Academy Brothers v Wigan St Judes

“Definitely St Judes and not St Tropez!”

Well the Academy Brothers travelled to the metropolis that is known as ‘Wigan’ in Lancashire for their first game of the Season. NCL League 1 side Wigan St Judes providing the opposition. It was another first as this was the first game of the season for the new Management Team of Head Coach PO Marc Warren (RNLA) and Team Manager LPT Joe Collin (HMS SULTAN).

The day itself was probably one of the coldest and wettest on Lancashire records! Proof of this was seeing the Fijian Water boys for the day (Bee Buinimasi and Rob Waka) shivering non-stop and matching the airport scene in ‘Cool Runnings’.

Coach Warren announced pre kick off that James Elliott was to be installed as the Academy Captain for the season with John Clay as his Vice-Captain for the season, so many congratulations to both players from all involved within RNRL and here’s to a great season ahead for the Academy in 2016.

The Academy warmed up on a pitch that some two to three weeks ago was under a foot of water so the going was heavy under foot and with the Lancashire wind and rain getting stronger conditions were as close to what a Southerner would say was ideal for a ‘Northern’ Rugby League match!

The game kicked off with both sides feeling each other out, St Judes proving as equally good in defence as they were going forward. It was the home side who got the score on the board after opening up the Academy defence and scoring just inside the Right hand corner. This seemed to unease the Academy side and in an almost mirrored move St Judes score again on the same wing. The Academy re grouped and went at St Judes from the kick off seeing a turnover after a St Judes knock on. But for a side that had leaked some 900 points in the last two seasons, it was clear St Judes increased training over the last two months was paying dividends in defence. No matter how hard the Academy Big men tried Savage, Parry or Clissold were repelled.

After weathering the storm St Judes now had their tales up and turned defence into attack scoring a further two tries after great work from their Scrum Half and Stand Off feeding St Judes winger on both occasions. Another well worked try followed from St Judes and it was clear the Academy were up against a well drilled, confident Conference side. The half ended with St Judes leading 26-0.

The second half followed and no matter how hard they tried the Academy couldn’t breach a resilient St Judes defence. Tackle after tackle or a final knock on or being held up just short of line saw the Academy not breach the St Judes defence. However, it wasn’t for the want of trying with great performances from Johnson, Savage, Harrison, Parry in the Fwds and Binns, Elliott and Southernwood in the backs.

St Judes added further scores in the 2nd half, but what was pleasing was even when up against a well drilled side and opposition that included the majority of their first team including 3 u18 International players and with lady luck against them the Academy Brothers did the shirt proud battling to the very end. Final score St Judes 42 RNRL Academy 0. St Judes Coaching Staff voted Danny Johnson, Man of the Match, and in his first game back after a long layoff it was definitely deserved, great going forward and he tackled nonstop all game. A return to full fitness is the goal for Danny now where I am sure an Inter Services cap will be beckoning shortly.

Although beaten on the day Coach Warren commented “The guys have come together in a week, they have played a well drilled Conference side and they never gave up and will definitely learn from this!

Lastly, many thanks go to St Judes who were excellent hosts on the day and we wish them all the very best for the season ahead. But the biggest thanks go to you our supporters especially families Warren, Gaskell, Bamford and the BMW Hearse salesman, our very own Adrian ‘Stanley’ Baxter!

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