Cheshire Bowl Sunday 1st May 2011 Finals Day
Northwich Rugby Union Football Club

It was a glorious sunny day but unfortunately there was a very strong blustery wind that
was straight down the pitch making playing conditions very difficult. The events of the
day were as follows:-

Shield Final
Plate Final
Bowl Final
Cheshire Cup

Northwich v Chester
Caldy v Sandbach
Altrincham Kersal v Stockport
Lymm v Macclesfield

We approached the Bowl Final with a little trepidation having lost in the Cup final last
year to Lymm and, I understand, that Altrincham Kersal only lost to Lymm by 3 points
earlier this year, it looked as though it was going to be very close.

The Stockport Squad was 1. Simon Metcalfe, 2. Alex Provan, 3. Tom Gardner, 4. Adam
North, 5. Sam Fitzsimmons, 6. Mike Solomou (Captain), 7. Junaid Athar, 8. Jordan
Omokeowa, 9. Mark Ray, 10. Harry Cowell, 11. Crad Roberts, 12. Ash Wilde, 13. Jake
Knotman, 14. Sam Bailey, 15. Dan Walker, 16. Spencer Scragg, 17. Will Booth, 18. Tom
Metcalfe, 19. Oliver Thomas, 20. Jack Tootle, 21. Edward Robinson, 22. Sam Corrigan.
Stockport’s Final was due to Kick Off at 1.30pm but the Coaches job was tested earlier
with Harry Cowell injuring his ankle (a big thanks to Harry’s dad, Mike for the transport
via coach and drinks for the players) and having to withdraw, it was further exacerbated
when the news filtered through that Captain Mike was ill. Sam Corrigan came off the
substitute’s bench, replacing Harry and Simon took over the captaincy. In the event Mike
arrived during the warm up, but looked very pale and not very well, however he played
the first half which was very courageous. Harry being unable to start meant that Dan
Walker moved to 10, with Sam Bailey switching to 15, and Sam Corrigan coming on at
14.

As the players came on to the pitch I was reminded that earlier on Paul had said that A
K always had a big tough pack and their loose head made me feel sorry for Tom G as
he was enormous. The game started at 1.40pm and yes, the first scrum did put Stockport
under pressure but thereafter the Stockport pack took complete control. They won quite a
few against the head during the game and frustrated the opposition by wheeling the scrum
when it was A K’s put in. The first half, with Stockport having the wind with them, was
virtually played in A K’s twenty two but a combination of their stout defence and the
Stockport team wasting several two and three man overlaps, kept the score down. In the
event Stockport did score two tries, with Jordan bustling over, which were ably converted
by Jake who also converted a penalty for a 17 point lead at half-time, which could have
been more. I must mention the success of Stockport’s line out and Jordan’s excellent
handling - well done (and thanks to Rick and Joe for the work put in on that area over
the last two weeks, we were the only team to consistently win line out ball all day in the
severe wind – MW).

In the second half we were playing against the wind and A K scored a try within 3
minutes. The strong wind played a part and they did not convert it, we wondered if we
were going to rue the missed opportunities of the first half. We need not have worried as
Stockport scored the best try of the game. The forwards won a ruck on the left hand side
of the pitch, just short of A K’s twenty two and the ball was moved across the backs with
Junaid putting in the finishing touch, a great team try which Jake yet again converted.

A very satisfactory part of Stockport‘s play was the speed at which the backs put A K’s
three quarters under pressure when they did have the ball, it reminded me of Lymm! The
final try was an individual effort by Junaid running from the half-way line, after being put
in a little space by the backs, again converted by Jake (5 kicks made from 5 attempts, in a
howling gale, well done Jake – MW).

It would be remiss if we didn’t thank Northwich for their excellent organisation and also
the Referee and his assistants who did an excellent job.

Congratulations to all the players in the squad, even though they didn’t all get on, they
were still a vital part of the team, and to Mark and the coaches for a job well done. It was
great to see Michael and Simon jointly receive the bowl, at long last the Bride and not the
Bridesmaid, topical comment (had to get a Royal Wedding reference in!! - MW).

David B M