By Chris McGrath

When will they ever learn. After an excellent performance in the semi-final of the floodlite cup last wednesday night,seeing off Prenton 12-0 Sunlight came crashing back down to earth.

Now this column does not claim to be rugby genius so forgive me if i'm mistaken, but i always thought that when everything is going along nicely in a rugby season then it is the fans and not the players who are supposed to sit back, relax and while away the minutes until fulltime. However the roles seem to have been reversed. Sunlight hadn't even set foot on the pitch before Runcorn had scored their first 2 tries. There were 15 people who looked like sunlight players and wearing the same strip, but manaquins in Topman would have put up more defence than this lot. Now I'm aware that the 1st team had players missing through injury, and were probably missing 5 , but to be as convincingly beaten, let me rephrase that, hammered by Runcorn is nothing more than an embarrasment.

The same fixture last October resulting in an unfortunate defeat again to sunlight 7-6 had very unlucky written all over it. So coming here for the return match we should be thinking that we were at least in with a chance. Well it looks like the supermarket was closed when skipper Robin ward went shopping for the vital ingredients of commitment, tackling and fire in the belly.

Runcorn waltzed through the ambling sunlight defence at will and scoring 2 length of the field tries in the process . The only players that put in any effort were centre Lewis and the backrow of Evans, Garret and Grayson who stemmed the flow of the Runcorn attack albeit briefly and fullback and second row respectively Jones and Stockford who kept trying until the end. Second row Steve Cropper also worked hard but was given little support and after making his debut today must have wished he was still in the 2nd team.

The lineout was abismal and the combination of hooker White and the jumpers in the line should have removed the lead weights from their ankles before the game started. The halfback combination of Taylor and Parry was also woeful and their contribution to the match of poor decision making and weak defence only shows up the lack of talent coming through the grades. The backs defence had more holes than a brothel and the inability of outside centre Spence to close down his man early ,led to a knockon effect to the fullback and wingers Randles and Cullen who were both clearly lost from start to finish. The highlights of the day was surely Cullens lineout throw to himself as he stood in his own 22 with the wind in his face and 2 off the opposition bearing down on him. He hooked the ball staight into the adjoining woods and gave Runcorn possesion from the ensuing throw. The ball went crashing into a bramble thicket and took 10 minitus to fetch out. It was a shame that Cullen hadnt followed it in. Comment of the day was from one of sunlights elder members when spotting ambling prop Clarke move towards a scrum at what can best be described as a gentle pace, said " i've seen more life in a day old pint ." Skipper Ward, who's own performance was patchy at best can only take solace that coach Pete Metcalf was unavailable to travel to this match and was spared his immediete wrath but should not be looking forward to training this week.

On the upside for Sunlight they were beaten today by a commited team who won the league with this match and still have 3 matches to go, although I dont think Runcorn could improve on this performance. On the downside they meet Runcorn again in the quarter final of the cheshire plate in 3 weeks and I am convinced that Sunlight who played so well last wednesday can not only beat Runcorn then, but beat them easily. However in order to do this they must take a long hard look at themselves and gather the passion and commitment that they had in previous matches this season.

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Capenhurst 1XV 0pts v Port Sunlight 1XV 28pts

The cold night air brought out fans from both clubs. But Port Sunlight RFC, the competition associates brought the majority, which was great to see.

The match kicked off, on the stroke of 7:00pm and Sunlight who were favourites for the tie soon took the edge.

Within 5 minutes from the kick off, there was great work from Chris Parry with a kick from within the Sunlight half to 5 meters within the Capenhurst 22. The ensued lineout produced a good catch from Adam Metcalfe, and he bundled over the Capenhurst line to make the score 5-0. Neil Harris eased his early nerves, and kicked the conversion, to make the score 7-0.

Sunlight domineered the first half, and spent the majority of time camped in the Capenhurst half, with only Capenhurst’s scrum half Sam Hubbard (former Waterloo / New Brighton and Sunlight) menacing the Sunlight pack. The next score took a further 20 minutes, for Port Sunlight. Captain Robin Ward electing for Neil Harris to kick a penalty.

A further 10 minutes and a push over try for Sunlight, with the powerhouse of Steve Silcock to drive over. Neil Harris again converted. With the last kick of the half, Neil Harris kicked yet another penalty to make the score at half time 20 - 0pts to Sunlight. Capenhurst replaced hooker (and former Sunlight player) Brett Hoare, which appeared to put on more experience in the pack.

Sunlight again dominated from the kick off, although a Capenhurst did attempt to make a game of it, and full credit to them. But Sunlight’s recently improved defence kept Capenhurst out.

Capenhurst made a forced change, when their lock limped off, with what looked like a rib injury. So again they had to reshuffle the pack. Sunlight looked calm, and played some exceptional rugby, which excited the watching crowd. A special mention to Sunlight’s wingers Colin Leech and Anthony McCarthy who looked sharp, and caused the Capenhurst backs some severe problems.

Sunlight’s full back Pete Jones gave the crowd something to remember with his heading of the ball, which would have impressed a football crowd! Neil Harris made the score 23-0 with a penalty kick after 60mins. Experienced Coach Peter Metcalfe encouraging Sunlight to take the points, and keep the pressure on. Sam Hubbard decided to show the Sunlight pack a few of his old tricks, when he dived under the feet of Silcock, at the back of the scrum to capture the ball! How the ref missed it, was beyond belief, but then we don’t have to be in 10 places at once.

The final scrum of the game produced, the final try, and ultimately the final action of the game, when Sunlight’s scrum half Karl Taylor, picked up from the back and lunged towards the try line to make the score 28 - 0. Unusually Neil Harris missed the conversion, but on this occasion it didn’t effect the result. The ref blew to the delight of both players, and the now cold jubilant fans.

Sunlight go through to the next round (which is the semi-finals) against a probable more difficult fixture against Prenton (who won 21-5 against Parkonains the previous week) on Wednesday 8th March. If Sunlight play like they did tonight, then they’ve got to be in with a chance. Make a date with your diaries!

Sunlight Team:-Robin Ward (Capt.), Chris Lister, Dunk Clarke, Steve Stockford, Matthew Metclafe, Mark Grayson, Adam Metcalfe, Steve Silcock, Karl Taylor, Chris Parry, Anthony McCarthy, Neil Harris, Ross Lewis, Colin Leech, Peter Jones. Subs:-Simon Byrne, James Winrow, Phil Cullen

Capenhurst Team:-Ken Marlowe, Breet Hoare, Dave Basnett, Paul Thorneylow, Ted Roberts, John Pay, Richard Newsham, Chris Fay (Capt.), Sam Hubbart, Andy Forrest, Lee Gill, Paul Forster, Graham Bowers, Ray Read, Ray Brennan. Subs:- Mark Bush, Derek Johnson, John Lewis, Andy Cartwright.

Referee: Jim Bennett (L’Pool Soc.)
Referee’s Assistants: Gary Walsh, Tony Whitney

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By Chris McGrath

Saturday, 22nd January 2000

Cheshire plate 1st round. The conditions for this game were dreadful, a howling wind going lengthways over the pitch would ensure a game of two halves. Wallasey having won the toss opted to play into the wind. An option scoffed at by Sunlights Eric Evans,a veteran of the sea who bears an uncanny resemblance to Grandad of 'only fools and horses' who suggested the wind could change soon and the advantage should be used immedietly.This advantage was seized by Sunlight as they tore into Wallasey with an exuberance previously unseen this season. Wallasey some 3 divions higher went a try down within 5 minutes after good recycling from the sunlight pack and moving the ball at the right time swiftly across the backline to winger Colin Leach who touched down unopposed in the corner. The conversion was duely added by Neil Harris.

With the restart failng to make the '10'. Sunlight again siezed the opportunity to press their advantage and Fly half Chris Parry kicked to the Wallasey 5 metre line after the ensuing scrum. Wallasey failed to win thier own lineout and possesion was scooped up by Chris Lister for another try in the corner. The conversion was put wide by Harris. Sunlight although coming close on a couple of occasions could not add to thier score. At the turnaround Wallasey chasing only 12 points should have used their superior possesion better but used thier options poorly. it was in fact Sunlight who came closest to adding to their tally after good forward work.Midway through the half they had the opportunity to either move the ball to the backs or go for a 'pushover' when camped on the Wallasey line. But their inability to use common sense at the scrumbase led to a succession of 'turned' scrums and a knock on enabling Wallasey to clear thier lines. The remainder of the second half was a defence oriantated affair with Wallasey becoming more and more frustrated. This led to a number of niggling confrontations between the two packs. These were ended when Sunlight skipper Robin Ward floored one of Wallaseys repeat offenders. Good games from Lister, Mark Grayson, Ross Lewis and the ever improving Parry enabled Sunlight finished the game strongly and proved that they can go the distance for 80 minutes.

They should now be looking forward to a visit from Halton in this weekends league fixture. And take the opportunity to avenge a narrow defeat earlier in the season.

Team:-R.Ward, Lister, Clark, Stockford, M.Metcalfe, Grayson, Silcot, A.Metcalfe, Tate, Parry, Cullen (Byrne), Harris, Lewis, Leech, Jones

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By Chris McGrath

11th September 1999

In thier first league outing of the season sunlight scraped to victory at the death.

The first half was a dreary affair with both sides unable to make thier mark on the match. Parkonians started the game with more commitment but failed to ignight and ran out of steam after 30 minutes.Thier backline causing some problems for sunlight backs who snaffled out the attack only yards from the line on two occasions. Sunlight however scored an opportunist try through Kered Duncalf when good work by Terry Mcmanus caused Parkonians to lose possesion eventuating in Duncalf outsprinting the cover defence and allowing a simple conversion for Karl Taylor.

Parkonians came back with a burst from the restart and missed two penalties before half time to go in 7-0 down. Much to the dismay of both sets of fans the second half started similar to the first with, if anythihg Parkonians slightly the better. Taylor missed a couple of of penalties befofe adding one to give sunlight a 10 point buffer.This was undeserved as sunlights forwards had played poorly and what little ball they won was kicked straight back to Parkonians. Sunlight continually failed to find touch with penalties or ball won from thier 22 ,and subsequent pressure let Parkonians in for an unconverted try. Sunlight eventually came to life and some harsh words from pack leader Steve Silcock sparked them into some good scrummages and driving mauls .However a sunlight fumble from a Parkonians penalty resulted in 'Parks' scoring under the posts to give them a 12-10 lead.Sunlight came back strongly from the kickoff and in the dying seconds scored a try through Jeff Ebrell who had worked hard throughout the game.A loud cheer from Sunlight fans and players was released at the final whistle knowing they should never have won. If they play like this for the rest of the season they will be relagated,thier link between backs and forwards is weak and the disipline of most of the team is a disgrace. With their uncompramising coach Pete Metcalf back from his holidays next week they can count themselves extremely lucky they won.