U16s Vs Colne & Nelson - Semi Final Lancs Junior Challenge Vase

For this semi-final of the Vase Didsbury travelled to deepest Lancashire to play Colne and Nelson.
What would the opposition be like? Strapping lads from farming stock or pale and scrawny offspring of millworkers?
In truth a mixture of the two.
There were certainly some large lads as the travelling support – 5 plus dog! – commented – “ By eck he’s a big ‘un!” Not the normal cultured tones from a denizen of Didsbury but one had to fit in with the natives!
In contrast to recent weeks Didsbury arrived with several substitutes. Unfortunately due to the late arrival of some members of the squad the warm up consisted of a quick run around the pitch and a couple of lineouts. Or in the case of our number 9 a bacon butty!
Would this, added to the slow starts which Didsbury are noted for, work against them?
Not a bit! From the off Didsbury attacked and were soon deep into the Colne half.
Relying, as usual, on their forwards Didsbury put the pressure on and had several set pieces near the Colne line. Perrie, Quinn, Shearer, Langslow, Andrews and Molloy to the fore.
The pressure eventually told and Merrick crossed from close range to open the scoring. The try was not converted .Colne 0 Didsbury 5.
From the kick-off Didsbury attacked again and advanced into to the Colne half.
Despite being outweighed in the scrums Didsbury held their own for most of the time with the front row of Perrie, Camileri and Quinn doing well.
Didsbury had their tails up and with their lineout working well were soon pressing tie Colne line. Forward drives dominated and despite some last-ditch defending from Colne, Andrews forced himself over for the second score. The try was unconverted. Colne 0 Didsbury 10.
Colne rallied and drove deep into the Didsbury half with a good run by their tall centre.
Didsbury were enjoying good possession and won a lot of turnover ball so they began to use tier backs more. Bolton and Taylor making some good runs in the centre.
Colne gave away a penalty in their own 22 which was quickly taken by Andrews. He ball went to Merrick who drew his man and gave an excellent pass to Walsh on the wing. Walsh took the ball at pace and wove his way over the line for a superb try. A good kick from Grogan from a narrow angle made the score. Colne 0 Didsbury 17.
Although Didsbury were on top Colne did not give up but were frustrated by strong Didsbury tacking.
Colne were guilty of giving away too many penalties so their attacks often came to nothing.
Didsbury put the pressure on with good runs from Shearer, Jenkins, Tennant and Langslow and were only prevented from making further progress by good clearing kicks from the Colne number 10.
Eventually Colne did get more possession but solid defence by Didsbury prevented them scoring.
Half-time Colne 0 Didsbury 17.

As the half ended a melee began which involved most of the players. The cause was unclear and it marred a good first half. Fortunately this ill-tempered incident did not spill over into the second half

The second half started well for Didsbury with Molloy and Maxwell making positive runs into the Colne half.
However, Colne responded and good moves combining both forwards and backs saw them drive to within 5 metres of the Didsbury line.
Colne kept up the pressure but the Didsbury defence help firm.
Didsbury eventually broke out of their own half and good runs by Bolton and Ballantine saw them take the game to Colne.
The pressure eventually told and the strong-running Taylor crossed for Didsbury’s third try. With a conversion by Grogan the score was Colne 0 Didsbury 24.
Didsbury continued to dominate with powerful ruins by Mullen and Perrie and some good tactical kicking by Grogan. However, committed defence by Colne denied Didsbury further scores.

Overall a very entertaining game and a well-deserved win for Didsbury.

Credit must go to Colne who never gave up and had they not conceded so many penalties and had some more clean possession may well have been on the score sheet.

Roil on the final at Southport on April the 10th. “Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside…” (or as its Southport the sandside!)