With no competitive game for almost a month, Helsby U9s embarked on the hour drive through some of Cheshire’s finest estates to Congleton, home of one of the oldest rugby union clubs in the country. The lack of practice and potential rustiness would have to wait as the Helsby lads were to face 2 teams from the home club and an Ellesmere Port side who had also covered the distance.

Match One v Congleton (A) was an even affair until late on in the second half where Helsby edged a 9 try thriller. Despite being the smaller team the commitment to tackling throughout the side was superb, with Jay Merrett landing some hard hits on his opposing numbers. Attacking is Helsby’s great strength and Cameron Forbes had plenty of opportunity to show clean heels to Congleton’s finest, demonstrating some fine wing play. The team have developed over the last 4 months and have other ways to punish the opposition. Logan Jones demonstrating a keen awareness by ghosting down the near side with a run from his own half to score the try of the game.

In Match Two v Congleton (B) Helsby continued their good work. A more evenly matched side physically were dispatched with comparative ease as the tries rained in from all quarters of the team. Thomas Gray catching the eye with a mazy, cross-field run finding the corner. Tackles were sharper and Coach Jones request to ‘get low’ were being responded to as the boys flew into their opponents, preventing them from gaining line of sight of the try line.

Match Three pitted “Away v Away” as Ellesmere Port took on Helsby on neutral ground. Both teams having played 2 games previously perhaps it would have been understandable if fatigue had taken over. Helsby however had other ideas and took to some ferocious tackling from the start, at times hunting down the ball carriers in twos and threes. Tackle of the day goes to George for a bone crunching effort executed to perfection. As Ellesmere Port were one man down following an earlier injury, Helsby’s Henry Jones provided cover to even the sides. This somewhat back-fired as Henry subsequently split the Helsby defence for a brilliant score! Despite Henry’s efforts the team were not to be outdone and although Helsby overstepped the mark by getting caught offside on a couple of occasions they ran out worthy winners.

Three games, three wins, eight happy lads.

Helsby RUFC

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