O’Callaghan laments latest Waterloo horror show

Apr 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

DOWN in 11th in National Two, although well clear of relegation, it has not been the best of seasons for the Blundellsands club, who were relegated last season after just one campaign in National One.

They have had two points deducted for fielding an unregistered player and with rumblings off the field as to what the future holds there is a certain amount of uncertainty.

Last week they won the Lancashire Cup against the Sedgley Park second string but as on too many occasions during the season they were unable to follow that up with a win over bottom club Halifax last Saturday, only the second win for the Yorkshire side this season.

“It was so embarrassing that I suggested they send the DVD to the club to show next Halloween,” was head coach Chris O’Callaghan tongue-in-cheek comment after the 20-7 defeat.

The club have some good players and an arrangement with Sale Sharks which has allowed them to tap into their Jets (second team) side for players such as Chris Parrott, Alex Shaw and Rob O’Donnell.

Unfortunately, rarely able to field the same line-up week by week due to injury, they have been inconsistent and with most of the squad still in their early 20s they have at times lacked that mental toughness which maturity often brings.

“We are a young side and we do not as yet have that tough mental edge that you need in this competition,” O’Callaghan conceded.

“We have learnt a lot this season and hopefully we can reap the benefit next term.”