The Patriots travelled north to the home of the Super League team the Wakefield Wildcats. Their mission was to raise the curtain on the Super League fixture between the Wildcats and Saint Helens.
The team was short of a number of players and travelled with the bare minimum of 13 players. This would mean a long afternoon with no chance of substitutions, along with a number of players being asked to play out of position.
North Derbyshire had recruited a number of additional players from neighbouring clubs, to ensure a fantastic spectacle. The net result would however be their conceding the game 24-0 before the kick off.
Despite early pressure from the Patriots it was the Chargers who got out of the blocks quickest scoring a try on 6 minutes. It would not be long however before the Patriots hit back. After a massive break from Albarella and a quick play the ball, Colson crashed over to level the scores.
This would set the scene for the rest of the afternoon, with each side gaining a lead only to see it pegged back by the opposition. On 16 minutes, the Chargers took the lead again, only for Morrow to burst through with half the Chargers’ pack clinging to him for a leveller.
Another Chargers’ try before half time left the score at 12-8 to the Chargers.
The second half started brilliantly with first Dawson cheekily diving over from a quick play the ball and then Colson bagging his second smashing through the line just 9 minutes into the half.
The Chargers would respond with two tries of their own (converting one) to lead 22-16 with just two minutes on the clock. Step up hat-trick hero Colson for his third smash and grab raid on the Chargers’ line. This time Lewis converted in the wind to level the game.
We thought that this would be it, but to their credit the Chargers mustered one last effort to score with the last play of the game and pinch a very closely contested match.
The game was exhilarating to watch and play in. The pitch surface was a dream to play on. The work rate of the lads was top class. The fans that arrived early were treated to a great contest.
There were too many great moments for just one short report.
Ricardo Albarella’s safe hands and rampaging runs, breaking the line and smashing defenders were a real highlight. In Aidan Power, Northampton have their very own James Graham, leading by example in attack and defence. Sam Mobley and Joe Morrow made huge hits and Joe deserved his try. Joel Lewis kicked brilliantly (including a 40/20 the ref missed) and broke the line repeatedly.
and of course Wade Colson – three tries for a prop forward!!!
All the lads need to feel extremely pleased with their efforts today. They are a credit to the club in the way they conduct themselves both on and off the field of play.
Man of the match could easily have been Wade Colson, however Ricardo’s work rate and line breaks were a huge feature of this fixture. His tireless running and tackling earn him the main plaudits from a great day out.
Man of the match – Ricardo Albarella
Team Joe Winfield, Will Thornton, Greg Wood, Ben Sharp, Adam Young, Luke Smith, Joel Lewis (c), Sam Mobley, Max Dawson, Wade Colson, Ricardo Albarella, Joe Morrow, Aiden Power
Over the next two weeks Abbeyfield will make a small amount of history in the region as they field a team in every age group of the prestigious Carnegie Champion Schools Competition East Midlands Finals. Even more remarkable for the school is the way the sport has taken off since the first session there just [...]
What do you want out of the new season? My new job might keep me away from the demons this summer so if I do get some game time I will be hoping my old body can still produce the goods. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? In ten years I hope [...]
