Last updated at 18:37, Thursday, 06 May 2010

The fifth meeting of the season between these two teams produced another cracker of a game which could have gone either way.

Glasson Rangers 10

Broughton Red Rose 7

There was some excellent defence and strong running on display from both sets of players in this U16 Top Four semi-final.

Red Rose went ahead when Mark Varty found a gap in the Glasson defensive line, he then rounded the chasing full-back to score under the posts. Sean Mumberson converted.

This score stirred the Glasson team to a response and their pressure eventually told but the referee disallowed the Gary Tierney effort as he did not ground the ball correctly.

After half-time Glasson began to build pressure but this was met by some determined defence from Red Rose and they were unable to get over the try line.

In turn Red Rose made ground through their very big pack of forwards and some clever field kicks.

As the half progressed it began to look like a Red Rose victory but suddenly Thomas Dixon broke their line, he passed to the supporting Chris Tomlinson who raced in to score under the posts.

Dixon converted this to give a score of 7-6.

This score created confidence within the Glasson team who began to let the ball flow and moved the big Red Rose players around the field.

With minutes remaining Thomas Dixon spotted a gap and went through it and despite two defenders in attendance he stretched out an arm to get the ball over the try line wide out on the right hand side of the posts. He missed with the conversion.

Glasson then attempted to play out time, Red Rose gained possession and made a concerted attempt to score what would be the winning try.

Despite their efforts they couldn’t breach the stoic Glasson defence.

The Glasson performance was a true team effort but Dean Petre should be singled out for an excellent performance at full-back, he made several try-saving tackles, and caught numerous high balls in windy conditions.

Seaton 60

Penrith 4

A plucky Penrith side worked very hard but struggled to contain the big Seaton forwards in this high-scoring U12 game.

Jack Earl produced an outstanding performance at hooker and was well backed up by huge props Stewart Galacher, Ellis Mewes and loose forward Conor Fitzsimmons.

The first try was created by Greg Kerr and finished by Fitzsimmons with Kerr adding the conversion. Centre Nathan Postlethwaite showed great speed when running in from 40 yards and scored an identical try two minutes later, both converted by Kerr.

Fitzsimmons smashed through the Penrith defence for the final score of the first half giving Seaton a lead of 24-0 at the break.

Prop forward Galacher burst through on his own 20-yard line and raced the length of the field with what seemed half the Penrith defence on his back before collapsing under the posts for a wonder try.

Centre Dan Davies jinked his way over for two quality tries after brilliant interplay between stand-off Domonic Smallwood and Earl.

Davies then set up Kerr with an outrageous pass under the Penrith posts.

A massive hit by Jon Carl Bryan caused a Penrith dropped ball which Fitzsimmons picked up to score an easy walk in under the posts.

Earl got a well-deserved try when bulldozing his way over from acting half back.

After four consecutive sets on the Seaton line, Penrith scored a superb try from their influential stand off, Joe Banks.

Seaton’s final try came from a neat chip and chase from Fitzsimmons.

Broughton Red Rose 0

Seaton 46

Broughton Red Rose played their part in a very entertaining game but could not get through the stubborn Seaton defence which was well led by hooker Jack Earl and second row forward, Jon Carl Bryan.

Seaton created their first scoring opportunity after quick hands from Domonic Smallwood and Greg Kerr released Stewart Galacher who burst through the line and offloaded to Conor Fitzsimmons for a superb try. Kerr added the conversion.

Broughton defence stood firm for the next 10 minutes until Seaton winger Billy Southward raced in for a 70-yard special. Kerr converted.

The final try of the half came from a scrum when Smallwood danced his way over to score in the corner making a half-time score of 14-0.

In the second half, Seaton’s big and more experienced forwards began to make good yards resulting in full-back Brandon Renny scoring two quick tries under the posts with Kerr converting both.

Broughton were over the line twice only to be held up by excellent Seaton defence.

Fitzsimmons scored directly from a scrum and minutes later produced the try of the game with a 60-yard run straight from the kick-off.

A great move from the scrum resulted in Kerr going in for a well-worked try and added the conversion.

After a good run from Dan Monkhouse, great hands from Greg Benson, Smallwood and Kerr released flying winger Southward who scorched in from 60 yards to get his second try and complete the scoring.

Broughton competed until the final whistle and gave a very good account of themselves in a game not as one-sided as the score line would suggest.

First published at 18:16, Thursday, 06 May 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk