Hensingham Under-14s ended their home season with a win, defeating Leigh Miners Rangers Golds 6-4 in a close, hard fought and often grinding battle, writes Ben Challis.
It was played in the aftermath of Storm Amy, with slippery pitch and strong wind and occasional rain buffeting the players and spectators alike.
The win ensured Hensingham will be promoted in the North West Counties League. They currently sit in second spot with one game remaining, away at sixth placed Thatto Heat Crusaders, and the result of that game, alongside other results in the division will determine Hensingham’s final position in the table, but promotion was confirmed with the win over Leigh.
Whilst Leigh’s players were well organised and showed very good passing skills, the conditions made kicking and long passes a lottery, and Hensingham dominated the match for prolonged periods and took advantage of try line pressure to go over for their first (and as it transpired only) try when captain Oliver Murphy spotted a gap and scooted over from short range to go in under the sticks, and the try was converted by Olly McKee with eight minutes played.
Leigh responded just three minutes later with a try, but crucially that try wasn’t converted.
Despite Hensingham pressure on the Miners’ try line, ball fumbles, poor passing and some excellent Leigh defence meant the score was 6-4 at half time.
It was more of the same in the second half, and although Leigh managed to push back, and made a couple of fast breaks, Hensingham’s defence stood strong and repelled the visitors, and indeed with repeated attacks Hensingham came close to scoring at the other end, with man of the match Kolbi Joyce desperately unlucky not to get over for at least one try, if not two.
After the win Hensingham Under-14s head coach Nathan Murphy said: “It was a big decision to enter the lads into the NWC League.
“We entered as we wanted the lads to be tested, although we knew what they were capable of.
“We entered the League in Division 5, but after two strong outings in the National Cup and the NWC Cup at the start of the season, the league moved us up into Division 4.
“Our goal for the year was just to enjoy playing, and finish as high as we could. I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of the lads that have put a shirt on for us this year, and they have all played their hearts out in every game.
“We have had some highs and some lows, but today’s win, in awful conditions, makes it all worthwhile.
“The lads deserve this promotion and it’s a tribute to the way their hard work, their commitment, and they way they have played this season. I am proud to be their coach.”
