| HFH U16's Season 2009/10 (From January 2010 Onwards) |
10 Jan 10, Portico v's Halton F H [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Quarter Final] CANCELLED
17 Jan 10, Blackbrook v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - First Round] CANCELLED
24 Jan 10, Blackbrook v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - First Round]
31 Jan 10, Halton F H v's Newsome Panthers [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Second Round]
07 Feb10, Halton F H v's Newsome Panthers [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Second Round]
14 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round] POSTPONED
21 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round] CANCELLED
28 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round]
07 Mar 10, Halton F H v's Hunslet Parkside [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Quarter Finals]
14 Mar 10, Porico Vine v's Halton F H [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Quarter Final]
17 Mar 10, Wigan St Patricks v's Halton F H or Portico [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Semi Final]
21 Mar 10, West Hull v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Semi Final]
28 Mar 10, Halton F H v's Portico Vine
10 Jan 10, Portico v's Halton F H [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Quarter Final] CANCELLED
THE EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NORTH WEST COUNTIES CUP - Quarter Finals.
12:15pm KICK-OFF.
C A N C E L L E D - Snow covered and frozen pitch.
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17 Jan 10, Blackbrook v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - First Round] CANCELLED
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - First Round.
11:30am KICK-OFF.
C A N C E L L E D - Snow covered and frozen pitch.
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24 Jan 10, Blackbrook v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - First Round]
Originally scheduled for the THE EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NORTH WEST COUNTIES CUP COMPETITION - Semi Finals but due to a run of cancelled games now playing....
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - First Round.
12:15pm KICK-OFF.
National Cup - 1st Round
The HFH U16’s last involvement in the National Cup two years ago saw the Hornets lift the trophy and they began their quest for further success with a comfortable win against their St Helens neighbours Blackbrook Royals.
On a damp day and playing on a pitch unsuitable for U16’s rugby, the Hornets scored on their first set of six tackles. Blackbrook had kicked on their last tackle but the ball rebounded back towards their own line and Hornets were only 15 yards from the line. The ball quickly went left where Mark Percival went over wide out. Andrew Sheridan landed a magnificent touchline conversion and the Hornets had the perfect start.
The next ten minutes saw the Hornets dominate territory and possession but despite punching holes in the home defence, with Percival prominent, they failed to capitalise on their good play. However, they forced a knock-on, leaving the home side defending only 20 yards from their line and the ball was moved swiftly right where Jon Rigby just managed to ground the ball in the corner. Three minutes later, a lovely break by Lewis Hulme split the home defence wide open and two tackles later Jack Owens went over for the Hornets third try. With Sheridan slotting over the extras, the Hornets had a 16 point lead and already a place in the next round.
Blackbrook then made their first excursion into the Hornets 25 but the Hornets strong defence would not let them through and Hornets then moved quickly downfield to score their fourth try of the half. Blackbrook were guilty of a professional foul which saw them go down to 12 men for ten minutes and from the penalty the ball went to Will Hughes who strolled over in the left hand corner, which Sheridan converted to make the score at the interval 00 - 22.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with the Hornets in command. After four minutes they broke from deep and Dominic Speakman scored a great individual try when he ran 50 yards up the touchline avoiding several despairing tacklers.
Three minutes later, the ball went left and then right where Sheridan put in Keiran Butterworth for the sixth try of the match. Blackbrook then put a bit of pressure on the Hornets defence but the Hornets players were determined not to concede any points and a high kick on the last tackle was easily diffused.
The Hornets forwards, with Jack Buck in outstanding form, then made excellent yards to put the home side on the back foot and on the last tackle, Jack Owens put in a lovely cross kick which Speakman palmed onto Luke Jones who squeezed over.
The game then threatened to boil over but Hornets had the final word when a Blackbrook attack saw a stray pass knocked in the air by Sheridan, who then collected the ball to race 70yds for a fine interception try to end the scoring.
Having not played for six weeks this was a game which the Hornets badly needed. Next week, in the second round, they face much tougher opposition when they play the Huddersfield based side, Newsome Panthers, who could well provide the biggest test of the season to date.
Another committed performance will be required to see Hornets progress and keep their hopes of a treble alive.
Tries Scored:
Owens, Butterworth, Hughes, Sheridan, Percival, Rigby, Jones and Speakman - All 1 each
Goals:
Sheridan - 3
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Buck, Ball and Speakman
Final Score:
BLACKBROOK (U16’s) 00 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 38
Team:
Jack Owens, Keiran Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Mark Percival, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Jack Buck, Andrew Wainwright, Jon Rigby, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Aaron Leong, Luke Jones.
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31 Jan 10, Halton F H v's Newsome Panthers [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Second Round]
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Second Round
11:45am KICK-OFF.
C A N C E L L E D - Frozen pitch.
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07 Feb10, Halton F H v's Newsome Panthers [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Second Round]
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Second Round
11:45am KICK-OFF.
The challenge that the National Cup brings is that teams play opposition from different counties who they know nothing about. Therefore, it was with some trepidation that the HFH U16’s faced Newsome Panthers from Huddersfield, who play in the competitive Yorkshire Combination. However, they need not have worried as the Hornets turned in an excellent all round performance to progress into the Third Round.
The home side started confidently and immediately forced Panthers onto the back foot. A Tom Gilmore up and under caused panic and after being tackled behind the try line, Newsome were forced to drop out. But the Hornets could not capitalise on the situation, which allowed the Panthers to settle down, with the next eight minutes seeing both teams strive hard to break down each other’s tough tackling defences.
A knock on fifty yards out by Panthers, handed the ball to the Hornets and they spread the ball from right then left, where Jon Rigby, playing in the centre for the injured Mark Percival, put in Will Hughes for the opening score. Andrew Sheridan converted from the touchline and the Hornets had got the start they wanted.
From the restart, the Hornets quickly moved the ball left and Rigby made a great fifty yard break but instead of putting Hughes in again, he went to the right and the move broke down. Tigerish tackling by the Hornets forced another knock-on only fifteen yards out and from the resulting scrum, Rigby thought he had scored but the referee ruled that he had been tackled on his back.
Nevertheless, there was to be no respite for Panthers as further pressure saw the industrious Dominic Speakman go over to make it 10 - 00. Three minutes later, the Panthers winger dropped a Gilmore high kick and Rigby, who had chased the kick, was on hand to scoop up the ball and go over. Sheridan added the extras and with seventeen minutes gone the Hornets were 16 points up.
The Hornets continued to pressurise the Yorkshire team and another Gilmore kick, chased by an eager back line, forced another drop out but this time the Hornets couldn’t get over the line. Six minutes before the break, a case of mistaken identity saw Speakman sin binned for ten minutes but this didn’t seem to bother the Hornets too much and there was no further score in the half.
The first half performance from the Hornets had been impressive with forwards Buck, Wainwright, Ball, Whitty and Speakman getting through plenty of work. In the backs, Gilmore’s kicks were creating problems and strong running from Rigby and Owens made valuable yards every time they got the ball.
Whilst the game appeared won, it was important that the Hornets maintained their composure and sure enough they started the second half in great fashion when substitute Percival charged onto a Gilmore pass to put another substitute, Alex Clare, in for a well worked try.
Newsome were now facing a Hornet’s onslaught and yet another Gilmore kick saw the ball fumbled. Sheridan picked the ball up and the supporting Wainwright went over for Hornets’ fifth try. The conversion made it 26 – 00 and five minutes later, Jack Owens, who was again in impressive form, made a lovely break to put Sheridan in at the corner and it was now 30 – 00.
Although Rigby was forced off with an arm injury, Hornets continued to attack at will, and Gilmore raced through a gap to put Sheridan in for his second, and another touchline kick saw the lead extend to 36 points.
With five minutes left, good work by Owens saw Hughes score his second and the game then petered out and the Hornets were safely into the Third Round.
This was a good performance which will send out a message to other teams in this competition that the Hornets mean business but they face a tough challenge away to Featherstone Lions in the next round.
The HFH U16’s will need to produce a similar performance as today, to ensure that they progress.
Tries Scored:
Hughes and Sheridan – 2 each
Rigby, Speakman, Wainwright and Clare – 1 each
Goals:
Sheridan - 4
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Ball, Speakman, Buck and Sheridan
Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS 40 (U16’s) verses NEWSOME PANTHERS (U16’s) 00
Team:
Jack Owens, Keiran Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Jon Rigby, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Aaron Leong, Andrew Wainwright, Jack Buck, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Mark Percival, Alex Clare
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14 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round] POSTPONED
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Third Round
P O S T P O N E D.
To be played Sunday 21st February 2010.
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21 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round] CANCELLED
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Third Round
C A N C E L L E D.
To be played Sunday 28th February 2010.
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28 Feb 10, Featherstone Lions v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Third Round]
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Third Round
The HFH U16’s travelled to the Yorkshire Combination’s second placed team and dismissed them with consummate ease to march into the quarter finals of the National Youth Cup.
On a cold breezy day, and on excellent playing surface, the Hornets soon settled into their stride but the home side defended strongly and there was no doubt that this was going to be a keenly contested game. On five minutes, a penalty for offside put the Hornets in a good position and on the last tackle a lovely little kick by Tom Gilmore was swooped upon by Dominic Speakman for the opening try. Andrew Sheridan added the simple conversion and the Hornets had got that all important early lead.
The Hornets were energized by this score and were immediately on the attack again. Featherstone’s discipline was already being questioned by the referee and an off the ball tackle gave Hornets another penalty. Pressure on the line looked like producing nothing until Jack Owens raced onto a beautiful inside ball from Speakman to score under the posts. Another conversion made it 00 -12 and the Hornets were in total control with the home side finding it difficult to break out of their own half.
Gilmore’s long kicks were forcing them back and good forward play with the ball then being passed along the three quarter line meant that the Hornets were a joy to watch.
Featherstone then had their best spell but no matter how hard they tried, the Hornets defence was solid. The referee was beginning to lose his patience with the home side and following a penalty for a swinging arm, he placed them on a final warning. The Hornets decided to take the two points on offer and Sheridan made it 00 - 14.
Clearly rattled, Featherstone restarted the game by kicking out on the full and this only served to give the Hornets another attacking opportunity, and good hands to the right saw Sheridan beat his man to go over wide out for his 21st try of the season. This time he couldn’t add the extras but 18 points in 21 minutes had put the Hornets in what seemed like a winning position.
Hornets then knocked on to give Featherstone a chance but they could not break the strong tackling Hornets and a kick on the last tackle went dead. The Hornets again produced another flowing movement and Will Hughes was unfortunate not to score as he lost the ball over the line just before the half time break.
The second half started with the Hornets conceding a couple of penalties but Featherstone spilled the ball and Hornets broke away down the right where Sheridan and Kieran Butterworth took the ball close to the line. The ball was then moved left and Hughes was denied once again as he just failed to ground the ball properly.
Whether it was complacency with a big lead but the Hornets seemed to relax and Featherstone had good spells of pressure but magnificent defence from every player left the home side scoreless. The Hornets again moved swiftly down field and after a good break by Sheridan, which saw him tackled just short of the line, Featherstone found themselves a man down after Sheridan was punched off the ball and the referee brandished a yellow card which so easily could have been red. From the resulting penalty, Lewis Whitty was held up over the line but with three quarters of the game gone there had been no further points since the 21st minute.
The Hornets were now also beginning to fall foul of the referee and a couple of penalties saw sustained pressure on the Hornets line. Clever offloading in the tackle gave the home side their best chance of the game which they took to score under the posts to reduce the deficit by six points - the first points that the Hornets had conceded in this competition.
Featherstone then sensed they may be able to get something out of the game and pounded away at the Hornets line. Jack Buck, who was having a great game, was penalised for a high tackle and he was dispatched to the sin bin which left the Hornets hanging on. Featherstone were held up over the line and a kick on the last tackle saw the ball just trickle over the dead ball line.
What the Hornets now needed was to clear their own lines and a magnificent sixty yard break by Lewis Whitty did just that. From the play the ball, the Hornets went right and Kieran Butterworth scored in the corner for a try which finished off the home team’s resistance. Gilmore just failed with the touchline conversion but there was still time for another Hornets attack as the home side conceded more penalties and saw another player sent to the sin bin. From close to the line, Steven Ball went over for a trademark try and Sheridan converted to complete the scoring.
This was an impressive, disciplined performance by the Hornets who want to repeat their cup winning exploits of 2008.
All the forwards tackled their hearts out with Alex Clare top of the tackle count with 21, but this was a day when everyone played their part. The Hornets have sent a message to all the teams left in the competition that they want to appear in another final and it will take a good team to beat them.
Tries Scored:
Dominic Speakman, Jack Owens, Andrew Sheridan, Kieran Butterworth and Steven Ball – All 1 each
Goals:
Sheridan - 4
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Clare, Ball, Buck and Gilmore.
Final Score:
FEATHERSTONE LIONS (U16’s) 06 verse HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 28
Team:
Jack Owens, Kieran Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Jon Rigby, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Jack Buck, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Luke Jones
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07 Mar 10, Halton F H v's Hunslet Parkside [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Quarter Finals]
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Quarter Finals
11:30am KICK-OFF.
The HFH U16’s progressed to the Semi Finals by knocking out their third Yorkshire team, and in the process, overcame a growing injury list which saw them play with only 12 men from the eighth minute.
Hunslet Parkside, a Club at which legends Gary Schofield and Jason Robinson played their junior rugby, were soon under pressure as the home side had two sets of six but despite getting close to the line they couldn’t force their way over.
However, it didn’t take them long to get the scoreboard ticking along when play went right and then left, where Andrew Wainwright put Andrew Sheridan in wide out. Sheridan couldn’t convert but the Hornets had managed once again to get the early score which is so all important.
Two minutes later, a drive by Alex Clare saw him suffer what seemed like a serious leg injury and play was held up for five minutes while he was treated and eventually carried from the field. This meant that Hornets had to play the next fifty two minutes with only 12 men, and with Jack Buck needing treatment only a minute later, there was a possibility of a cup shock.
But the Hornets regrouped immediately and Tom Gilmore, who had an influential game, made a twenty yard break before offloading to Winger Will Hughes, who scored in the corner. Sheridan landed the touchline conversion and Hornets were 10 - 00 up.
Hunslet then made a rare foray into the home half but the Hornets quickly recovered a spilt ball and Wainwright raced away from sixty yards, expertly using Sheridan as a foil, to go inside the Hunslet Full Back for a great try. Sheridan added the extras.
The Hunslet side must have felt as though they were playing 14 men not 12, as the Hornets began to produce some good attacking rugby. Gilmore ensured that Hunslet were penned deep in their own half, with a tremendous kick to the try line but although Hunslet managed to clear their line, the Hornets were soon on the offensive and Gilmore’s sleight of hand saw Jack Owens race onto his pass for a lovely try to make it 20 - 00.
Despite being on the receiving end of some great rugby, Hunslet refused to throw in the towel and after twenty three minutes they had their first spell of pressure in the Hornets 25, but having only conceded six points in this competition, the Hornets were in no mood to let Hunslet score and a great defence kept them out.
Another booming kick by Gilmore saw the Hunslet Fullback turned round to then find himself faced by four Hornets players who then forced him over his own line for a drop out under the posts. From the restart, the Hornets attacked at pace and Owens burst through a gap and produced a lovely offload for Gilmore to touchdown. Sheridan converted and at the half time break, the Hornets led 26 - 00 with 12 men.
What a tremendous first half performance.
The Hornets began the second half in attacking mode and great handling should have resulted in another four pointer, but Hughes was tackled ‘touch in goal’ as the Hunslet defence held firm. Tigerish tackling by the Hornets then forced a knock on 25 yards from the Hunslet line, and the silky skills of Gilmore were at their best as he ghosted past players for an excellent individual try. Another two points from Sheridan made it 32 – 00.
The next thirteen minutes saw the Yorkshire team come more into the game as the 12 men began to tire. Hunslet forced a drop-out but a kick to the corner on the last tackle sailed out on the full and the Hornets made quick yards up-field and Owens was brought down just short of the line.
With ten minutes left, the Hornets moved the ball left and Dominic Speakman, who once again was everywhere, burst down the left wing and found Wainwright who scored his second of the afternoon.
Hunslet then threw caution to the wind as they began to offload at will to produce their best rugby of the game but they could not break a solid defence, in which Lewis Whitty, Jack Buck and Steven Ball were outstanding.
The Hornets still had time to play some entertaining stuff, however in trying to force the ball on every occasion, errors occurred but with such a big lead it didn’t matter as the Hornets progressed into the Semi Finals of the X-Blades National Youth Cup.
Missing Percival, Butterworth, Leong, O’Brien and Crooks before the game meant the Hornets were under pressure from the start, but the news that Alex Clare had suffered a fractured ankle, put a damper on what was a great result.
The HFH U16’s must hope that they will have some players back soon, as they face important League and Cup Games in the next few weeks.
Tries:
Gilmore and Wainwright – 2 each
Sheridan, Owens and Hughes – All 1 each
Goals:
Andrew Sheridan - 4
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Whitty, Buck, Ball and Speakman.
Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 36 verses HUNSLET PARKSIDE (U16’s) 00
Team:
Jack Owens, Luke Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Jon Rigby, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Jack Buck, Andrew Wainwright, Alex Clare, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
No Subs
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14 Mar 10, Porico Vine v's Halton F H [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Quarter Final]
THE EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NORTH WEST COUNTIES CUP - Quarter Finals.
11:45am KICK-OFF.
This may have been the HFF U16’s first defeat of the season but there was no shame in this loss as they battled away with just 13 players and only lost the game in the last five minutes.
These two teams are generally regarded as the best in the country at U16’s and a tough close game was anticipated. The Hornets got off to a positive start as Luke Jones was tackled just short of the line after enterprising play. Just a minute later Portico lost the ball in the face of some strong Hornets tackling and Keiran Butterworth, who had moved inside off the wing, swooped to collect and race the thirty yards to the line to give Andrew Sheridan an easy conversion.
This sparked the home team into life and they pinned the Hornets in their own half. Tom Gilmore couldn’t get a kick away on the last tackle and the Hornets defence had to work overtime to keep Portico out. A drop out was forced and a further set of six ended when Dominic Speakman hacked the ball dead and another drop out ensued. Portico knocked on to relieve the pressure and the Hornets managed to get into the Portico half and a long kick downfield rolled agonisingly out of play.
After twenty minutes, good passing by the Hornets came to an abrupt end when they knocked on and Portico powered into the Hornets half where last ditch tackling saw the Portico Prop Forward held up over the line. Three minutes before the break, Speakman lost the ball in the tackle just fifteen yards out from his own line and Portico shifted the ball left. Sheridan appeared to have hold of the centre but he managed to get out of the tackle to put the ball over the line in the corner. A magnificent touchline conversion went over and the half time score was 06 - 06.
Under the circumstances, this had been a fantastic first half performance and the Hornets now faced going down the slope in the second half with the strong wind to their advantage. Gilmore used this straight away to force Portico back but the ball drifted over the line once again.
Good play on the right saw Sheridan put Jones away but he was brought down just short. Another kick, this time by Speakman, sailed over the dead ball line as the Hornets put immense pressure on the home line. Portico then lost the ball thirty five yards out, and following a grapple tackle in front of the posts on Gilmore, Sheridan kicked the penalty to edge the Hornets into the lead at 06 - 08.
Missing tackling machines Alex Clare and Second Rower Andy Wainwright, the other Hornets players took on the responsibility. Jack Buck never took a backwards step and Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball and Tom Gilmore tackled everything that moved. But the big physical Portico side began to slowly wear the Hornets down.
Another drop out was forced which, with the aid of the wind, Gilmore sent eighty yards towards the Portico line but the tiring Hornets defence couldn’t stop the incessant drives of the Portico forwards, who were forcing their way up field. After twelve minutes, a scrum twenty yards out saw Portico score a fine individual try in the corner to edge them into a two point lead at 10 – 08, and it looked as though the Hornets players ‘backs to the wall’ effort wasn’t going to be enough.
However, the Hornets had not given up.
A high tackle on Butterworth resulted in a penalty to enable them to gain some yards and the tireless Jon Rigby was the victim of a swinging arm and from thirty yards out, Sheridan levelled the scores at 10 - 10.
With ten minutes left, it seemed as though the game might go to extra time and as Portico neared the Hornets Line they lost the ball and Sheridan raced away to make a valuable fifty yards field gain. The play was taken to in front of the posts where Speakman calmly slotted over the one pointer - could the Hornets hold on for a famous victory?
Unfortunately, the answer to that came straight from the kick off when a high swirling ball was palmed into touch by the Hornets and this gave Portico an immediate chance which they took to make it 14 - 11.
The Hornets then tried to throw the ball about, even in front of their own posts, but a forward pass gave Portico another opportunity but they knocked on with the line begging. However it didn’t matter as the referee blew the final whistle on what had been a tremendous tussle.
These two teams are still battling it out for the league title and if they win their respective games in the semi finals of the National Cup next weekend, they will meet again in the final.
The final run-in promises to be nail-biting!
Tries:
Butterworth - 1
Goals:
Andrew Sheridan - 3
Drop Goal:
Speakman - 1
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Whitty, Buck, Ball and Gilmore
Final Score:
PORTICO VINE (U16’s) 14 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 11
Team:
Jack Owens, Luke Jones, Andrew Sheridan, Will Hughes, Keiron Butterworth, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Jack Buck, Andy Crooks, Jon Rigby, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
No Subs
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17 Mar 10, Wigan St Patricks v's Halton F H or Portico [ EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NWC CUP - Semi Final]
THE EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY NORTH WEST COUNTIES CUP - Semi Finals.
7:30pm KICK-OFF.
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21 Mar 10, West Hull v's Halton F H [X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP - Semi Final]
THE X-BLADES BARLA NATIONAL YOUTH CUP COMPETITION - Semi Final
2:00pm KICK-OFF
(The other Semi Final to be played today is Hunslet Warriors v's Portico Vine)
Despite a magnificent fight back in the last ten minutes, the Hornets crashed out of their second cup competition in two weeks. They welcomed back Mark Percival and Ryan O’Brien after lengthy layoffs and despite having two sets of six in the opening minutes they could not make any ground against a determined home side. In fact, they found themselves pinned inside their own half as West Hull capitalised on the Hornets handling errors and although they had already dispatched three Yorkshire teams from this competition, it was already clear this was going to be a much more difficult proposition.
Only the long kicks of Tom Gilmore was forcing West Hull into their own half but the usual strong tackling of the Hornets was not as effective as normal, as the home side made easy yards back up field. A good West Hull move looked to have opened up the Hornets but they were penalised for crossing and then on thirteen minutes, they were held up over the line as the Hornets desperately tried to stop the wave after wave of home attacks. But from the drop out West Hull moved the ball left and a high kick down the Hornets right saw the home winger rise and collect the ball to go over in the corner.
A great kick off by Gilmore found touch only ten yards from the try line, to give the Hornets their first attacking position but a Dominic Speakman kick on the last tackle found a West Hull player, and then Jon Rigby was penalised for a high tackle to enable the home team to clear their lines.
Percival’s comeback was then cut short as his shoulder problem reoccurred and he played no further part in the game. However, two minutes later, on the last tackle, the Hornets had another chance which they did not waste, and quick passing along the line saw Keiran Butterworth go over in the corner. The touchline conversion from Andrew Sheridan made the scores 04 - 06 to the Hornets who then started to put some pressure on West Hull but strong defence thwarted them plus the usual fluent attack was just not getting out of second gear.
A penalty for holding down saw West Hull near the Hornets line again and despite being tackled just short, a long arm reached out to place the ball over the line for West Hull’s second try. The conversion attempt hit the posts but there was to be no respite for the Hornets as West Hull went left again and a lovely kick split the defence for their third try just before the break. Once again, the conversion attempt hit the upright and Hornets were somewhat lucky to be going into the half time break only 12 - 06 down.
The second half didn’t start much better for the Hornets as the home team were soon on the attack but the Hornets slowly made their way towards the half way line and on the last, a Gilmore chip and collect saw Speakman just fail to collect the pass. The Hornets attacked again after a rare home error just twenty two yards out but poor passing saw the HFH U16’s lose the ball and the chance was lost.
Gilmore then had to leave the field temporarily with an arm injury, and the next West Hull attack saw them score once again wide out to give them a 16 - 06 lead, which looked unassailable the way they had been playing.
West Hull then broke from deep but an O’Brien tackle halted the attack and it was then the Hornets turn to show what they could do. A Speakman kick went dead and then good handling, followed by a grubber kick, saw Sheridan touch down but an unsighted referee ruled that the ball had been knocked on and four points had gone begging. From the twenty five yard tap, West Hull knocked on and within three tackles, Lewis Whitty, who had a magnificent game, rampaged over to cut the deficit to six points. Sheridan’s conversion went surprisingly wide but was the fight back now on?
From the kick off, the Hornets gifted the ball back to West Hull and once again they took full advantage to score wide out and with a great touchline conversion. It was now 22 - 10 with ten minutes left and the game appeared all over for the Hornets. However, they are a champion team and were not prepared to go out of the cup without a fight and so; they began to play with the authority to which has seen them win so many games this season.
An exciting passing move through eight pairs of hands came to nothing, and then a Lewis Hulme charge down saw the pass to Jon Rigby knocked on. But still, they went forward and when a try from captain Speakman, five minutes from time was converted, there was a chance that victory could be grabbed from the jaws of defeat and you could sense that the home side were becoming nervous as the seconds ticked away.
Suddenly, the Hornets were the ones making the easy yards and with just two minutes to go, Jack Owens scored leaving a difficult kick against the breeze to level the scores. Unfortunately, Sheridan couldn’t add the extras and the last moments of the game were played out with Hornets desperate to score again but it was too late and West Hull rejoiced as the final whistle went.
There is no doubt that on the day the best team won and had the Hornets played the rest of the game with the same vigour that they showed in the last ten minutes, then the result may have been different. But once again the overriding factor has been the loss of important players at the business end of the season and the squad must now regroup to ensure that they win their third successive league title so that their great efforts are rewarded.
Tries:
Butterworth, Whitty, Speakman and Owens – 1 each
Goals:
Andrew Sheridan - 2
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Whitty, Hulme, Ball and Speakman.
Final Score:
WEST HULL (U16’s) 22 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 20
Team:
Jack Owens, Keiran Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Mark Percival, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Ryan O’Brien, Jack Buck, Jon Rigby, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
Andrew Crooks, Luke Jones
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28 Mar 10, Halton F H v's Portico Vine
11:45am KICK-OFF
A third defeat in a row but the HFH U16’s found themselves Premier League Champions for a third consecutive season which is a fantastic achievement.
Hornets started the game believing that they had to get one point from their last two league games but they started disastrously when the Portico kick off was knocked on only fifteen yards from the try line. Fortunately, Portico couldn’t take advantage and after a penalty for holding down, the Hornets opened the scoring. Captain Dominic Speakman made a break twenty Yards out and Jack Owens, supporting from Fullback, took the pass to go over. Andrew Sheridan just failed with the touchline conversion but the Hornets had the early score that they wanted.
However, the next nine minutes showed what an excellent side Portico have become with an impressive display of attacking rugby that yielded eighteen unanswered points.
First, a towering up and under, wasn’t gathered cleanly by the Hornets defence and Portico swung the ball right to score wide out. A brilliant touchline conversion gave them a two point lead. Two minutes later, a sweeping move down the right saw Portico only yards from the try line but they quickly moved the ball infield and scored another try near the posts to make it 04 - 12. Not content with that, they once again ripped Hornets apart to score another try wide out and yet again, the conversion caused no problems as it sailed between the uprights to give Portico a lead of 04 - 18 after only twelve minutes.
The Hornets were extremely proud of only conceding an average of six points a game this season and therefore were shell-shocked to find themselves on the end of some great attacking rugby and there seemed no way back. Nevertheless, Portico began to lose their discipline and this allowed the Hornets back into the game. After conceding a penalty on the half way line with twenty three minutes gone, The Hornets found themselves within twenty five yards of the try line. Tom Gilmore then jinked one way, and then the other, to score a fine individual try and with Sheridan’s conversion, the gap was now only eight points.
Portico, clearly rattled, kicked off and the ball went out on the full to give the Hornets another penalty. Within the next set of six tackles, the ball went left and Jon Rigby found Will Hughes who somehow squeezed in at the corner. Sheridan again was agonisingly just wide with the conversion but the Hornets were now within four points of the opposition, which had seemed unlikely, fifteen minutes earlier.
The Portico Hooker, who had already been warned on two previous occasions for high tackling, then found himself in the sin-bin following another indiscretion, but in the three minutes left before the break, the Hornets could not take advantage and at half time, the score was 14 - 18 in Portico’s favour.
The Hornets started the second half well and a Keiran Butterworth break put Portico on the back foot. Despite a good set of six, the attack came to nothing but at least the home side were showing a great deal more urgency than they had done in the first half. However it was now the Hornets turn to fall foul of the referee and three quick penalties put Portico in a good position but poor handling let them down.
The Hornets made their way back into the Portico half, and a high kick by Gilmore was collected superbly by the kicker, and the ball was then flung left where Andrew Wainwright collected to charge over. Once again, Sheridan’s touchline conversion was just short but the scores were now level at 18 points apiece.
Back to thirteen men, Portico regrouped and began to make their way into the Hornets half and they forced a repeat set of six only to pass the ball into touch on the first tackle. The Hornets then made good yards and on the last tackle a poor kick went dead but the Hornets found themselves with the ball again after Portico immediately knocked on, but the Hornets could not take advantage as the team from St Helens defended resolutely.
With ten minutes to go, the first flowing attack of the half by Portico saw them score a try down the Hornets right wing as good inter-passing opened up the defence. Yet another touchline conversion made it 18 - 24 and once again the Hornets had it all to do.
The Hornets then attacked, knowing that time was running out, and a lucky ricochet off Wainwright’s boot saw Ryan O’Brien pass to Sheridan who was brought down just inches short of the line. Rigby was then tackled out wide on the left with the try line only yards away but Portico held out to inflict their second win in three weeks over Hornets.
Dejection turned to joy when the Hornets found out that based on the ‘head-to-head’ matches with Portico, their 06 - 22 win in St Helens, in October, meant that they had won the league for an impressive third year.
There is no doubt that there was a feel of ‘the changing of the guard’ as Portico produced the kind of rugby that the Hornets had not experienced before but the fight back from 04 - 18 down was to be admired. In the end, conceding too many points early on in the game was the reason for the defeat.
This team has been magnificent over the past few years and the title triumph was extremely well deserved. Credit must go not only to the players but also to the coaching duo of Paul Hulme and John Crooks, who have moulded them into a formidable outfit.
Well done Halton Farnworth Hornets U16’s – Champions once again.
Tries:
Owens, Gilmore, Wainwright and Hughes – All 1 each
Goals:
Andrew Sheridan - 1
Awards:
Top Tacklers: Whitty, Buck, Ball and Speakman
Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U16’s) 18 verses PORTICO VINE (U16’s) 24
Team:
Jack Owens, Keiran Butterworth, Andrew Sheridan, Jon Rigby, Will Hughes, Tom Gilmore, Lewis Hulme, Lewis Whitty, Steven Ball, Ryan O’Brien, Jack Buck, Andy Crooks, Dominic Speakman
Substitutes:
Andrew Wainwright, Luke Jones
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