Ruskin Park Take the Spoils

Sun 30th Aug 2009, 03:00 PM
21 Garstang - Ruskin Park 30

Garstang went out of the Lancashire Plate at the first hurdle when they lost a hard fought game to Ruskin Park RFC.

The match as reported by Ruskin Park is as follows:

“Ruskin travelled to Garstang for the first time on Sunday for their first round tie in the new look Lancashire Plate.

Ruskin choose to play against a strong wind for the first half, and looked to be regretting the decision early on with the large home pack throwing everything, including the kitchen sink at their Ruskin counterparts. Garstang used the strong wind to their advantage, turning Ruskin round with some long ranging kicks, However, some resolute defence especially by veteran Unsworth and Matt Tindall frustrated Garstang as they were restricted to just three penalties. The game then started to turn in the away sides favour as the Ruskin pack then started to get a hold in the game and reduced the deficit with a penalty. It was then that the Ruskin backs began to show their teeth and forced their way up the field with an excellent break from Jamie Atkinson on his debut. He was brought down just short but the ever hard working Mousley was close at hand to regain possession and to feed Matt Tindall who went over in the corner for the opening try.

Although trailing at half time by 9 points to 8, all in the Ruskin camp must have been happy to only be trailing by the slim margin given the onslaught from the Garstang pack and against the strong breeze.

Ruskin started the second half strongly; they gained field position and after some ill discipline from the home pack scrum half Swift slotted over 2 well taken penalties. Ruskin increased their lead shortly after when after a midfield scrum the ball was moved through several sets of hands for Farrely to cross in the corner. Ruskin stamped their complete control on the game shortly after, when again some great play from the backs led to Chris Birch scoring another try. Another Swift penalty seemed to have secured the game for the away side. However, throwing caution literally to the wind the Garstang backs began to show what they could do, throwing the ball around looking for space. This led to two quick tries and only 6 points in the game. Ruskin however composed themselves and drove themselves down the pitch, Captain Dave Birch coolly kicking a drop goal to secure on balance a deserved win.”

Match report courtesy of www.pitchero.com/clubs/ruskinpark