Stanley Rangers travelled to top outfit Drighlington in a pre-season friendly and lost out to a last minute try to lose the game by two points. Stanley played as good as they have all season, and we are all extremely happy with the performance, and to quote the Drig coach who stated the best team lost on the day.

Stanley started the game with a real determination, and drive, with Jordan O'Neill doing the work of three forwards with his awesome display of running and tackling. The pressure was on early in the half and with Matty Hobson calling a scrum move and a switch pass allowed Thomas Sowerby to go 20 yards and beat the full back to score the game's opening try.

 

The next period showed how versatile we are with new boy, and strong running half back Harry Dave probing the Drig line on many occasions. The team looked confident, and direct, and we defended our line with a great work rate in defence, and Jordan O'Neill and Matty Hobson felling everything that ran at them.

 

The next score was a beauty, with Thomas Sowerby putting in a great 30 yard kick for Matty Hobson to blow every other chaser off and touch down for a wonderful try at this age group. I have yet to see a more complete all round player than Matty Hobson, he shows every week how good at every aspect of the game he is, well done Matty.

 

The day started without Ryan Ellison, Mathew Sowerby and Brandan Hill, and even without these players we all stuck to the task well. The Drig boys had the advantage in size across the park, but over the entire game we proved that the passing and running game is the way forward.

 

The second half started with the inclusion of Ryan Bolger, our sensational South African debutante. I have never seen a more impressive debut at any level of the game than the one Ryan showed. He ran with such aggression that the defence looked visibly shaken every time he carried the ball, and he broke the line on most carries. The attack was great, at one point a 7 pass sequence resulted in Ryan getting to the line and just coming up short, but wow, what a display.

 

Ryan was voted Parents Man of the Match, and after that second half display, you can understand why. I do however think that the human dynamo Jordan O'Neill must have been close, his first half contribution of double figures in defence and carries was wonderful.

 

The next score was out of a comic book, with Thomas Sowerby collecting the ball in our own half, he beat the first three defenders, side-stepped another, jinxed and twisted his self past the full back to show a clean pair of heels to the whole Drig defence, a fantastic solo effort. Thomas was awarded the opposition Man of the Match, and after his two tries and kicking who can argue.

 

The next try was another darting effort from Harry Davey, who this time believed in his own pace, and showed amazing strength to take three defenders over to mark his debut with a well deserved score.

 

The last but not least score was by quick thinking Cory Eaton who scooted from dummy half and squeezed through the tight Drig defence to bag a four pointer. The thing that turned the game was only Matty Hobson landed a conversion, that was the difference between the sides.

 

The Top Tackler award was a close run affair, with the usual suspects Jordan O'Neill and Matty Hobson coming out tops with Jordan just piping him by 1 tackle.

 

The Magic Moment went to Harry Davey another debutante who showed that even though he was not yet upto speed with the plays, his determination and skill tested the Drig defence, with his score being a great display of all the above traits.

 

The game was ours to win with a 10 point lead with 2 mins to play, but Drig with two quick fire try's down our right side beat us at the very end of the game, but that's sport.

 

The Opposition Man of the Match went to the impressive, and determined runner Luke Smithson, who produced a wonderful display along with his team mate John Harland, well done to both boys.

 

I along with Russ was very pleased with the display of the boys, and like always we came out with our heads held high. This team have improved so much over the last year, that every coach we play against comments on the brand of rugby we play - so well done to all the players and parents.

 

I for one know that this team is bigger than any individual, and not one single player in my opinion is any more valuable than any other, this is a complete team, and I have faith in them totally. I was more impressed with players playing in unfamiliar positions and excelling at them, well done to all !