Match Report
Burnage 29 Firwood Waterloo 21
Inevitably there were many changes in the lineup for this first competitive match of the season.
Although the front row was the same as last season, following the move of the two Sams to
Lymm, the second row featured new boys Archie Kennedy and Allan Tyler both making their
first team debut for the club. This seasons new head coach Neil Ryan, who some of you may
remember from his playing days at the club, has decided to appoint Yousef Idris and James
Ratcliffe as co-captains. Yousef started at number eight with Danny Lewis and Robbie Edginton
at wing forward. The usual half backs of Carl Strickson and James Ratcliffe were in place, the
three quarters were made up of three returnees in the shape of Joe Bradford, Jonny Roberts
and Connor Wolfenden. Joe Stewart was at full back and Jacob Allen in his usual place on the
wing.
Playing on the narrow plastic pitch at Burnage is never easy. In the first twenty minutes both
sides limited themselves to driving the ball up field, good for tackling practice but not over
entertaining. However following a kick up field from Waterloo which Burnage had difficulty
dealing with the Green Boys were awarded a scrum near the opposition’s line. The scrum held
firm, the ball moved quickly to Ratty who scored a perfect fly-half try to open the scoring.
Unfortunately the lead was short-lived. Waterloo failed to secure the ball from the kick-off and
Burnage forwards ploughed over for their score to make it 7-5. As the first half progressed both
sides then exchanged penalties following infringements at the ruck so, the teams went in half
time at 10-8.
Burnage began the second half with great intent with strong direct running by both their
forwards and backs which put Waterloo under great pressure and eventually lead to them
increasing their lead to 17-8. A penalty from Ratty reduced this lead to 17-11, when from the
restart the Burnage winger tackled Archie Kennedy a good two seconds before the ball landed
in his arms. He was correctly sent to the sin-bin for his efforts. Waterloo took advantage of their
superior numbers with what was the try of the match. Joe Stuart caught a kick ahead just
outside his own twenty two, raced up field side stepping past several of the opposition before
releasing the ball to Connor who sped over for his first try of the season, and restore the
Waterloo lead at 17-18. The larger Burnage pack began to assert the dominance at both the
scrum and line-out. As a result following the loss of a ball at our own put-in Burnage scored
again to retake the lead 24-18. The Green Boys kept to their task and managed to keep the play
in the Burnage half of the pitch. Pressure resulted in another penalty for the away side, which
Ratty duly converted to make it 24-21 when with only minutes to go Waterloo were awarded
yet another penalty. As this was a cup match, if the score had been tied Waterloo would have
been awarded the victory as the away side. Unfortunately Ratty’s kick just shaved the outside
of the post and it was not to be. In the dying seconds Burnage scored again so the final score of
29-21 was probably slightly flattering to them.
Despite this loss there was much to take encouragement from this performance. The
youngsters in the side all played well. The side will be strengthened by the return of some more
experienced players who were unavailable on the day and together the presence of returnees,
Joe Bradford, Jonny Roberts and Wolfy, we have the potential to build of a strong team in what
will be a very competitive league.
Jeremy Swinson.
