1st XV Cup Finalists 2017-18
Chorley RUFC NWIRUL Cup Final
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5th May 2018
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Chorley 1st XV v Liverpool St. Helens 2nd XV
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Venue: Widnes RUFC
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Chorley began the 2017/18 season with high hopes following a strong finish to the previous season. Strengthened by the return of several former players, the season had exceeded expectation. Chorley went into this final having won 19 of the last 20 games. As a result, Chorley we’re on the way to securing their second promotion in three seasons.
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This was Chorley’s first appearance in the Bowl final for 30 years. We went into the game as underdogs against an experienced Liverpool St Helens side.
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The game was played at a high tempo despite the summer heat. LSH got off to the stronger start, spreading play well and dominating at the breakdown early on. Their star man was an ex-professional rugby league player who orchestrated most of their play. Simon Frost was unlucky to see a try disallowed, as Chorley went into the break 27-3 down.
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The second half saw a number of changes from LSH as they noticeably substituted a number of their better players. The more recognisable LSH side conceded early on in the second half thanks to some great work from number 8 Michael Jessiman, finished under the posts by Chris Highton. Gwil Jones came off the wing to score a cracker of a try with Rick Wareing’s penalties pulling us back into the game. Chorley grew stronger in the set piece and saw much more ball as the game went on. But the late surge wasn’t enough to overcome the first half deficit.
A duly deserved 44-31 win for LSH on a memorable day for Chorley RUFC. Captain Dave Martin cut a sombre figure after the game “it’s disappointing to come off second best today as we came here to win. We were full of confidence after the run we’ve had.”
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“It was a tough ask in the first half but I’m proud of the way we showed our mettle and won the second 40. I can’t fault anyone for the commitment and the effort, not just today but this whole year - it’s our best season in 30 years so we’ve done the club proud. Especially with everything off the field and no club house, the club was up against the wall but we’ve come out of it a much stronger team. I can’t speak highly enough of this group of players, very proud to have been part of it”.
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As Bowl Final runners-up, Chorley then went on to secure promotion in Division 3 North.
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Coaches: Andy Kavanagh, John Witts
Try scorers: Chris Highton, Gwil Jones, James Fisher, James Ellison
Man of the match: Chris Highton
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