🏉 Match Report: Orrell St James v Accrington Wildcats U9s

Date: Sunday, 22nd March 2026
Venue: Orrell St James

The Accrington Wildcats U9s kicked off their 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion this past Sunday, travelling away to face a tough Orrell St James side. In what turned out to be a thrilling season opener, the hard work and dedication shown by the squad during a grueling preseason was evident for all to see.

It was a complete team performance from our mixed squad of boys and girls, with every player contributing to a fast-paced and high-energy game.

🛡️ Defensive Masterclass

While the scoring caught the eye, it was the defensive effort across the board that truly defined the match. Every single player got involved, showing incredible grit and determination to hold the line.

From textbook one-on-one tackles to cohesive goal-line stands, the Wildcats’ defensive energy never dipped. It was a proud moment for the coaching staff to see every boy and girl working for one another, proving that our preseason defensive drills have laid a rock-solid foundation for the year ahead.

📈 Scoring Summary

The Wildcats were clinical in attack, crossing the line through some excellent collective efforts:

• Dexter: 8 Tries
• Liam: 2 Tries
• Henry: 2 Tries
• Thomas: 1 Try

🏆 Player Awards

• Coaches’ Player of the Match – Henry: Delivered a masterclass in leadership. Not only was his all-round play outstanding, but his communication and organisation were vital throughout.
• Coaches’ Player of the Match – Joseph: An incredible debut! Joseph put in a brilliant shift with strong all-round play. A very promising start to his Wildcats career.
• Supporters’ Player of the Match – Joseph: The travelling fans recognised Joseph’s tireless work rate and impact, voting him their player of the match.

✨ Magic Moments

• William: Provided a moment of pure class with a superb offload that led directly to a try, showing great awareness.
• Liam: Spotted a gap from deep and showed incredible pace, running the full length of the pitch for a sensational solo try.

🙏 Supporting the Wildcats

A huge thank you to our 2026 sponsors for their vital support of our U9s squad:

• WhateverWheels Yamaha
• Stephen Metcalf Limited
• LZW Digital
• A&C Removals

An incredible away performance to start the year. Well done to all—the future looks bright for the Wildcats in 2026!