With a third team in a row pulling out of a game with the Development squad (surely nothing to do with the outcome of the game before that ?) and a Cup Final to be play next weekend, it was clearly felt the Development Team needed some match practice to blow away the cobwebs.

So who could they call on ?

I’m not sure how much notice they had, or how big Arthur’s address book is, but the “All Star” XV (plus friends) was certainly littered with former Super Heros. A half back combination of John Laddell and Dan Stephens plus a pack which included at times Billy Coxon, Duncan Green, Gareth Gore, Craig Wilson and Andrew Hudson (plus probably plenty of others I did not recognise) certainly were not there to make up the numbers.

On Friday night I had almost added the tagline to Chris Downham’s team selection on the website, of “now for their toughest test” – As it turned out I may not have been too far out if I had.

I had seen Craig from the Supporters Club earlier in the morning, he suggested the Development pack may struggle against the All Stars, but the backs should run riot. He was right about the first part (on this performance I think some teams in the First XV league may have), but the “All Stars” held their own behind the pack as well.

An interesting opening showed this was to be far from a “friendly”, as the referee had to step in as Dan Stephens and a member of the Development team had a “difference of opinion”

A bit against the run of play, the Development took the lead with a well taken try from Dan Wilson converted by Nathan Wooff, but the All Stars hit back with three tries of their own, one set up by a galloping run from Andrew Hudson.

The Development Team were getting some good tackling practice as the “old stars” showed some excellent support play and had obviously been practicing their rolling maul. John Ladell, Gareth Gore and Craig Wilson reminded us how just how good they had been – there was no need for Billy Coxon to, as we hadn’t forgotten, but he still did.

Before half time the Development Squad hit back to take the lead with converted tries from Nathan Wooff and Mark Carruthers (who converted his from behind the posts as a player was getting treatment in from of them).

Any thought that the Development team would run away with the game in the second half, as the “all stars” tired were not to be.

Dan Stephens and John Laddell were both forced off with injuries, and with the Development team seeming reluctant to introduce their bench, they defected with Leo Mercer and Anthony Gage joining the All Star backline, but it was Nick Carlton (?) who seemed to be enjoying himself the most in their backline, and may have been disappointed when an injury to Mark Carruthers saw him call back into the Development Team.

Gareth Gore was frequently running penalties quickly, but it was Billy Coxon who showed how it should be done, ploughing over from close range before the opposition had a chance to re-group.

With so much experience in the All Star pack, they could not avoid trying to share it with the referee, which did lead to a few penalties against them (possibly cancelled out by a few awarded to them as well).

When they could get their hands on the ball the Development Team’s back division looked dangerous, with the first team experience of Nathan Wooff, Mark Caruthers and Alistair Thompson, and the speed of Benji Platt on one wing and Dan Wilson on the other, who often changed pace and direction, to leave defenders behind.

Towards the end Rob Quarry joined the All Stars but later switched sides due to an injury, whilst someone who looked like the Director of Rugby was loitering in the All Star back divisions.

Well done to all those involved in playing and arranging the game – and Best of Luck to the Development team for next weekend against Northwich – Hopefully there will be plenty of support at Wirral

If this is the standard of the “Social” team. If you want some entertainment, keep an eye out for their run outs next season.

1. Dan Reid
2. Dane Blenkharn
3. Tom Moulton
4. Rob Whiteman
5. James Thompson
6. Jack Gater
7. Garry Holmes
8. Dan Greenwood
9. Alex Burns
10. Nathan Woof
11. Dan Wilson
12. Mark Carruthers
13. Alistair Thompson
14. Benji Platt
15. Anthony Bingham

16. Nick Carlton
17. Anthony Gague
18. Leo Mercer
19. Adam Pashly