Sat 8 Mar 2025, 15:00
Alice Walker (1987) Confession in Good Night, Willie Lee, I’ll See You In The Morning. The Womans Press; London.
All good days should be bookended with something good, and in-between there should be some high points and low points. Starting the day out on a coach-trip was a rare char-à-banc trip of fun, even though it did not reach the seaside but arrived uneventfully, just off the Old Lancs Road, at the grand old clubhouse of Liverpool St Helens. The other end of the day was dropping off a tipsy President at home, after txting home for, the unspectacled drunk, about supper arrangements. So glad he did not get on the coach back. But maybe he could have turned down the last pint from our guests, and left 30 minutes earlier, it was International Woman’s day after all. Hospitality from that particular man is not easy to turn down.
It is always good to be a welcomed and invited guest, the before game conviviality is always charming. After early exchanges, Matt Thorpe caused problems for the LSH defence with a barnstorming rampage only to have the ball held up over the line. After the 22 drop the welcoming hosts allowed the Wolves backs to create the space for Ryan Snow to go over on the wing. From the kick off the next phase of play set the tone for the rest of the game. LSH drove hard at the Wilmslow defence, with some big units, but they held firm. Maybe it was impatience of LSH, an eager referee, or just good timing from Wilmslow defence but each LSH opportunity was stopped by a burglary at the breakdown. I am not sure I have seen a game with so many breakdown turnovers, sometimes coming from dominant tackles lead by Michael Parker, and the pack. Much of this phase was played between the 22’s. When LSH did create an opportunity, with a clear 2 on 1 outside, the Wilmslow scrambling defence held the ball up over the line.
Another steal from Wilmslow, just outside the LSH 22, lead to the next try, converted by Matt White. Billy Bridgewater broke the line, feeding Sam Young to break more tackles. His pass was intercepted but Angus Ramsey drove the defender over line leading to a 5 m scrum. After sharp fist phase work Thorpy drove in for the score. Thorpy earned his “Man of The Match” performance not for the try but my constantly breaking through the tough LSH defence. Just before the half Wilmslow looked like they were going to score again. A 5m scrum in front of the post. Early pressure from the LSH weight had caused some difficulties but The Wolves pack were just getting parity, and for the rest of the game ascendancy. The ball was secured, the push went on, Thorpy was just about to pick up. The shrill whistle, which we all heard all afternoon (maybe just a little too much), penalised the Wilmslow pack and went in on the half 12-0.
Wilmslow started the second half parked in the LSH 22 but a moment of brilliance from Alfie Cribb almost turned the game. Breaking though the Wilmslow line on the half, with only Matt White and the retreating defenders to beat, Alfie’s footwork put Matt in two minds and he glided past to score, with Stanly converting (7-12). The game might have turned as LSH had threatened out-wide all afternoon, their scrum-half firing bullets that created shapes in midfield.
Another turnover, outside the LSH 22, another Thorpy charge and another shrill whistle. Matty White slotted the penalty to give a little breathing space. After last weeks all round performance things looked just a little off but that, for this reporter, was due to the persistence and willingness to play of LSH. In the old days you booted your way out of the 22, LSH always tried to play. Pressure is built by position and lower number mistakes. Wilmslow put pressure on the LSH backs with good kicks, including a 50-22, but it was Thorpy’s deft hands, again just outside the LSH 22, that put Will Downes through unopposed to score under the sticks, leaving an easy conversation for Matt White.
The passion under the LSH sticks was clear, they were not going to give up. It summed up the spirited LSH team. Whist another 2 on 1 may have been snuffed out by good defence by Adrian Saville the last words went to a Jo Jackson try for LSH. An away win at LSH may be small steps but they are all going in the right direction; any team should be proud of seven wins in a row. The Coach was a little more reticent “Not the finest display but we got a tough win, we were just not on it today. We just need to be more disciplined in training and convert that on the park. We were just a bit disjointed.” Even as Jonah said this there was a glint in his eyes, now the fun was going to start. The char-à-banc trip home is always more fun. On this beautiful Spring day the darker days are behind us.
So the truth is: this was a good day, with good men (and a few good woman), but even with good intentions sometimes the outcomes are not what we wish for. At least the President did not go on the Coach, that outcome would have been much worse!
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