Wilmslow beat local rivals Stockport today to keep up their winning ways after the winter break.
As the winter months come to an end, it is a sign that the rugby season is coming to its conclusion as the final scheduled domestic game is to be played at the start of February. Wilmslow will be hoping to say their season is still going in March as the Daily Mail Cup and Cheshire Cup have still not evaded them. But, to win these competitions you have to maintain a good momentum and keep playing consistent rugby week in week out and unfortunately for Wilmslow and for Stockport they had not played a competitive rugby game since the last weeks of November and the start of December due to the Christmas break and the big freeze around the country.
Wilmslow knew there could be signs of rustiness so realised that they had to focus on this game as much as any in order to keep their 100 percent record intact. Before the game there were lots of rumours flying around about complacency from Wilmslow, but that seemed to entirely untrue judging by the way Wilmslow approached this game. Roger Hancock and Matt Bebbington made it clear to the players that this game is important, every game is important and that it was no warm up game for Wilmslow's huge round of 16 clash next Saturday against Lancaster in the Daily Mail Cup.
Even though little, or no rugby was played over the Christmas period, Wilmslow did have injuries to Sam James, Tom Hudson and Ollie Lee, but on the plus side Wilmslow welcomed back captain Toby Rowe to light training earlier this week for the first time since he injured his collar bone in the summer. Will Batterbury started at full back to replace Hudson, Sam Rodman started at tight head prop and Ben Jones made only his third 1st XV appearance at second row alongside Dan Thomas.
It was the second rower Dan Thomas that made the only highlight in the opening 10 minutes with a typical surging run forward but despite this it was an opening that was lacking continuity. This was mainly down to the conditions, with the ball slipping out of the hands of the players as sharp drizzle fell throughout the game.
Both sides looked apprehensive in particular Wilmslow who knew how important it was to hit the ground running after the winter break. "I'm actually quite nervous for today's game, just hope we put in a good display" said Vice-captain Max Harvey before the game.
Opposition captain, Harvey Taylor seemed up for the game and was disappointed when his side conceded a cheap penalty inside 14 minutes which Olly McCall slotted over after Stockport had probably shaded the opening proceedings. Sean Street looked like he wanted to add some energy into the game with a few punts down field but Stockport still continued to look like the side that were going to score the first try. Taylor did miss a cross field penalty and from then on Wilmslow turned the tide and scored a brilliant opening try.
Outside centre Sam Broster, found a gap after a number of pick and go's by Wilmslow and steamed past a number of players across field, very reminisant of Tom Hudson's unbelievable solo try against Ampleforth in December. Hudson managed to twist and go once he got to the sideline, but Broster looked like he had reached a dead end until Sam Jafarian came down the wing unopposed from half way to score in the corner. McCall converted to give Wilmslow a 10 point cushion.
That 10 point cushion was reduced 5 minutes later as Taylor scored a penalty and that just gave a sense that Stockport were going to fight until the bitter end rather than let Wilmslow command the game. McCall missed a penalty on the stroke of half time which ended a very disjointed first half full of handling errors which in turn led to stop-start rugby.
Wilmslow's plan of taking the game to Stockport right from the off in the second half worked magnificently as they extended their advantage as the magical McCall showed off his talent as another trademark break saw him step the helpless defender and go towards the corner only to run round into the centre behind the posts to slide home cheekily. A further two points to McCall for converting and for Wilmslow and Stockport now were playing catch up.
The hosts responded in the right manner as they put pressure on the away side and were awarded a penalty, but again couldn't take the chance partly down to the bellowing wind that went against Taylor in the second half. The game was starting to warm up nicely as were replacements Jordan Chappell, Stephan Marsh and Sam Royle who were sporting the sub suits that they were given by Rugby World magazine after Wilmslow were given team of the month in December.
McCall was nearly gifted another 5 points as a mistake by a Stockport defender allowed pressure upon himself after a kick by McCall. Pressure from Jafarian and then McCall made the Stockport player slip and McCall tried to dive on the loose ball which was over the try line but just crossed the dead ball line once McCall had got to it. Minutes later Wilmslow did get their third try of the game after substantial pressure by them in Stockport's 22. Luke Tyrell broke away from a maul and snuggled under a crowd of players in the corner to score a try against his old school.
Now Stockport needed to score quickly and they exerted their own pressure and scored a try in the corner 14 minutes in to the second half. That would be it in terms of scoring for Stockport, but they had to keep defending as Wilmslow weren't finished yet. Olly McCall got his second try of the game as he strolled over with 15 minutes left of the game. Luke Tyrell and Sean Klein linked up well to create a half chance for Wilmslow and Jordan Chappell made a solo run in the last few minutes to gain valuable ground away from Wilmslow's own try line.
Wilmslow fought hard for their victory today and it was vital for them to win their first game back since the Christmas holiday. They emphasised before the game that this was no warm up for the game against Lancaster on Saturday. Hancock and Bebbington expected Stockport to play the way they did with grit and determination and expect the same from Lancaster next week. For Wilmslow they keep their 100 percent record up after 15 games this season, however they will not be thinking about that next weekend, but the prospect of being in the last 8 of the Daily Mail Cup and this win today will give Wilmslow even more confidence that they can achieve it.
Final score: Stockport Grammar 8, Wilmslow High School 29.
Wilmslow: W Batterbury, A Walker, S Broster, E Harding (capt), S Jafarian, O McCall, S Street, M Harvey, T Fantom, S Rodman, B Jones, D Thomas, L Tyrell, S Klein, O H-Douglas Replacements: S Marsh, R Longmore, J Chappell, S Royle.
Tries: Jafarian, McCall 2, Tyrell
Cons: McCall 3
Pens: McCall
Half-time: 3-10
This match report is a guest post by Chris Heal, Wilmslow High School.
