On a fantastic September Saturday, Garstang’s first XV headed for Tarleton as some clever fixture swapping allowed for a coach to be organised as both first and second teams were now playing away. The fantastic weather and on board coach camaraderie put both teams in an optimistic mood for the day’s rugby ahead.

The first team stared with real intent and from the kick off displayed hard tackling as well as excellent line breaking angles of running when attacking. The fantastic weather conditions played into Garstang’s hands as excellent ball retention and support play allowed Jimmy Richardson to crash over from short range (a feat he managed to emulate from the week before! Let’s hope this trend continues) 5 – 0. John Robinson having moved from his usual position on the wing to stand in at Stand-Off took over kicking duties and duly converted the points to open up a 7 -0 early lead.

The game restarted and a determined backline were able to run back everything that was thrown at them as the excellent pressure forced a young Tarleton team to resort to a kicking game. The Garstang back three spearheaded by a returning Guy Lambert at full-back, ably supported by Pat Woods and Robert Bell on the wings were linking superbly and able to push Tarleton on to the back foot, The strong running play from the three quarters and the excellent support play from the pack (who were really getting themselves round the park) eventually forced the next points of the day as Tarleton’s discipline wilted giving a penalty away in front of the posts. The kick was converted, 10 – 0.

The next score belonged to the forwards as an excellent break by Martin Barnes allowed for Richard Orr who was supporting on his shoulder to casually ghost over the line and take the score to 15 – 0, the kick was converted leaving John Robinson’s 100% record intact, 17 – 0.

The game continued in the second half at a frenetic pace with thunderous tackles coming in from the likes of Alastair Winkler, Max Everest, Keith Yates and Pat Woods as Tarleton kept on looking for an opening but they were unable to cross the whitewash. With 15 minutes to go Keith Yates and Nick Smith were replaced by Ben Kelsall and Harvey Jones.

Garstang were winning the majority of set pieces. Powerful scrummaging from the pack set up an excellent platform for Ainsley Pye to unleash the backs. The combination of Pat Woods joining the line out at two jumper receiving torpedoes from Steve Yardley resulted in consistent ball retention throughout the game. It was from one of these line outs that the third and final try of the day occurred. The resulting swap from Pat Woods being on the wing to join the line-out meant that Martin Barnes had to leave the line-out and take up his position, as the hooker/back row forward lurked with intent the ball was passed back inside for him to run onto from the fly-half allowing him to go on an impressive run deep into the Tarleton 22, Martin was tackled by the last man and was able to off load to Ainsley Pye in support, who in turn off loaded to allow Ben Kelsall to Score under the posts. John Robinson converted the points, 24 – 0

In the final minutes of the game Tarleton gave away another penalty which Garstang Converted allowing the team to run out victorious 27 – 0.

The entire team can be commended for the excellent rugby played throughout. Martin Barnes received Man of the match for his excellent strong running and the setting up of two of the three tries.