Sun shines on U13's away at Kirkby Lonsdale

There can't be many more beautiful grounds than Kirkby Lonsdale, in full sun.

After a few days of concern over frozen pitches a relatively small squad of U13's made the trip up the M6 to new opponents (to us) but bringing back memories for some of an U7 tournament there!

With a short warm-up completed it was clear the big KL squad had come to play and set off very smartly to record an early try. The Rossendale boys responded well though and tightened up the defensive line and started to press in the forwards to provide decent attacking ball...and attack we did! Four tries to two up at the first break became ten to three by the end of the second period then a final push in the last twenty minutes got us over the line. However, all the boys were brilliant in victory and commended their opponents as a great team to play with the score not reflecting the intensity or content of the match.

What the score did reflect was the nuances of the game that the boys had tightened up since last week - defensive organisation, line speed, stopping the oppositions wingers, fast clean rucking, recycling the ball, decision making in attack not to give loose passes, support, tactical kicking, straight running from kicks, solid at the back - simply everything. Each player did their job the best they could and that made them all 'man of the match.'

Many thanks to Kirkby for rescheduling this and being generous hosts. Also to parents for making the trip who were rewarded to see such a performance.