Another Narrow Defeat
Sat 16th Jan 2010, 02:30 PM
5 Garstang - Hawcoat Park 8
After a 5 week break the Oaks resumed their North Lancs 1 league campaign with a tough away fixture against Hawcoat Park. After the long drive the team arrived and was confident of starting 2010 with a win.
The pitch and conditions suited the tight game Garstang wanted to play and with a strong pack the away team started strongly right from the kick off causing early mistakes from the opposition. With a pack composing Richard Orr, Jimmy Richardson and human dynamo Martin Barnes the forwards we causing real problems in the tackle zone and only rustiness prevented Garstang from taking a firm grip of the game.
As the half progressed either side struggled to gain a platform and consistency in their game, Hawcoat Park were trying to use the wet and windy conditions to apply pressure by tactically kicking at almost opportunity and when Garstang tried to play the same game their accuracy and quality was not quite up to their hosts but the back three looked composed and assured in defence. Garstang looked dangerous when attacking but struggled to get the quick ball to really test the defenders.
Hawcoat’s kicking game gradually put Garstang on the back foot and while the defence was strong and well organized penalties put the away team under pressure. After missing one kick at goal another penalty gave them good position. From the lineout they attacked and though the player became isolated and Ainsley Pye clearly got his hands on the ball it was thrown out the back of the ruck. Hawcoat maintained possession after some fine try saving tackles the away side went over in the corner, in the tough conditions the kick was missed (5-0).
Often over the last couple of years in the tough conditions Garstang has faded from these games but there is a stronger will emerging and Garstang began to fight back. Garstang attacked from depth using quick penalties and keeping ball in hand but couldn’t cross the line before half time (5-0).
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, long periods of strong Garstang defence, with the occasional dangerous attack from the Oaks. Hawcoat kept to their kicking game. Again it would be a penalty that would trigger the next score, only retreating 9.9 yards from a free kick cost Garstang another 3 points meaning two scores were required (8-0)
Knowing this Garstang started to take more risks and attack from deep, Alistair was making big holes in attack and only fine tackles stopped Garstang making a quick reply. Garstang maintained the pressure and finding the elusive quick ball they worked the overlap and Max went over to reduce the deficit to 8-5 with 3mins remaining but this was how it remained
Whilst another defeat for Garstang, there were massive positives to take from the performance and these can be taken in to training and into next week.
Team: Ian Pendlebury, Martin Barnes, Ben Coreless, Richard Orr, Keith Yates, Ben Kelsall, Jimmy Richardson, Ainsley Pye, Duncan Lambert , John Robinson(Capt), Rob Bell (Harvey Jones), Max Everest, Alistair Winkler, Adam Nickson, Joe Taylor.
The Hawcoat report is as follows:
“Before starting any match report the first people I saw as I arrived at the club were Nobby Clarke and Alan Artis out 'forking' the pitch to ensure as much surface water as possible drained away off the pitch. That any match took place is testament to the aforementioned pair, Eddie France and the other volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the Hawcoat Park pitch is as good, if not better, than any other in the county. Certainly no other games took place in the North Lancs. Division 1.
As in the reverse fixture away, Garstang were certainly a big side right across the pitch, particularly up front. Their big pack certainly had the best of the early exchanges and as usual the Hawcoat Park defence had to be strong to keep them out.
Conditions were not easy and the Garstang team were very workmanlike making progress very difficult. After early Garstang domination, Hawcoat Park managed to slowly get a good hold on the game. Midway through the half Hawcoat Park took the lead, scrum half Sam Hilton made some prompting short drives to get the maroon and whites into the Garstang half, and all the forwards grafted hard to camp in the Garstang 'red zone'. Back row Danny White latched onto a loose ball, made a diagonal run and did very well to stretch a long arm over the line to touch down. The fly half just missed the conversion from wide out. Half time 5 - 0.
The second half was just as tight, an 'arm wrestle' with neither team really dominating the play. Any criticism against the homeside would be they lost the ball too often when driving the ball, i.e. their ball retention was not good. Equally the defence right across the team was very strong and had to be to keep Garstang out. When under pressure it is always good to have such experienced players as the second row pairing of Martin Kennedy and Steve Slater calling the shots.
With 15 minutes to go fly half Mike Winfield calmly booted over a 30 metre penalty goal to stretch the home sides lead to 8 - 0.
Right in the final minute the Garstang centre deservedly touched down for a try right in the corner. The space was created when Hawcoat Parks two best tacklers on the day, Dave Gallagher and Danny White clashed heads when making a strong 'pincer' tackle from either side. The Garstang centre latched onto the loose ball and made use of the space to touch down. Final score 8 - 5.
Certainly not a classic from a flowing rugby point of view but two important points earned by a grafting workmanlike performance from the whole Hawcoat Park side.
A tight scrap is just what Dave Gallagher thrives on and he deservedly took the Man of the Match award with his all action display, particularly with some timely hard tackles, closely followed by Danny White and Sam Hilton neither of whom ever take a backward step.
It was good to see first team skipper Jason Priss coming through his 15 minute spell off the replacement bench after a knee injury.”
Report courtesy of www.vrufc.co.uk |
