PGRFC 4th XV 54 – 0 Crosby St. Marys 1st XV – Sale Sharks Division 3 North
Hoppers entertained Crosby St Mary’s 1st team on the main Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) on a crisp, autumnal afternoon at Lightfoot Green. Captain Jimmy Gray had a strong line up on paper – good experienced players mixed with some exciting younger players.
A typical slow start from Hoppers saw Crosby have some ball in Hoppers territory. After slowly coming too and recognising that the large AGP provided plenty of wide open space, Hoppers began to make ground with some great interplay between the forwards.
After good handing in the build-up winger Luke Hayward crossed in the corner. Almost immediately from the restart, a deft chip to the wing from fly half Johnson saw prop Will Douglas – elegant as you like – jump like a salmon and collect the ball and score the try of the afternoon.
Some more great running and support play saw UCLAN full back Jack Murphy score his first of the afternoon. With Hoppers forwards running riot, returning forward Claude Kirton scored after more pressure in the Crosby red zone. A dominant lineout catch and drive saw the evergreen No8 Richie Sands cross before Hoppers now complete dominance saw that man second row Kirton score his second of the afternoon. Surprisingly, all conversions were missed!
The second half saw Hoppers continue their try scoring spree – with a further two tries saw full back Murphy complete a debut hat trick whilst winger Matthew Hayes – Danson ran in unopposed after some great hands and support play in the wider channels. Back row Ryan McGillivary topped a great game with a try late on. Daniel Walmsley and Jack Murphy added conversions to make the final score 54-0 to Hoppers.
After some tough and close losses in recent weeks, a good performance saw Hoppers collect the spoils. Credit to Crosby St Marys, who came and gave Hoppers a very good game and made Hoppers work hard for all their tries.
A 2-week break from league action for the 4ths now – with the next game a home game against Broughton 1’s 0n 25th November.
Hoppers 4ths squad: J Murphy, Foster, Hayes-Danson, Howarth, Hayward, Johnson, George; Shadwell, Nightingale, Douglas, Kiwi Dan, B Murphy, Gray, McGillivary, Sands.
Replacements: Kirton, Walmsley
Man of the match – UCLAN full back Jack Murphy with his hat trick on debut
D’s of the day – Jason Shadwell for losing the ball after thinking he was a Fijian 7’s player holding the ball in one hand! Matthew Hayes-Danson for turning up for the game at kick off time rather than the meet time!
Would you like to play rugby for the Hoppers? We accommodate players of all ages and experiences, from new starters through to veterans looking to keep fit within an organised but fun environment. If you’re looking to start or return to the game then please contact the club by email on info@pgrfc.co.uk providing your contact details and we’ll get back to you straight away.
