A scheduled kick-off time of 11:45am turned into a 12:00pm kick-off as the two U15’s sides waited for the availability of a pitch at the Saddleworth ‘Greenfields’ venue. It was a mud covered pitch the HFH U15’s took too as they embarked on their seasonal ‘game by game’ improvement this time against a Saddleworth U15’s side.

It took the Hornets just five minutes to make their first delivery of goods. The ever improving Brett Mikalauskas was as sharp as a knife as he darted towards the Saddleworth try line. Stopped short, Brett performed a quick play the ball, which allowed the Hornets to keep the pressure on. The ball was tossed from one set of hands to another but Brett was intent on scoring and made sure he got the ball back. With determination he crossed the Saddleworth try line for the Hornets first score, and gave Pricey an easy conversion.

Given the conditions, there was some excellent rugby produced by the Hornets to outclass the home side. Some clever kicking by Pricey was matched by determined chasing of the ball by all the HFH U15’s players. Effort and determination was not in short supply.

This was exemplified when, in an attacking role in the middle of the field, a Saddleworth player dropped the ball. With surrounding Saddleworth players looking on, James Parle was the first of the Hornets players to react. Dropping on the loose ball, he was able to get back up and gain several yards before been dumped in the mud. Un-rattled by the dumping, Parley jumped up and played a quick ball to the supporting Carl Mercer.

Holding the ball to commit would be tacklers, Carl fed out a lovely pass to Wing man Thomas Spencer. Still with some work to do, Tom spend towards the try line and crossed in the corner with three Saddleworth tacklers hanging from him. Pricey was unlucky with the touchline conversion.

In another attacking role, Pricey cleverly chipped over the advancing Saddleworth defenders and Parley was there to collect a convenient bounce of the ball. Feeding Winger John Hensby, he made ground towards the Saddleworth sticks. Another quick play the ball and Pricey puts in another chip kick, and one which bobbled on the Saddleworth try line. Although there were three HFH players giving chase, the condition of the pitch meant that each of them missed the ball and the chance to put more points on the board.

It wasn’t long before the Hornets were buzzing around the Saddleworth try line once more. Under the sticks, HFH U15’s were awarded a free kick for an infringement. After several minutes waiting, while an injured player was seen to, pricey tapped the ball and held it while the Hornets did a running scissors move. A free kick was then immediately awarded to Saddleworth for ‘crossing’.

A big hit by Jack Williams meant the Hornets regained possession, as the power of the tackle made the Saddleworth player spill the ball. Quickness of actions was the secret ingredients to spell bound the Saddleworth players, as Pricey fed Mike Bailey who then planted a neat pass to the straight running Winger, Jimmy Hilton. Another touchline conversion was just missed.

From the resultant restart, the ball didn’t travel ten metres but a HFH player gathered the ball. The referee immediately awarded the Saddleworth team a free kick. With only ten minutes to go to half time, and the Hornets regaining possession, Dave Meadows broke and held the ball superbly before floating it out to Jimmy Hilton, who scored his second try once again in the corner. A missed conversion brought a half time score line of 00 – 18.

At the start of the second half, Scott McCann was interchanged for Phil Smith. With a scrum on the half way line and only twelve minutes gone, the Hornets laid a lovely angled line. Winning the scrum, the ball found good hands and when it reached Carl Mercer, he out sprinted the Saddleworth defenders down the wing line, and then scored under the posts. Pricey got the conversion.

Fifteen minutes gone and Wing men Jimmy Hilton and Byron Kerr-Dando were interchanged. With the Hornets deciding to take a small vacation, the Saddleworth players ceased their opportunities. Sum penetrating high kicks caused the Hornets to create errors, and from one such incident, the Hornets were forced to drop out from under their own posts.

A neat short kick was played but the HFH players failed to collect the ball, while the Saddleworth player said ‘Thank you’ and strode across the line.

In an almost exact replay, the Hornets dropped out short from under the sticks but this time Winger Byron Kerr-Dando collected but was bundled in to touch. This was the chance Saddleworth were waiting for as they pounded away at the HFH try line. Only a head-on tackle under the sticks by Full Back Jordan Holland, prevented the big Saddleworth Prop Forward from scoring.

Surviving the onslaught and with only eight minutes remaining on the clock, the Hornets players battened the hatches down. Unfortunately, a slip on the muddy ground by a HFH player left a gap through which the Saddleworth Prop drove through. A superb stint of tackling brought the Prop Forward down to terra-firma, for what the HFH players thought was a try saving tackle but the referee awarded a try. The score line now read 10 – 24 and looked more respectable for the Saddleworth players.

With Wingers Byron Kerr-Dando interchanged for Jimmy Hilton’s return to the field, pressure was once again applied to the Saddleworth defences. This forced a drop out from under the Saddleworth sticks. HFH were then awarded a free kick because the Saddleworth players were adjudged to have been in front of the kicker.

The HFH U15’s took the opportunity to interchange several players with James Purcell replacing John Hensby and Scott McCann returning to the field to replace Mike O’Brien.

From the resultant free kick, Pricey tapped the ball and good clean neat hands ensured the ball found Winger Tom Spencer, who repeated his feat of the first half, and squeezed in at the corner for his second try.

With time running down on the clock, the score line stayed at 10 – 28 for a fabulous HFH U15’s victory.

Next week, the HFH U15’s have had to cancel any potential fixture because of the HFH Clubs hosting of the Student Rugby League Regional Championship Games at Wilmere Lane Sports Ground, for the third consecutive year. They will wait to see what the following week’s fixture will bring.

Tries Scored:
Thomas Spencer and Jimmy Hilton – 2 each
Brett Mikalauskas and Carl Mercer – 1 each

Conversions:
Daniel Price - 2

Awards:
Man of the Match: Brett Mikalauskas
Top Tackler: David Meadows
Most Improved: Mike O’Brien

Final Score:
SADDLEWORTH (U15’s) 10 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 28

HFH U15’s Team:
Mike Bailey, Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Daniel Price, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, John Hensby, Brett Mikalauskas, Scott McCann, Carl Mercer.

Substitutes:
Phil Smith, Kyle R Nickle, Byron Kerr-Dando and James Purcell

16 Mar 08, ?

POSTPONED

STUDENT RUGBY LEAGUE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES 2008 - hosted by the Halton Farnworth Hornets arlfc, at Wilmere Lane Sports Ground for the THIRD consecutive year.

23 Mar 08, NO GAME - EASTER WEEKEND

NO GAME - EASTER WEEKEND

30 Mar 08, Folly Lane v's Halton F H

For today’s encounter, HFH U15’s travelled away to take on table toppers and unbeaten side Folly Lane U15’s.

This was always going to be a ‘sluggers’ game with the conditions more suited towards that of a hippopotamus’.

Folly Lane had already predetermined their tacked and continually drove the ball down the middle of the park. Having some big, strong and robust Forwards, they used the conditions to their advantage.

The arrival of half time drew a score line of 00 – 00, which showed the level matching of the two teams in really difficult conditions.

In the second half, the HFH U15’s possession was fine but retention was another matter. For the first twenty minutes of the second half, the Hornets continually defended their own try line to keep a 00 – 00 score line.

HFH errors in their own half, such as trying to pass when near the HFH try line instead of simply getting away from it, just played into the hands of the forever running Golborne Forwards.

Towards the end, an excellent run was made by Jack Williams, whose energies, commitment and dedication was second to none. Tackled just short, he managed a quick play-the-ball, and quick thinking Brett Mikalauskas scooted over the line to register the HFH U15’s first points.

Pricey managed to angle a difficult conversion clean over the cross bar to give a final score line of 16 - 06.

Tries Scored:
Brett Mikalauskas – 1

Conversions:
Daniel Price - 1

Awards:
Man of the Match: TBC
Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC

Final Score:
FOLLY LANE (U15’s) 16 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 06

HFH U15’s Team:
Mike Bailey, Jordan Holland, Daniel Price, Ryan Gardam, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Phil Smith, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, John Hensby, Brett Mikalauskas, Scott McCann, .

Substitutes:
Byron Kerr-Dando and James Purcell

06 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Saddleworth

POSTPONED.

12 Apr 08 [SATURDAY] Halton F H v's Saddleworth

SATURDAY fixture with 10:30am kick-off.

As the HFH U15’s work towards the end of the 2007/2008 season, those fixtures which had earlier been postponed are now starting to dwindle in number. Saddleworth were the visitors to Wilmere Lane Sports Ground this Sunday, the two teams having only played each other earlier in March, when the Hornets took the journey along the M62, and ran out victorious 10 – 20.

Today’s game was played in a similar vein, with both sides showing some considerable ball skills, and crunching tackling techniques.

It was the Hornets who struck first when some good forwards play got the HFH U15’s right up to the Saddleworth try line. At acting half back was Brett Mikalauskas who gathered the ball, kept his frame low and scooped forward to cross the Saddleworth try line for Hornets first score. Pricey added the extra two points.

Fifteen minutes into the first half, and Jack Williams showed a fine turn of speed, as he latched onto a neatly laid pass that invited him to ‘take the gap’. Bursting through like a ‘Pendolino’ on a mission, he sped his way from the half way line and towards the Saddleworth sticks. With time to spare, he was able to run round the sticks and dive over for a splendid try. Ryan was successful with the conversion.

Not only once but twice, did Jack attempt this particular move. Only on the second occasion, the Saddleworth defensive line was slightly more aware of the consequences and so brought Jack down to terra firma but only after he’d made some excellent yardage.

With the score line staying at 00 – 12 up to half time, the second half started well for the Hornets. They were soon once again in the Saddleworth half of the field, and attacking profusely. The awarding of a free kick for off-side, allowed the Hornets to creep even closer. Form the resultant tap, Mike O’Brien was first to take the ball up. Good yards were made by this straight, hard run.

Several tackles later, Mike O’Brien was there again, only this time he decided to take the blind side. He burst through and took four Saddleworth players with him, as he crossed the line for a fine effort of a try.

His little jinking dance routine showed how pleased he was with himself for scoring this one! Unfortunately, Pricey was wide with the conversion attempt.

The second half moved on and Saddleworth never stopped chipping away and on several accounts, sloppy tackling was nearly the Hornets down fall. Only a bit of luck and the rub of the green prevented Saddleworth from registering any points.

With only five minutes of the game remaining, Carl Mercer sped through a neat gap, and made a dash for the try line. Starting off from the half way line, Carl looked for all intents and purposes, as though he was going to score. Only a faster pair of legs on the Saddleworth Winger brought Carl to ground in the Saddleworth quarter of the field.

A quick play-the-ball saw Pricey feed John Hensby, who had a good run at the line. From this play-the-ball, Brett slung the ball blind, and a lovely floating pass saw Jimmy Hilton gather the ball and dive over the line in the corner. Jimmy’s deliberate diving action was one for the cameras! Ryan’s touchline conversion attempt was just short of the mark.

From the restart, Saddleworth laid on a neat, high and short kick. The HFH U15’s players were second best on collecting the ball, and Saddleworth found themselves moving in for a score. Only resolute tackling by the now tired HFH players, prevented this happening.

With the final whistle sounding, and the score line reading 20 – 00, the Hornets had done a good job, and were worth their after match refreshments (pies!).

The HFH U15’s would like to make players, supports and Saddleworth Rangers aware that the injury sustained by Scot McCann (who was stretchered off the pitch and take to hospital in an ambulance) proved not to be a broken left leg. X-rays showed a bad spate of bruising, for which Scott has got to rest his leg.

Tries Scored:
Brett Mikalauskas, Jack Williams, Mike O'Brien and Jimmy Hilton – 1 each

Conversions:
Daniel Price and Ryan Gardam- 1 each

Awards:
Man of the Match: Jack Williams
Top Tackler: Daniel Price
Most Improved: TBC

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 20 verses SADDLEWORTH RANGERS (U15's) 00

HFH U15’s Team:
Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Jordan Pennington, Daniel Price, Ryan Gardam, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, Brett Mikalauskas, Scott McCann, Carl Mercer

Substitutes:
Mike Bailey, James Giblin, Kyle Nickel, John Hensby, Byron Kerr-Dando and James Purcell

20 Apr 08, Leyland v's Halton F H

This is a FOUR pointer game.

Kick-off is 11:30am.

POSTPONED - No allocated referee.

23 Apr 08 [WEDNESDAY, 6:15pm KO] Crosfields v's Halton F H

As the current season rapidly draws to an end, the HFH U15’s find themselves embroiled in a back log of fixtures, needing to be shoe horned into a short duration of time.

This return fixture with Crosfields was expected to be a real tough one – it was the last time the two teams met at Wilmere Lane Sports Ground, when the HFH U15’s ran out winners. And so the same conclusion was thrashed out in this encounter but only after the HFH U15’s team had put the much travelled supporting fans through some heart palpitating moments.

With a 6:15pm kick-off, the HFH U15’s got the game underway and it only took five minutes of the game to have elapsed before Pricey launched a sky scraper of a kick, while in the Crosfields half.

With a marauding crew of HFH players fast approaching the solitary figure of the Crosfields fullback, it came as no surprise to watch the Fullback slightly hesitate and completely miss the descending ball. Pricey, on the other hand, was switched-on, and gleefully collected the bouncing ball. Heading towards the Crosfields line, he was just caught by the seat of his pants but fortunately, Jimmy Hilton was in close support, to take a neat flick pass and score a valuable staring try. Pricey converted.

It was a welcoming site to see the running skills of Winger Tom Spencer, who was unfortunate not to engineer a try from absolutely nothing. On the half way line and defending, Tom was facing two Crosfields attacking players. Managing to entrap the ball handler, the Crosfields player made a weak pass which went to ground. Kicking the loose ball ahead, Tom give chase up the wing, closely followed by three Crosfields players.

It was a scramble to the line as Tom further kicked the ball into the scoring zone. Unlucky, Tom was millimetres away from touching the ball down, as another Crosfields player slide into the ball and knocks it dead.

The Hornets didn’t have all their own way. On many an occasion they had to sustain a tremendous barrage of wave after wave of attacking Crosfields players. A silly penalty for retaining hold of a player’s leg while getting up from the ground was the call against the Hornets. On the Crosfields second tackle of that set; they flew in under the sticks to level the scores.

Fast approaching half time, the HFH U15’s were trying their last chance of the first half, and a speculative Pricey ‘up & under’ looked to be neatly falling into the arms of the well positioned Crosfields Centre.

Up pops Jimmy Hilton, straight out of the blue, and leaves a calling card with the Crosfields Centre, as he conveniently ‘bread binned’ the falling ball to score a fantastic try. Again, Pricey converted to make the half time score line 06 – 12.

The start of the second half and the electrifying break by David Meadows was passionate to watch. From the half way line, David collected the ball, took a few steps, and then realised his feet movements had created a niche of light between two would be Crosfields defenders. Asking no questions and not seeking any answers, David was off on his manifesting route to the Crosfields try line.

With plenty of side steps and swerving avoidance of would be tacklers; the Crosfields try line was all but there. And so where David’s hopes of scoring!

A rear ankle tackle prevented an inevitable and justifiable try, which was a shame after such an exhilarating run. But still with the plot, David makes a quick play of the ball, and a neat Pricey grubber kick forces a drop out.

Not wanting to move from the Crosfields line, Ryan Gardam put himself up for the ball near the try line, and takes four trying Crosfields tacklers with him as he powers across the try line. Pricey couldn’t miss.

With a 06 – 18 score line and all things in the garden looking rosy, the Hornets decided to do a bit of sun bathing, to their own detriment. Crosfields soon rallied up twelve points, due to a lull in the HFH tackling department, and with twenty five minutes of the second half already gone, the score line was now showing 18 – 18.

Up steps Jack Williams to lead the way forward and reawaken the Hornets players. Another inspirational run by Jack gave the much needed imputes for the HFH U15’s players to realise what was happening.

From a play-the-ball, Carl Mercer sprinted diagonally across the pitch to score a good individual try under the sticks. Pricey obliged with the conversion. And then Mike O’Brien thought he’d get on the score sheet, when he scooped from near the line, to take defenders with him to score. His delight in scoring was evident tin his dance routine! Pricey mad it five out of five.

Crosfields scored a late consolation try on the full time whistle to make the final score 24 – 30, and another winning way result for Coach Neil Meadows and his marauding men!

Well done boys; you all worked really hard in this toughie. Let’s take the next one.

Tries Scored:
Jimmy Hilton – 2

Ryan Gardam, Carl Mercer and Mike O'Brien - 1 each

Conversions:
Daniel Price - 5

Awards:
Man of the Match: Daniel Price
Top Tackler: Jack Williams
Most Improved: Thomas Spencer

Final Score:
CROSFIELDS (U15's) 24 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 30

HFH U15’s Team:
Mike Bailey, Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Daniel Price, Ryan Gardam, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, John Hensby, Brett Mikalauskas,, Carl Mercer

Substitutes:
Phil Smith, Byron Kerr-Dando and James Purcell

27 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Rylands

HFH U15’s needed to win this one if they stood any chance of finishing second in League Division One, and gaining promotion to the Premier League for next season.

Having home advantage, the HFH knew this would be no bus mans holiday but on a perfect playing surface, both sides gave a great account of themselves. Early exchanges were contested fearlessly as both sides tested each other out in the tackling department. It soon became pretty obvious that in this game, you’d have to take your chances as they came, or regret it!

With the score line remaining 00 – 00 with two minutes to half time, HFH U15’s were pressurising the Ryland’s line and forced a drop out. Pricey switched an attacking move inside, and Carl Mercer scored under the sticks with Pricey converting. This was an opportunity created and an opportunity taken, which was rewarded with a half time score line of 06 – 00.

In the second half, the pace and toughness of the game was relentless but as time moved on, the HFH players were beginning to feel the effects of the Wednesday mid-week game the previous week.

The onset of fatigue meant tackles were starting to get sloppy, and the HFH attacking line was becoming more akin to the line markings on the pitch. Yet battle away they did and only some ‘set- move- play’ by Ryland’s was capable of deceiving the HFH defensive line.

It was the combination of the Ryland’s Prop Forwards which caused a turn of events for the HFH players. From a tap penalty, the burley Prop ran at the HFH defenders, who pulled the Ryland’s player down some inches from the line. Now it was the turn of the other Prop Forward to play out the set move!

Capitalising on the territory gained so close to the HFH try line, the pounding second Prop collected a pass and set his target. This was aimed at none other than his companion Prop Forward, who had just laid the ground.

Running straight at the previous ‘play-the-ball’ position, the Prop was obscured by his companion, and he was able to touch the ball down and be awarded a try.

Now at 06 – 06 a piece, HFH u15’s restarted the game but immediately put themselves back under pressure, when the kick was said to have gone ‘straight out’. This was self inflicted pressure which the tiring HFH players could have done without. Defending was becoming an exhaustive operation.

In attack, the HFH U15’s tried some speculative kicks from Pricey but good positioning defused the potential for the chasing HFH Wingers to cause any problems.

With time running out, it was now anybodies game and both teams came close to scoring on several occasions. It was obvious that the side that made the next error would suffer the consequences and unfortunately for the HFH U15’s, this misfortune happened to them.

Ryland’s seized on the opportunity and scored in the corner. With a drop goal following a few minutes later and only seconds from full time, the HFH U15’s had lost 06 – 13. And to the team who will now probably finish in the second spot position in the league, and no doubt be relishing the thought of Premier Division rugby next season.

For the HFH U15’s it’s been a real belter of a season with improvement upon improvement creating a successful atmosphere. The encounter against Premier Champs Oldham St Anne’s gave the HFH team a good ‘marker’ by which they will be able to measure themselves throughout season 2008/2009.

The camaraderie amongst the players is second to none, and with the step-up next season to the U16’s being something to look forward to, Head Coach Neil Meadows will no doubt set the target high.

Well done lads, every single one of you.

You’ve all toughed it out one way or another but this season end isn’t the end! To enable consistency of understanding between all the players, to develop one’s own character standing and to demonstrate willingness amongst you all, there are certain activities happening which are targeted at maintaining the camaraderie culture.

Participation in the ten week HFH Toddlers Summer School is one example of how you, as a HFH player, can demonstrate a willingness to help others, while at the same time, learning from others.

There will be summer training sessions when rugby takes a back seat, and the squad of players have a game of football or cricket. The addition of a Pool Table in the Annexe will also aid the continual strengthening of the ties between all the squad players.

For next season, Neil is looking towards a squad with strength in depth; to a squad which helps each other and to a squad who show maturity and respect for each single member - all mates together!

Tries Scored:
Carl Mercer – 1

Conversions:
Daniel Price – 1

Awards:
Man of the Match: TBC
Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 06 verses RYLANDS (U15’s) 13

HFH U15’s Team:
Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Daniel Price, Ryan Gardam, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Phil Smith, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, John Hensby, Brett Mikalauskas, Carl Mercer

Substitutes:
Mike Bailey, James Giblin, Kyle R Nickel and James Purcell

Tries Scored:
Carl Mercer – 1

Conversions:
Daniel Price – 1

Awards:
Man of the Match: TBC
Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 06 verses RYLANDS (U15’s) 13

Substitutes:
Mike Bailey, James Giblin, Kyle R Nickel and James Purcell

30 Apr 08 [WEDNESDAY] Woolston v's Halton F H

Kick-off is 6:30pm.

CANCELLED

05 May 08, Halton F H v's West Bank Bears [WARL CUP - FINAL.......CURTAIN RAISER]

Match Report to follow.

Tries Scored:
Brett Mikalauskas - 2

Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Scott McCann, Mike O'Brien and Carl Mercer - 1 each

Conversions:
Ryan Gardam - 4

Awards:
Man of the Match: Carl Mercer (as selected by WARL)

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U15’s) 36 verses WEST BANK BEARS (U15’s) 00

HFH U15’s Team:
Mike Bailey, Jordan Holland, Jimmy Hilton, Jordan Pennington, Daniel Price, Ryan Gardam, Dave Meadows, Mike O’Brien, Jack Williams, Thomas Spencer, James Parle, Brett Mikalauskas, Carl Mercer.

Substitutes:
James Giblin, Phil Smith, Kyle R Nickel, Ste Shone, John Hensby, Byron Kerr-Dando and James Purcell