Year 7 Rugby Report
A long time ago....on a rugby pitch in Lancashire.......Unity College used to get beaten by more experienced opposition, regularly. This did not stop the teams playing and over the past few years they have started to grind out some results against these same opposition. Notably last year our current Year 8& 9 teams produced some good rugby, and are now known for their tough tackling and the respect given to our teams is earned on the pitch. We have never however, ever, had one of those landslide wins. We have been on the other side of some but, on Friday, the new Year 7 team played St. Wilfreds, whom we have never beaten in a Year 7 fixture (the Year 8's came close last year, missing out after conceding a late try).
With the pitch prepared and each player walking into the changing rooms to see their all black Unity College rugby shirts waiting for them, the stage was set. Unfortunately the stage had to wait as St. Wilfs went on a detour to Colne so at 4.30pm, after a very thorough warm up we kicked off, hoping that the weather and the light would give us 40 minutes of playing time.
The first two exchanges were notable, Unity College striking first to go 5 - 0 up. However the St. Wilfreds team, who were strong in the tackle struck back immediately to level at 5 - 5. With a lot of parents watching, there were a few words of warning regarding our tackling and letting the opposition bring the game to us, we picked ourselves up and began to play - Real, flowing rugby! We scrummaged and we rucked really well to create more opportunities than we have ever had. Our players ran straight at and through the opposition again and again. At the close of the first half Unity college were 25 - 5 in the lead.
With this in mind, changes were made to our team, debutants Oliver Walsh and Oscar Reynolds were thrown in to see if they could replace the experienced Max Cudworth and strong runner Macken Slater. Believe me when I say it is no mean feat to be told 'you are playing scrum half' when you have never played or fully know what the responsibilities are in that position. Oscar did really well, Oliver was fearless, Sam Walsh (no relation) took note of Morgan Williams' skills and ran through several tackles.
Our forwards, with Captain Beck Beck giving way for Tyler Canavan secured more ball at the breakdown and James Catlow even combined with Luke Westall to win clean lineout ball. Alex Bolt, Ben Lanarch and Lewis Taylor were instrumental in tackles - Alex even collided with Josef Whitlam early on when they both went for the same tackle. Josef recovered to play in the second half and came back on to complete the devastating scoreline.
Final score, Unity College 50, St. Wilfreds 5. Well done to all the players!
This week the Year 8's have a cup game against Clitheroe Grammar School on Monday and a friendly at St. Wilfreds on Tuesday (therefore there will be no training this week apart from on the astroturf at 6.30pm on Wednesday). Mr.Williams has also offered Blessed Trinity a Year 7 fixture on Thursday, however we are still waiting to see if they will play us.