Dave’s Diary 19.03.25, ahead of Richmond match
I was on Armchair International duty last Saturday, whilst keeping an eye on scores from Clifton Lane. Wales were bullish about their chances, but their new dawn sunk without trace. Stephen Hazzelby, Leighton Hughes – we gave your boys one hell of a beating. Great fun.
It meant I missed the 2nd XV’s game. Sedgley lost to Rossendale, whose first team is knocking on the door of National League rugby for the first time. They sit clear top of Regional 1 North West, while Scunthorpe and Huddersfield are front-runners in the North East. One level up, Leeds Tykes now look nailed on favourites to join us in National 1. I am looking forward to a trip to West Park, Bramhope, next season. (Behind the filling station, you can’t miss it… Memories of the long-ago.)
Camborne are setting the pace in the West, which will be a very long trip for us, vying with Clifton, not quite so far. Tonbridge Juddians lead the way in the South East, pursued by Dorking and Barnes; the Dorking v TJ game on the final Saturday could well decide it.
All of which is saying that the four National Leagues are vibrant and exciting, and a lot of fun. Do Richmond really want to say goodbye to this? We can ask their supporters…
My own live rugby last weekend was provided by SP U14s, who took on Bowdon, and by our Senior Colts, who faced Wilmslow. Both were highly enjoyable matches, beautifully refereed by Dan Nethercott. It is good for the young boys to be refereed ‘properly’. The Colts are used to it, but the U14s will have benefited from having to play to the precision of a Society referee. Dan was sympathetic, as well as accurate, it must be added.
Anyway, I digress. Bowdon had just too many growth-spurt six-foot runners, but Sedgley hung in there and competed, in a good quality game. I was impressed by the attitude of our coaches, who encouraged, and kept players’ heads up. Well done, against big and skilful, well-drilled opponents. We did score a few tries. Bowdon scored more, but it was never remotely a stuffing, as Wales v England was, for example.
Under 14 photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/albums/72177720324450792
The Colts game was great fun to watch and, I imagine, to play in. It was fast and furious, if a bit shapeless, with big hits and plenty of passion. Also, some missed tackles, as a 48-36 final score would suggest. Speaking to parents during the game, once again I heard nothing but praise for our club and the team’s coaches.
Colts photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/albums/72177720324468806/
The game against Richmond will probably be my last 1st XV outing of the season, as I will be watching cricket at Headingley (Yorkshire v Worcestershire) on the day Sedgley play DMP. Unless it rains, in which case I will be at Park Lane.
Dave
