UCLan Men’s 1sts 4

Edge Hill 1sts 48

UCLan Rugby League 1sts came unstuck against a well-organised Edge Hill 1sts side, going down to a 48-4 defeat at UCLan Sports Arena.

It was a case of effort but no end product for the UCLan team, who battled resiliently for 80 minutes, but lacked the finesse to cross the whitewash too often.

The first 20 minutes were positive for the home side, as Edge Hill were penned into their own half more often than not, but UCLan’s inability to score whilst mounting the pressure was a sign of things to come.

Twice, Edge Hill were pegged back into their in-goal area, but both times the visitors escaped.

Then, just as UCLan were beginning to look settled, Edge Hill scored in the corner; the UCLAN defence left scrambling.

But a close contest was not on the cards as Edge Hill touched down three more times in the opening 40 minutes to lead 22-0 at the break.

Unfortunately for UCLan, the second half started as the first had finished, with a try.

Edge Hill patiently played the ball along the line before diving under the sticks easily.

The conversion followed and the away side led 28-0.

But UCLan were not to be denied a try, and on the 50 minute mark, they bagged their first and only points of the afternoon.

UCLan had the ball at the scrum following an Edge Hill knock-on, and the ball was played across to the left wing where Zac McCluskey charged forward and grounded beside the flag.

The conversion was wayward, but the score was now 28-4.

Any hopes of a UCLan comeback were immediately dashed.

Barely three minutes after scoring, UCLan’s line failed to hold firm, and Edge Hill ran through to score, diminishing any UCLan optimism.

Edge Hill led 32-4 after 55 minutes, and they were in again right under the posts two minutes later.

This time, the conversion was spot-on and Edge Hill increased their lead to 38-4.

The final 20 minutes of the match were to prove futile for UCLan, who rather than gaining ground on the opponents, lost more.

A couple of tries and a conversion in the last 17 minutes, condemning the home side to a 48-4 loss.

UCLan’s Josh Rogerson said, “Key players were missing today, particularly in the forwards, such as John Rushen who we are probably too dependent on.

“But I believe we have the quality in this team to turn results around and get back to winning ways.”

By Callum Gormally

A nightmare started contributed to the Men’s Rugby League 1sts crashing to their second consecutive heavy defeat of the season as they were crushed 45-18 by St Mary’s University.

The visitors began the game in rapid fashion and had their first try after just two minutes. UCLan couldn’t repel the early pressure from St Mary’s and eventually the forwards powered over to open the scoring with the conversion being added.

With another two quick converted tries from the away side, UCLan suddenly found themselves 18-0 down after just eight minutes and staring down the barrel of another hammering.

Halfway through the first half, UCLan began to stir and found a try of their own through captain Ben Waters. Some good pressure inside the visitors’ territory and quick ball allowed Waters to dive over in the corner and put UCLan on the scoreboard. Mark Lees was unfortunate to miss the conversion.

Three minutes before half time and UCLan thought they had got themselves back in the game. Constant pressure on the St Mary’s line was too much for the away side to handle and Josh Rogerson powered through to cross for UCLan’s second try. Lees was unsuccessful with the conversion once again, but the hosts were fighting back.

But just as UCLan had put themselves in with a chance, the visitors then went straight to the other end from the restart and grabbed their fourth converted try to hand them a 24-8 lead at the interval.

The second half began as the first half had ended with St Mary’s adding both a drop goal and a converted try.

UCLan were guilty of missing tackles on the visitors’ stand-off as he crossed to extend the lead to 31-8.

Both sides then exchanged tries as the game swung one way then the other.

Firstly, Lees hung a superb kick up high and Zac McClusky was on hand virtually under the posts to catch and score UCLan’s third try of the afternoon.

Just three minutes later and St Mary’s showed why they were the better side on the day. As they moved the ball quickly through the hands of several players, they created a gap in the home defence and slid over under the posts.

There was a positive for Rogerson as he scored his second try of the game in the corner following a good move from UCLan, but St Mary’s responded in the final few minutes with two more scores to give them a deserved 45-18 victory at full-time.

UCLan captain Ben Waters said after the game: “We’ve got 20 new players this season and it will take some time for the squad to gel together.

“We didn’t turn up last week (vs Gloucestershire) but I saw some positives from this game, including the fact that we scored tries and got points on the board.

“It was a good effort by the lads today and it gives us something to build on heading into next week.”

By Ashley Lambell

UCLan Rugby League 1sts started off their season in the worst possible fashion, as they were on the receiving end of a 40-0 hammering by University of Gloucestershire 1sts.

An awful day for the 1sts was rounded off by an injury to Josh Rogerson in the first-half; the loose-forward blacking out following a hefty tackle from a Gloucester player with UCLan penned in their own 20 metres.

UCLan, playing in the top tier of University rugby league, never really got going, with a lack of discipline hampering their chances against a Gloucester side that played with confidence.

However, the opening 10 minutes were promising for the hosts, with UCLan heading towards their opponent’s try line more often than defending their own.

But on the quarter-hour mark, UCLan began to display the errors that would cost them later.

A penalty for offside gifted field position to Gloucester, and from the resulting set they took the lead for the first time, barging over in the right corner for a 4-0 lead.

Behind but not broken, UCLan turned up the tempo but in the process conceded a number of penalties which halted their progress.

Then, just as UCLan thought they were on the cusp of drawing level, Gloucester pressed forward scoring two converted tries in a couple of minutes to extend the visitors’ lead to 16-0.

Barely a minute later, UCLan’s Rogerson suddenly slumped on the pitch, blacking out momentarily, before being helped to the touchline to recover.

Whilst Rogerson watched on, team-mate Sam Hull produced a great last-ditch tackle to deny Gloucester a fourth try, but that try came on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a 20-0 lead at the break.

As the second-half began, UCLan 1sts knew they needed to score quickly to get back in the game.

Gloucester, however, had other ideas, and glided over the whitewash three times in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half to virtually kill-off any hopes of a UCLan revival.

Frustrated, UCLan trailed 36-0 on the hour.

The effort was still there, but in reality UCLan 1sts knew they were chasing a lost cause and it was to no great surprise that the visitors hit the 40-point mark in the closing moments to take a 40-0 victory at full-time.

UCLan’s Josh Rogerson, injured earlier, commented; “We’ll be better. We know we were awful, simply awful today. But believe me we’ll be better.”

By Callum Gormally

A Chris Mugan hat-trick inspired Rugby League to a hard-fought 32-24 victory at home to St Mary’s.

“I was buzzing with the hat-trick, especially after a poor personal performance last week (in the 12-20 Challenge Cup defeat to Northumbria University),” said Mugan,” our team spirit is exactly why it is so good to play for UCLan.”

St Mary’s, who lie directly above UCLan in the Super 8s table, found themselves a try down within 45 seconds as Mugan capitalised on Ryan Cosgrove’s darting run following a knock-on directly from kick-off.  Danny O’Brien converted to increase the early advantage.

The lead was deserved as the home side looked untroubled in defence and potent in attack, a point they emphasised with a second try on 17 minutes.  The game had become deadlocked after the opener, but Kurtis Marsh broke through the St Mary’s line before being tackled.  Support was quick to arrive and Richard Huby was on-hand to ensure UCLan doubled their tally.

Far superior in almost every respect, a third arrived only six minutes later.  Mugan again touched down on the left flank, but O’Brien was unable to add the two points.

Jonathan Peers constantly threatened against the increasingly beleaguered visiting defence and was held up short on one occasion with his side threatening to run riot.

UCLan have often been quick out of the blocks this season, but their inability to hang on to leads has been costly.  The fightback began with ten minutes of the first-half still to play.  A cross-field kick outfoxed the home side’s defence allowing a simple try that struck without warning.  The resurgent visitors suddenly found confidence and another kick was misjudged to allow a second try, although missed conversions for both saw an eight-point gap at the interval.

It could have been worse for UCLan, as they lost their discipline at the end of the first-half, culminating in Ross Shepard’s departure to the sin bin.

They would be less fortunate after the break as St Mary’s ran in a controversial third as the winger appeared to clearly run out of touch before touching down.  Despite the obvious infringement, there was no touch judge to give the decision and the referee had little alternative but to award a try.  The kick sailed over the posts to pile on the misery for UCLan and leave St Mary’s snapping at their heels.

With the match on a knife-edge, both sides traded blows in search of a winner in a scintillating 13 minute spell.  A whirlwind passing move from left to right unleashed Marsh who struck to restore UCLan’s six-point lead before the opposition captain put his side on level terms with a powerful drive through the heart of the home defence.

Mugan’s treble arrived shortly after following Paul Lowery’s smartly-placed grubber kick to give UCLan an unassailable.  Another converted try from Marsh, with Lowery once again providing the killer pass, saw his side home and dry.

UCLan’s captain Peers thought he had put the finishing touches to the side’s  second triumph of their inaugural season at this level, but the ball escaped his grasp at the vital moment with the try line beckoning.  His opposite number would, however, trigger an uncomfortable conclusion to the match with another forceful try from the St Mary’s skipper, although it would only be a consolation.

The win gave UCLan breathing space with basement side Gloucestershire seemingly heading for the ‘wooden spoon’.  Another positive result in next week’s clash at Hull could see the side reach mid-table before the season-ending televised meeting with Northumbria.

By Liam Geraghty

A spirited second-half fightback couldn’t prevent the Rugby League 1sts slumping to their fifth defeat of the Super 8’s with a 34-14 reverse at home to Loughborough 1sts.

Looking to bounce back from their 60-6 hammering at Leeds Metropolitan last week, the hosts were out of the blocks quickly and after just four minutes, they had the lead. Quick hands allowed Ross Shepherd to go over in the corner and after Ryan Cosgrove’s conversion, UCLan lead 6-0.

The visitor’s response was rapid and, within two minutes, they restored parity. After putting pressure on the UCLan line, the Loughborough stand-off found a gap and went over before he added the conversion to make it 6-6 with only seven minutes on the clock.

Loughborough, lying in 2^nd place in the league table, then started to dominate the game. With plenty of possession, a second try seemed inevitable, but the visitors seemed to suffer from stage fright as they dropped the ball twice on the home side’s line.

On 22 minutes, the away side finally took the lead at the third attempt. The visitors had over a minute of pressure in the UCLan 22 and they managed to crash over and score for a 12-6 lead.

UCLan responded well and had chances of their own, but were hit with a sucker punch on 31 minutes as Loughborough added to their tally in the corner to extend their lead to 16-6.

On the stroke of half-time, the away side moved out of sight. After powering over the line, the Loughborough scorer looked to have been held up by the home defence, but the referee gave the try. A simple conversion meant that the visitors led 22-6 at the interval.

The hosts came out fired up after the break and reduced the arrears on 47 minutes. A carbon copy of their opening try, with the ball being spun out wide at pace, led to Matthew Thomas going over in the corner for 22-10. 

The home fightback continued and on 64 minutes, Cosgrove broke through the visiting defence to go over and despite missing the conversion, the score was back to 22-14.

However, as soon as UCLan thought they were back into the game, they conceded another try on 66 minutes in strange circumstances. The referee disallowed the first Loughborough try yet gave the visitors a scrum. From there, they worked the ball well to score and added the conversion to make it 28-14.

Loughborough put an almost unjust gloss to the score line with the last play of the game and a converted try made the final score 34-14 to the visitors, which seemed harsh on a spirited UCLan.

Captain Jonathan Peers said after the game: “We are disappointed because it was a close game, but we were missing seven or eight players so it wasn’t an awful result.

“It was a good performance, especially in the second half, and we hope to bounce back from this.”

By Ashley Lambell

Rugby League registered their first win of the season in a 26-14 victory over the University of Gloucestershire 1sts at UCLan Sports Arena.

UClan went into the clash level on points with their opponents, but a professional display saw them condemn Gloucestershire to the bottom of the BUCS Super 8s.

The home side didn’t have it all their own way as they fell behind within two minutes.  Gloucestershire’s first foray into the UCLan half saw their number nine collect his own grubber kick and touchdown to ensure a four-point advantage.

The deficit was cut almost instantly as UCLan replied before their opponents could even catch breath.

Four minutes after falling behind, Jonathan Peers gave his side the lead with a powerful try; charging through the defence with ease.  Ryan Cosgrove converted to give the hosts a two-point lead after both teams’ first meaningful attacks.

Both sides continued to trade blows with little impact on the scoresheet as Peers was held up on the line- with the aid of the post- as he was gunning for a second try and the visitors also came close to another breakthrough.

UCLan’s persistence paid off after 20 minutes as Chris Mugan extended the advantage.  A patient attack saw them make the most of their six tackles until Mugan feinted past his marker and beat him to the line.  The kick flew over the posts and there was now an eight-point gap between the two sides.

Gloucestershire would not lie down and fought back with a converted try of their own around the half-hour mark.  The visitors caught the UCLan defence unawares after a lengthy stoppage for an injury and took advantage to touch down.

The game was tightly-contested as both teams seemed well-matched, but UCLan put daylight between the sides with a scintillating score that saw them take a 16-10 lead into the break. Peers, Cosgrove and Mugan all contributed with rapid passing, allowing Ross Shepard to register on the left flank.

The second half has seen UCLan throw away leads on previous occasions this season, but a strong defence and improved organisation- possibly down to coach Marc Simon’s appearance on the touchline- saw them see out the game.

There was a stalemate for the first 20 minutes of the half as UCLan had plenty of territory, but failed to penetrate. Kurtis Marsh put that right after he chased a kick and beat the defence to leave his side tantalisingly close to three points.

The win was all but confirmed with ten minutes to spare with another impressive try.  A long pass from Jordan Melling found the waiting Mugan who powerfully sprinted into space before releasing Cosgrove with a reverse pass to tie up the win.

A consolation for Gloucestershire ensured a tense finish, but UCLan saw out the dying minutes to scenes of relief at the final whistle.

“It’s a weight off our shoulders,” said Melling “The coach can take a lot of credit. He gives us a different perspective out on the field.

“He came in about halfway through last year and really helps in terms of training and making switches during the games.”

Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie await in next week’s away trip as UCLan seek to make it back-to-back victories and rise up the league.

By Liam Geraghty

Rugby League 1sts threw away a commanding lead to go down 30-16 to Hull 1sts.

Still searching for their first win in the Super 8’s, UCLan raced into a sixteen point advantage before the visitors pegged them back emphatically.

The opening ten minutes was a cagey affair as neither side dominated territory and both defences stood firm.  Three tries in the following ten minutes totally changed the complexion of the match as UCLan took charge of the game.

The impasse was broken by Paul Lowery, who was on hand to cross the try-line after Ryan Cosgrove made the first break of the game.  Skipping past two tackles, Cosgrove found UCLan players flooding the flank and Lowery was at the front of the queue to easily score.  Cosgrove converted to give his side a six-point advantage.

Two tries in the next six minutes saw UCLan take charge of the match.  Chris Mugan followed up a Cosgrove kick to put the home side well into their opponents’ territory and found the waiting Ross Shephard to double UCLan’s lead.

While the Hull defence were still reeling from the blitz, UCLan struck again.  A swift interchange of passes between Jordan Melling and Lowery bewildered the opposition allowing Lowery to take his second try.  Cosgrove, however, could not make it three kicks from three as his conversion attempt drifted wide and saw UCLan only sixteen points ahead.

The third try finally saw Hull rally and the fightback began in earnest on 21 minutes as the visitors began to increase the pressure.  A grubber kick penetrated the UCLan backline, but the defence held firm as Hull seemed on the brink of a try.

After they were held up on the line two minutes later, it seemed the breakthrough was inevitable.  It came on 28 minutes after Hull forced their way through the defence on the wing.

With the conversion missed, UCLan still held a twelve point-lead, but that was cut further before the break as Hull crossed the whitewash once again.  The home side’s possession was turned over inside Hull’s 22 and the break was quick and incisive, leaving UCLan with an eight point lead at the break.

The second-half followed a different pattern as UCLan collapsed.  Four tries in thirteen minutes turned the game on its head as UCLan could find no response to Hull’s attack.

As Hull began to turn the screw; missed tackles, penalties and knock-ons started to mount for the home side.  UCLan struggled to regain possession and were regularly punished.

Two minutes into the second period, Hull were quickest to a loose ball and the resulting kick left them with the simple task of touching down to take them within two points of their opponents.

A mix of pace and power then saw them overtake UCLan’s score almost at will as the home side wilted.

“We did really well in parts,” said debutant Chris Mugan. “It’s a game of rugby at the end of the day.”

The search for victory takes the side to Edge Hill University next week as they look to advance up the league.

By Liam Geraghty

A title winning season secured with a victory over their nearest rivals on home turf, it has certainly been a season to remember for the Rugby League Men’s 1sts.

A new challenge now beckons in the Super Eights, but right back at the start of the season what were the aims?

Vice Captain Jonathan Peers has been filling us in: “It went very well to be honest, at the start of the season we wanted to win the league.  We managed to and we got a lot further in the cup than we expected, in reaching the quarter finals.”

A 20-4 victory over Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie 2nds on the opening day sparked a remarkable run of form which saw them win seven consecutive games.

The turn of the year though didn’t start too well, with a demoralising 50-0 loss at the side they defeated on the opening day.

This was followed up with another loss, this time at Liverpool John Moores 1sts before the crucial decider on home turf.

Newcastle 1sts made the trip to Preston sitting top of the league, with UCLan knowing anything but victory would give the visitors top spot.

However the side responded in the best way possible, by crushing their opponents 28-6 to take the title by a point, in what Peers described as his moment of the season.

“The highlight of the season was of course winning the league, which we managed at home against Newcastle,” added Peers.

With top spot secured by the slenderest of margins, a step up now awaits next season.

“Hopefully for next year, when we’re playing in the Super Eights, we have basically got to make sure that we have two successful teams in two leagues. Our aims are to compete in the Super Eights and stay in that league for next year.”

Before then though one highlight still awaits this season.

“We’ve got a presentation, so we don’t find out until then who the players of the season have been.”

By Craig Davies

Deputy Sports Editor

Ryan Cosgrove kicks a conversion in UCLan's win over Gloucestershire

UCLan 34-12 Gloucestershire

Twelve man UCLan eased to a convincing victory over a poor Gloucestershire.

Despite Matthew Lees red card with just over 20 minutes to go, the hosts kept the, progressing to the semi finals of the knockout cup.

Gloucestershire started the better of the two sides, but couldn’t capitalise and when UCLan found their feet they didn’t look back.

Three tries in a frantic 10 minute spell, all but spelt the end of the encounter midway through the first half.

A Paul Lowery try sandwiched between Matthew Huby’s double eased the pressure, and highlighted the defensive problems that hampered the visitors play all afternoon.

Just three minutes after the latter though, it seemed to be turning sour for the home side.

Double try scorer Huby first got sin binned for aiming foul language at the referee, and Gloucestershire made UCLan pay.

A try with 15 minutes left gave the away side a glimmer of hope, but when back at full strength that hope quickly evaporated.

Chris Hamnet and Kurtis Marsh both crossed the whitewash before the end of the first half, with Ryan Cosgrove converting the latter adding his second of three for the day.

The half time score read 24-6, and this was quickly extended after the restart.  Good work from Lowery put in Ben Waters, who went over in the corner.

Lees red card resulted in a period of pressure for the visitors, but UCLan’s defence refused to buckle and set a platform for another try.

After good work to break from an attempted tackle, Marsh evaded the defence and went over for his second of the day.

Gloucestershire did restore some pride with a converted try as the match wore on, but it was UCLan who progressed with a 34-12 win.

By Craig Davies

Deputy Sports Editor

UCLan 28-6 Newcastle

Promotion to the national Super 8 league awaits for UCLan Rugby League, as they won the premier league north with a 28-6 victory in the title decider against Newcastle.

Newcastle topped the table by one point going into the game, but Matt Thomas’s two tries helped ensure it was UCLan celebrating come full time.

Straight from the kick off UCLan pushed forward, taking the lead as early as the 5^th minute through Ryan Cosgrove.  Richard Huby broke through the defence before offloading to Cosgrove who touched down under the posts, and added the conversion himself.

It took 15 minutes for Newcastle to make any impression on the game, nearly getting a try of their own but the UCLan defence held out keeping them just short of the line.

The hosts then went from their own line right down the other end as Matt Thomas bust through the defence before setting up Chris Hamnett to score.

The visitors did get on the score sheet though 10 minutes later, eventually finding a way through after a couple of near misses.

Thomas had a great chance to get a third try for UCLan but he knocked on with two men free on the overlap 10 meters out.

With half time approaching UCLan pushed forward.  Both Luke Coverdale and Jordan Melling coming close before a grubber kick got a lucky bounce to Thomas who completed the try. A second conversion made it 16-6 at the break.

Despite Jonathan Peers being sent to the sin bin, UCLan kept up the pressure on Newcastle at the start of the second half.  Even with the man advantage though the away side were still camped well in their own half.  UCLan got their reward after 55 minutes with a fourth try and conversion to stretch the lead.

Newcastle pressed looking for the tries to bring them back into the game, however UCLan kept out everything thrown at them.

Peers refreshed from his spell in the sin bin, was at the front line of the defence with a number of crunching tackles.  Along with Kurtis Marsh and Huby they prevented tries on numerous occasions.

As time ran out, Peers completed his stunning performance by setting up Thomas for his second try which sealed the victory with five minutes to go

As the final whistle sounded cue wild celebrations which will have latest long into the night.

Captain Paul Lowery was pleased with the progress over the last three years: “we won the league below, then stayed up and now won this league, and got into the Super 8, I couldn’t have asked any more from the guys.

“I always had faith that we would come through, we had a couple of slip ups, but still believed we would win today.”

By Ciaran Thomas