but thankfully, despite the cold, it wasn’t a windy Sunday morning to greet Hoylake’s visitors from across the English-Welsh border.
Mold have been the team to beat in previous seasons – a well organised side, strong in all facets of the game and an, ahem, enthusiastic support to shout them on. (did anyone see the OSCAR nominations the other day?!!) It was going to be an interesting match and the hardy Hoylake supporters were wondering which Hoylake team would turn up.
Thankfully it was the “up and at ‘em” Hoylake team that got stuck straight in to a match that was probably the most enjoyable of the season. Both teams played a brand of rugby that was full of strong running, committed tackling and all in a fine spirit. There was lots of tackling in the first half, notably from Sam and Liam who were like a pair of mildly annoyed lions attacking a startled zebra. There were very few mistakes and many attacks ended up with a try. Mold however took the initiative more quickly and went into a two try lead early on but then the cold rain started to pour down. It woke the Hoylake attackers up with James first to score for his team breaking through a number of despairing tackles. His brace came just a few minutes later as the tackle count started to rise and Hoylake were in danger of turning the ball over. John was very busy, always looking for the ball to drive his team forward as was Archie. George was always in support and his efforts were rewarded with a try after Mold has kept their noses in front with a speedy youngster in particular causing problems. Leon wasn’t put off as the rain came down harder and he got stuck straight into the opposition and along with his team mates managed to complete their set of 7 tackles and turn the ball over to Hoylake who put together a lovely set of passes and when the final one ended up with James just a few yards out there was no way he was going to be stopped and he powered over for a great try! There was time for Mold to score before half time and just as the referee was squinting through his rain-covered glasses looking at his watch to blow for half time, Hoylake were allowed to restart the game and thankfully for them it went straight to Liam who only had one thing on his mind and he duly scored his team’s sixth try of the half in response to Mold’s seven.
There were some encouraging noises coming from the half time team huddle rather than exasperated cries from Kev, James and Si but the youngsters were well aware of the task ahead, especially as Mold brought on their team monster (it seems every team has one except Hoylake! A job for the team scouts I think). However with the introduction of Luca and Charlie to the side they didn’t take a backward step. If anything, the half time water may need to be tested by the authorities because Hoylake upped their game to a level not seen before. Luca, Sam, Liam and James were as solid in defence as George, Charlie and Archie were direct in their attack. Sam opened the half’s scoring with a great try after Luca had picked him out with a brilliant pass just before he was tackled – it was like watching a Richie McCaw offload but without the spiky hair and goatee beard (according to Hoylake’s resident Kiwi, coach James). A tit-for-tat try scoring period saw George cross the line. Mold hit back with a try of their own before Hoylake thought they were the Harlem Globetrotters and tried to fling the ball around as if it were an end of season 7s tournament! It didn’t work and Mold were able to capitalise on the mistake. However, Hoylake’s under 9s weren’t put off and continued to pass the ball, almost like a recognisable rugby team! But it worked! A weaving run by Charlie that managed to include both touchlines on his travels must have dazzled the Mold defence because after he was tackled (having made 3 ½ inches of ground!) the ball found several pairs of hands before it found Archie loitering at the end of the line and he charged into the corner. A cracking team try!

There was still a long way to go in the match (sorry dear reader, maybe put the kettle on for a top up?) and the game was delicately balanced. The Hoylake faithful found their voice to spur their charges on and it helped James to take the ball from just inside his own half and tuck the ball under his arm like his favourite teddy bear and charge for the corner. The Mold defence seemed to be tiring and they were unable to cope with James’ speed and power and he scored his fourth of the game to level the match: ten tries each. Both teams were playing on the ragged edge by now with no way through the middle of the park as tackles became ferocious and in some cases illegal. Players were running this way and that trying to find some space on the pitch to run through without having their teeth put at risk! A period of play saw Hoylake and then Mold complete their set of seven tackles to their great credit before Mold broke the temporary deadlock when they forced their way over to score their eleventh. There wasn’t much time left and when Sam slipped the ball to Liam who was in support as usual, Liam dodged and darted and wriggled his way through to score a fabulous try that was in danger of whipping the Hoylake crowd into an unseemly frenzy on such a chilly day! But just when your faithful reporter thought he had seen all there was to witness, Mold broke the cheering Hoylake crowd’s hearts as they battered their way through tired, despairing clutches and crossed the line with room to spare. However there must have been a large number of raindrops still clouding the referee’s vision as there seemed to be more time left in the game – “final play” he called to the Hoylake team who were about to restart the game, one try to the bad. Luca and Sam ran hard at Mold to move the ball a few feet nearer to the try line. Desperate Mold defence wouldn’t let the supporting Archie through, nor could James break the line but their excellent ball retention meant that the game was still alive. George had a run, got tackled, passed to Liam – surely Liam would score….but he got tackled too The tension was unbearable! Only a couple of tackles were left but Hoylake were still a good 15 yards from the try line. The free pass found Charlie who was trying his best to side-step himself into a stupor but encouraged by Kev (“run forwards for goodness sake!”) he ran round the Mold Monster and scampered towards the touchline with the Mold covering defence certain to force him out into touch. However perhaps the defenders thought there were so many of them they couldn’t fail to stop the Hoylake advance………..but they didn’t! How Charlie managed to stay in the pitch and get past the Mold tacklers and for the referee to avoid blowing his whistle will remain a mystery to me for many years. But he managed it and flopped into the corner to score a try that levelled the game! Huzzah!
And then the referee blew up for full time! An excellent game of rugby enjoyed by all those who witnessed it. Great commitment by both sides who were determined to play great rugby with no quarter given. Well done to them all!
There was a second game as well. I am told it was played in a similar way to the first and despite a slow start, Hoylake apparently recorded their first victory against Mold! However the rain had done its worst to your reporter’s writing instruments and an independent verification of this result cannot be reported! I know you are hopelessly upset by this but look on the bright side – you’ll have time to go to bed and maybe get a couple of hours sleep before work tomorrow!