Dave’s Diary & Round-up, pre Moseley Match
Outside summer, this is my favourite time of year, with lengthening days, and the start of the Six Nations. National League rugby is moving towards the season’s end game, with talk of promotion and relegation.
No game for the Tigers last week, but two of our rivals made progress. In beating Rams, Sale FC took a giant’s step towards safety, and Esher’s win at Moseley lifts them to within six points of us, with a game in hand. Well, we’ve got Mose at home, so it’s in our hands. I still have the sinking feeling that if we slip up too often, our survival may depend on the final game of the season at Esher.
We Yorkshiremen are best at most things, and we probably do pessimism best in all the world. I don’t think any of us know what is happening with the league structure, anyway.
I had intended to watch Sedge 2s against Fylde, but a lazy morning had me settle for the comfort of televised Scotland v Italy. Later I found that Fylde had conceded the game, so I am pleased I didn’t travel, though watching our 3s beat LSH 2s 45-0 can’t have been bad.
I also saw England’s super first half, and very not-super second half, in Dublin. There is still something timeless and brilliant about the old Five / Six Nations. Professionalism has not detracted from it – surprisingly, perhaps – though I remember a time when almost everyone in the ground was a rugby player, or ex-player. That feeling of a united rugby community has been lost.
My own live watching, and photography, was Sunday morning, when Sedge U16s faced Aspull, and in the afternoon, when our Senior Colts played Fylde.
It was almost like watching the same game twice. In both games, Sedge battled bravely, but were outclassed by faster and more skilful opponents in the wide outside. The Colts, especially, put up a grand fight against a good team. Both our sides scored tries, but their opponents scored more.
Peter Keers refereed the younger boys. He says he is going to finish at the end of the season. It’s a sobering thought that I refereed Peter when he was an under 16 player. Where does all the time go?
Links for photos
Under 16 v Aspull https://www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/albums/72177720323563627
Senior Colts v Fylde https://www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/albums/72177720323606459
All games this season https://www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/collections/72157723091870844/
