirk were unable to field the ball cleanly and knocked on. The scrummage held firm with the ensuing five metre scrum to Dale and Nuri Stoner now playing at No.8 due to injuries picked up from the base and powered his way through several defenders, to score under the posts, Rowan Hopkinson added two more points.
Ormskirk fought back to re-assert their lead (with Gulliver taking to the field again) but the Dale still had plenty of fight left finding space and attacking wherever possible. Ieuan Dwyfor-Jones almost broke down the left wing, it seemed he would be tackled but he dropped his shoulder and the large defender bounced off him but he was slowed sufficiently and tackled by the final line of defence.

The result was never really in doubt after the first half but once again Rossendale Under 13’s impressed everybody with their spirit and sportsmanship and once again had conceded no penalties throughout the entire match, proving that the hard work at training and knowledge of the Laws of Rugby will stand them in good stead for the future. Congratulations to all the boys and coaches in reaching the final and making us all proud.