WIDNES 14 SOUTHPORT 15 EPIC QUARTER FINAL

The following was posted on the Raging Bull NW Colts League web site on the Tuesday following the match
http://www.colts-rugby.org.uk/ragingbull.nsf/URL/DHUB-96NDRE?open

Thoughts of a Match Official...

The following eMail was received by John Munn (League Secretary Snr D & E) of Liverpool Society Sunday Appointments Team, who is pleased to share it with the wider world of Colts Rugby.

Message Received: Apr 09 2013, 11:17 PM
From: John Littleton
To: John Munn
Subject: Widnes v Southport

John.

As someone who often complains when clubs “get it wrong” I feel compelled to write and let you know about some good behaviour.

I watched John Armstrong referee Widnes v Southport which was never an easy game to control.

The game became fractious and difficult to referee for a while with a couple rounds of teenage “debate” for John to deal with.

One or two of the debated points were landed with considerable force leading to a yellow card for a Widnes miscreant. The game settled down and with 3 minutes to go Southport brought the score back to 14-12.

There was then a period of play where they inched their way back up the field hoping Widnes would commit a penalty to allow one last chance. Widnes were very disciplined and didn’t give Southport any such chance.

Eventually, the Southport 10 attempted a drop kick from near the 10 metre line and that was the end of the game.

John was able to blow for no-side and incredibly Southport had won 14-15 – the kick had gone straight through the uprights!

A huge disappointment for Widnes.

After a few moments of heads in hands in disbelief, the Widnes players bounced back up, shook their opponents by the hand and clapped them from the field in the time honoured way, congratulating the referee on the way.

A delight to see the spirit of rugby shining through and I would be pleased if you could pass on my appreciation to the Colts League and to Widnes club in particular.
.
Best regards.

John - L&DRURS

Editors Note:~
Congratulations to all concerned, and thanks to John Littleton for conveying his compliments to the Colts Teams...

Southport RFC is delighted to have played its part in the proceedings (although it sounds a bit dubious in parts!) and thanks the two Johns for sharing it, and in particular also wish to thank and congratulate Widnes on the conduct of their players and officials in defeat not just in the above citation but but also in the magnamity of their match report (see below)

Lancashire U19's Cup

Semi-Final 2: Liverpool Collegiate v Southport Sunday 21st April

Results Sunday 7th April

Semi-Final 1: West Park St.Helens 12 vs 25 Preston Grasshoppers
Quarter-Final: Widnes 14 vs 15 Southport

Hot off the press (or facebook!) our man on the spot Sam Cross reported this straight after the game

14 nil down all through first half, Forest scored just before half time but not converted. Came out very strong second half but silly penalties. Peacock ran from just inside half way through half the team to score and converted to make it 14-12. Last play was called and forwards retained possession for about 5 mins. Ball was slung back to Jake just inside their half and he scored a drop kick to win 15-14 !!!! POW.

Widnes official Geoff Council then posted his match report on the Widnes web site.

Widnes lost this Lancashire Cup tie in dramatic fashion, Southport kicking a wonderful 35 yard drop goal to clinch victory with the last play of the game. Widnes raced into a 14 -0 lead, Alex Clare going over from a neat Tom Beech grubber kick after Liam Lawton had gathered a clearance kick on the half way. The second try came from Beech after excellent interpassing from Adam Watson, Joe Galloway and Lawton. Beech kicked a superb touchline conversion. On the stroke of half time Southport scored to get back into the game. The second half belonged to Southport as they used their massive pack to pin Widnes down in their own half. Excellent Defence from the Widnes forwards kept their line intact until the final 5 minutes. Southport using their backs for the one few times in the game to good effect to slice open the Wids back line to score under the posts. With the last play of the game the Southport centre kicked a winning drop goal that Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud of. The Wids forwards worked tirelessly throughout Captain Geoff Cooke leading from the front.

Other than Sam's post and heresay I'm afraid there is no other match report but come what it may it was an epic afternoon. Talk about taking things to limit! Jacob McMullens drop goal sounds like something else.

Indeed it was compared to that of a certain Jonny Wilkinson Just to remind you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJk5nSWESbU. Well in Jake!

Absolutely brilliant effort by all the Southport lads to keep their heads and to come back at such a strong rugby playing club as Widnes is a massive achievement.

Well in every one of you and focus now on Liverpool Collegiate!