Lancashire Cup Final U18
AKS 20 Stonyhurst 15
The weather gods smiled as a virtually dry and wind free evening was provided for a floodlit and full Woodlands Memorial Ground in the Lancashire U18 Cup Final. Nerves amongst the players were justly high, for many of them their second home ground and a match in front of perhaps the biggest crowd seen at Fylde so far this season. Sadly, AKS lost Harvey, a giant prop in the warm-up. When I say lost, he rolled his ankle and had to limp his way to the bench. The big man would be missed.
Early exchanges were fiercely contested with both teams relishing the physical battle. Early signs of Stonyhurst moving the ball wide with speed and accuracy was also stretching a creaking defence that managed to drift and eventually stop the attack. AKS managed to get hold of the ball but chose a narrower more direct route, Stan and Will S had a few gallops, but the defence held strong. Eventually, pressure told with a penalty under the posts, crisply converted by Felix, 3-0.
The same attacks from both sides highlighted the next five minutes with Stonyhurst’s dangerous wingers seeing plenty of ball only to be stopped by cover defence. AKS continued a route one, maybe a route two slightly wider and the stress caused by a charging Lucas and Daniel’s selfless support resulted in several penalties, one of which Felix punted in the corner. Sam climbed and the pack formed a tight wedge and nudged the maul forward, with better steering than Stan’s five driving tests Leo broke clear. The Lancashire hooker is deadly from two yards out and he scored the first try of the final, converted to make it 10-0.
It's times like these that everyone knows to keep the restart tight, work a few phases then get out of our half. Everyone knows not to take the ball a bit too far from support and knock on forced by fierce defence. Everyone reading this knows AKS chose the latter. Stonyhurst gained quick ball and rapidly went through the gears; a fabulous pass made their winger drift wide at pace for a very fine score. A vociferous crowd rightly acknowledged the best move of the match, 10-5.
The next ten minutes saw the game settle into a similar tussle, young Ethan replaced Ted in the back row. Ted had provided nuisance value in slowing ball down at the breakdown. Jasper introduced himself into the game with a shuddering tackle and powerful runs. Felix gained territory with a series of kicks. Sam and Toby, the half-back brothers saw a bit of quicker ball and finally the ball was moved wide. Finn, after a series of tackles, and Josh got to have a run themselves and gained yards with quick feet. Josh came in off his wing a number of times and set up quick ball. Will W at fullback beat a few defenders in a couple of rangy counterattacks and another penalty was pushed for a five-metre lineout. Sam intelligently moved to the middle of the lineout and the pack found an instant purchase for Leo to bag a brace, 15-5.
Half-time was called with the game in the balance AKS were looking forward to playing towards the club house end where most of the huge crowd were. Stonyhurst were faster out of the blocks, their pack got into some direct running and carrying on from the first half there were some slick handling at pace from the three-quarters. New arrivals to the fray Jake and Zac had their work cut out as every attack asked questions of their defence. Fortunately, these two had every answer up their muscled sleeve and managed this part of the game well. Stonyhurst continued to carry strongly with two good carries followed by width. Space was found, and through they went for another great try much to the approval of the covered stand. 15-10.
Another turnover from Tommy won a relieving penalty, the AKS try formulae had worked well so far, and so it was as Leo rumbled over. Seasoned veterans of the rolling maul looked each other in the eye and nodded in approval, words were not needed nor could be spoken as they wiped a grain of Fylde coast sand from their eyes. 20-10.
Stonyhurst refused to lie down and launched wave after wave of attack, Robert had joined the back row and joined in with strong defence, it was now a case of holding defensive discipline and trying to force a mistake. Charlie was having a fine battle with his opposing man, but momentum was with the team from Hurst Green and a couple of excellent passes created space for another fine score, 20-15.
With ten minutes to go few people could predict the result, would fluid attack or solid defence win the day? Well, it was a bit of both, Stan and Will S continued to look for a weak shoulder. Jake stole a ball in a tackle, and it was moved wide only for AKS to be denied again, a penalty to the corner was missed, an attack from deep launched and the lads all wanted to carry and once again Stonyhurst made their way out of the half. A breach was made, and Will W was faced with a one on one, a bit of a speed bump tackle was good enough for two cover defenders to get back. A penalty was given for a collapsed maul and a scrum was chosen. AKS had enjoyed a dominance in the tight phases of play; Sam and his lifters had made a mess of the lineout, but a scrum was called. Predictably the attacking scrum went backwards, and a turnover was secured, a series of pick and goes made it to the 22 but the clearance kick didn’t find touch, the last attack of the match saw pace from the winger, Zac was half beaten but held onto an ankle. Jasper arrived from nowhere, the prospective match winner was bundled into touch. Whistle blown, joy on one side agony on the other. Skipper Toby raised the cup. AKS Lancashire Cup Champions.
A fabulous occasion, made by two well matched sides, a lively crowd and excellent stewardship of the match from the refereeing team of four. Many thanks to Fylde and Lancashire RFU for their facilities and organisation. Both teams were a credit to their past and present coaches. Photos and videos will be published but the memories of the match, an individual turnover, tackle, pass, run or indeed a cup final hat-trick will be shared and embellished for many years to come. Well played lads.
Graeme McIntyre