U15s Performance Sports/NW Counties Lancashire Cup Final 2010

16th March, 2010

Orrell St James stampede in local derby

Orrell St James were crowned winners of the Under 15’s Performance Sports/NW Counties Lancashire Cup after beating Bold Miners 38-18 at The Stobart Stadium, Widnes.

This was a local derby between teams from both Wigan and St Helens, and this time it was the team from Wigan who came out on top.

The opening sets were tough, but Orrell went into the lead in the 15th minute, after mounting pressure on the opposition line, thanks to a try from full back Adam Lewczenko, converted by Grant Beecham.

However, Bold quickly hit back with an equalizer 3 minutes later from loose forward Luke Thompson, Michael Houghton added the extras to draw level at 6-6.

But the Orrell onslaught started as St James hit with three quick ties before the half time break, two from winger Sam Wilson, and the pick of the first half tries from stand off Grant Beecham.  Beecham raced over after a fantastic break down the left hand side from loose forward Jonathan Griffiths.

Beecham added another conversion and Orrell went into half time 22-6 leaders.

The second half started as the first had ended as Orrell posted their first points 5 minutes into the second stanza, Lewczenko scoring his second of the afternoon. Beecham missed the conversion, which meant the home side went into a comfortable 26-6 lead.

Not to be outdone, Bold hit back with a try 5 minutes later, Thompson crashed over for his second try of the game. Houghton kicked the conversion.

Both teams scored a further try each, Orrell scoring though winger Jordan Topping, Bold’s through Robert Lever, making the score line 32-18 going into the last 5 minutes.

But Orrell rounded off a wonderful performance with the last try of the game from scrum half Daniel Fallon, Beecham converted and Orrell St James were crowned winners of the U15’s Performance Sports/NW Counties Lancashire Cup Final.

Referee Andrew Bentham was very impressed with the way both teams played “I thought both teams had very good discipline and just got on with playing the game. They were a credit to their club and coaches”

He admitted that Orrell’s stand off Grant Beecham was his man of the match.

Hearing the news, Beecham was thrilled “I’m ecstatic that the referee picked me out, you can’t really get much better than that!” he said.

Orrell’s head coach Neil Gee was extremely pleased with his team’s performance “I thought we worked hard from the first kick, we lost a Final last year so this was a great way to bounce back.  Bold were fantastic, they worked hard all game, we knew they would be tough.”

Bold Miner’s coach Dave Lever was very disappointed for his players “They were just stronger in certain positions.  It just wasn’t our day and we’ll pick them up as they are down and we will get ready for the new season.”

HT Score: 22-6

FT Score: 38-18

Orrell St James

Tries: Lewczenko 2, Wilson 2, Beecham, Topping, Fallon

Conv: Beecham 5

Bold Miners

Tries: Thompson 2, Lever

Conv:  Houghton 3

Man of the Match: Aaron Lewczenko (Orrell St James)

Referee: Andrew Bentham

Touch Judge: Ben Hayward

Touch Judge: Alex Davidson

Reserve Referee: Jamie Reid

Orrell St James U15’s

1. Aaron Lewczenko

2. Jordan Topping

3. Matthew Gee

4. Sam Wilson

5. Adam Lavin

6. Grant Beecham

7. Daniel Fallon

8. Bradley Moneypenny

9. Jake Williams

10. Liam Droughton

11. Chris Platt

12. Ryan Lee

13. Jonathan Griffiths

Subs

14. Ryan Parkinson

15. Lewis Tierney

16. Daniel Lacy

17. Thomas Whittle

Coach: Neil Gee

Bold Miners U15’s

18. Liam Corbett

  5. Nathan Filson

  2. Lewis Pickavance

17. Ryan Williams

  4. Michael Scott

  3. Michael Houghton

  9. Dean Ainsworth

19. Connor O’Toole

  6. Jake Devine

10. Aaron Whitrow

12. Robert Lever

13. Michael Fields

11. Luke Thompson

Subs

14. Jack Heath

16. Tom Chisnall

  8. Jonathan Key

Coach: Dave Lever

 Report by Louise Fildes

Photographs of the day are available to view or buy at www.kt8photography.co.uk