1st quarter (2-0)
Pilks started the match keen not to fall behind as early as Sundays match and this time it was the recs who was on the board early, after a couple drives Dylan Greenall broke out of a tackle to sprint away and score in the corner (1-0),
As pilks turned their attention to defence a strong one on one tackle by Dylan on the left wing followed by a one on one from Aiden on the other wing and then one by Ben in the middle meant there was no way through the pilks line as they held Judes out.

Back with ball in hand it wasn’t long before we saw the “Lewis special “ as he put the ball over the top to Dylan and he was in for his 2nd at the corner. (2-0)

St.Judes brought the ball back and spread it through the hands, before it could reach the wing Rhys attempted an intercept but couldn’t take it in, pilks continued to put the pressure on and keep their line in tact as Ben and Judes number 7 muscled up and “got to know each other”.

Dylan Finney and Ethan started the next set with strong drives before Rhys & Lewis started to spread the ball from side to side with some fancy Off loading but just couldn’t find a way through a solid Wigan defence.

Judes came attacking at pace when the ball popped out and the referee made the call that Rhys had stripped it, next tackle and the ball came out again and the same call is given. Drive number 3 and the ball again finds the ground, this time knock on is called and Pilks regained possession.
A long cross field pass from Lewis to Aiden would of been a certain try but Aiden just couldn’t quite take it in at speed.

Looking to get on the scoreboard St.Judes attacked hard needing a big shot from Logan followed by a group tackle from Lewis, Aiden with Josh finishing off to put the pressure on and force a forward pass.
A quick play set Rhys up to sprint away but then a high shot on Ellis brought the end of the quarter.

2nd quarter (3-2)
Judes start well with a few strong runs and Barge over in the middle to close the gap to 2-1.
Dylan Greenall with good hands was quick to spread the ball to Kieran down wing to make yards downfield before spreading again through a few pairs of hands but more solid defence from Judes held strong.

Again pilks piled on the pressure in defence and it showed in an early Wigan knock on, but pilks couldn’t capitalise and return the ball with a 2nd tackle knock on. From Ben.
The Recs heads dropped for a moment and some poor defensive decisions aloud Judes number 8 to walk an equalising try in. (2-2)

Recs regrouped and a perfectly executed dummy to two dummy runners followed by a drop off from Lewis to Aiden caught the defensive line out and Pilks rolled up the field before Logan was stood up by half of the Judes pack, the ball was spread again down the same Chanel but this time Dylan couldn’t quite stay in field.

As St.Judes brought the ball back a bell ringer of a tackle from Ellis & Logan on the first tackle forces a knock on but the referees view was blocked and the game played on, a strong 2nd tackle forced the ball out again and this time it couldn’t be missed ! Some outstanding hit ups from both sides already in this game.

Quick distribution again from Rhys popped up an Inside ball to Lewis and then out to Aiden, pilks where keeping the ball alive in every play then on the Last tackle Dylan Greenall runs around a few players and offloads to his opposite wing but Judes intercepted, Dylan again chased back and Judes didn’t get far, a few tackles later and pilks try line defence was at its best as Judes where Stopped right at the line.

More Strong Judes defence kept pilks pinned downfield until a stinger of a head shot on Dylan Greenall on the last tackle gave pilks an extra set.
Aiden tried to get the ball into space but found the floor and Judes scooped it up, Ben wasn’t for letting anyone past and threw the runner down.
A strong run from Judes got them to the line but Aiden pushed him into touch and held him up but the great speed of the Wigan attack meant that the ref was too far away and had to rely on the Judes linesman who called a try at the half time whistle.

3rd quarter
pilks sent in the big guns, strong drives fromLogan & Ben then back to Logan and he flew over to tie it back up at 3-3.

Dylan Finney, Ethan & Kieran put in a great group tackle to stop Judes in their tracks, Wigan’s speed in the next couple of plays was hard to deal with but some good scramble forced a Judes knock on.

Constant quick distribution and fast hands from Rhys & Lewis got the team flying down field through strong runs from Kieran then Ethan and Logan.

Again we saw the Over the top pass from Lewis to Aiden but this time Aiden throws the same looping pass out to Dylan Greenall and he scooted away, Judes where caught on the back foot but a scrambling defence clawed the ball free however the referee saw it as a knock on.

Rhys & Ellis put another strong tackle in with josh finishing to pin Judes back, Judes then deciding to throw the ball around a bit more but again pilks where giving no breathing room and under the pressure they throw a pass that Dylan intercepts and runs it in at corner for his hat trick (4-3)

Pilks on a high, they come out screaming and intimidating and are on top of Judes who then knocked on at the 1st tackle.
More Rapid play and quick drives from Rhys & Aiden progress up field but Aiden picked up a knock in the tackle and needed a spell on the side.
Again some hot potato is played with the ball as Ellis drives forward then it goes out to Lewis, Lewis to Rhys, in to dylan and back out to Ellis,
This time Ellis was hurt in the the tackle and it was his turn for a break on the sideline.

Not wanting to be outdone St.Judes come back Off loading well again but 3 back to back tackles from Rhys with josh helping out saw the end of the 3rd quarter.

4th quarter (4-3 *no tries)
With the match balanced on a knife edge it was a good strong aggressive game of rugby between the St.Helens and Wigan sides, Firstly 5 Powerful Judes drives got them to the line but Kieron dropped on the attacking player to stop him scoring and the Wigan side knocked on over the line.

Another of what’s rapidly becoming a trademark big drive of bens got the recs up field then a ball out to Ethan, then to Lewis, out to Aiden and back in to Rhys keeps making ground.
Strong defence of Judes held out again with a belter of a big hit on Logan that took the wind out of his lungs.

You could Tell that both sides knew that game time was running out as aggression rose and mistakes crept in, another Powerful drive to line from Judes but a strong tackle from Aiden forces a Knock on.
pilks couldn’t capitalise and a 1st tackle knock on from Logan handed the ball back, only for Judes to again lose the ball at the line.

Frustration started to show with some pushing and shoving at the play the ball which was dealt with by the referee but the next tackle in another disagreement erupted between Dylan Greenall and a St.Judes player after a high tackle and what felt like a bit of a dog pile on Dylan in the tackle.

Judes number 8 wasn’t happy with the outcome and vented his anger a little too vocally and then vented it in an aggressive tackle at the next play prompting the ref to speak to the Judes coach to calm the situation.
The next tackle Aiden copped a high arm and that saw the completion of a great game of tough rugby, Some fluid silky attacking rugby and some hard fought, hard working and gutsy defence from both teams. The whistle was blown, hands where shaken and a mixed team photo was taken as rugby opponents and friends.

Just how rugby is meant to be played !

Man of the match was Ben looker, Bens attack was awesome this week, every ball he made some cracking meters down field for us. It was fantastic to see the passion and feisty was used to his advantage and get us down field every time. Bens defence is the best I’ve seen from him since being at Pilks, he was involved in all the big tackles but not only that he made some big shots one on one. It was really pleasing for us coaches to see you really get stuck in and use your size to your advantage. I thought you had a fantastic game on Sunday but I thought you had an awesome game last night. Really proud of you keep it up Ben great game!

Parents choice went to Ellis Carsley, Ellis you was fantastic again this week, you made awesome meters for us down field and kept them legs pumping. Your defence was superb, you took on the big lads and didn’t take a backward step, you put in some cracking big hits one on one. You got hurt in a tackle you came off but was soon ready to get back on. You had another fantastic game this week, I’m proud of you for coming back and giving it your all. Keep it up Great game Ellis!

Players player was Dylan Greenall, Another fantastic man of the match performance from Dylan. He backed up Lewis and stayed on his wing waiting for the offload not once but twice and going over for a cracking hat trick. Not only did he catch a couple of great balls but he stepped the defence and out ran them all on the wing to gain one of his tries. Dylan’s defence is what impresses us coaches he’s come on so much in such a short space of time, you can put your life on him making the tackle regardless of how big they are and stopping them from gaining that try. He’s fearless now in defence and is such a cracker of a player who’s shining week in week out. Proud of you Dylan you’ve worked so hard to do everything I’ve asked of you and even gaining yourself a cheeky little character a long the way! You nailed it keep it up Dylan!

Top tackler was Lewis Taylor, Your defence was brilliant again this week and topped the tackle count. If you wasn’t making some awesome one on ones you was there wrapping the ball up with your team. Your attack is fantastic and your throwing some cracking balls out with your team which is setting up some awesome tries for Pilks! It’s all the little things you do that some may not see but make all the difference in getting your team over that line! Your working hard to channel that frustration and I’m proud of you for how far you have come! Keep it up Lewis Great game !

Just want to say as I spoke to this lad and I know he wasn’t 100% this week so that’s why I’m giving you a mention!

Logan Parr, your attack was awesome, I spoke to you because I know what your capable
Of and I know how far I can push you. After we spoke you went and gave an awesome run down field and took us to their try line! You busted your way through the defence and are unstoppable when you run hard and not jog!
Everything I tell you is to better you as a player and once you got that run I seen it click with you and your smile was just awesome! You also put in some awesome big hits this week! I’m proud of you, you didn’t strop you took on board what I said and took it into your game and gave an awesome performance for all to see! Keep it up Logan was a great Game!

Thanks to Kellie Parr for pictures and for the film, we know how much time it will take with two games to sort through. We appreciate it!

Thanks to Wendy for all your work on the side lines running the game. We couldn’t do it without you, we appreciate it!

Thanks to Ste Crehan for the write up we appreciate all your hard work with it!