Brave Garstang Go Down to League Leaders

Sat 13th Feb 2010, 02:30 PM
10 Garstang - De La Salle 37

Garstang were hoping to continue a recent run of good form against the leagues’ best team away in Manchester.

With a strong team only missing Ainsley Pye, Garstang started in confident mood on a pitch resembling more a farmers than rugby field. Right from the kick off the away side took the game to the hosts driving them back in the contact. This quick start was rewarded after some great play on the left wing when Adam Nixson went over in the corner after a fantastic break. The tough kick was missed. (5-0)

This score put the home side on the back foot and for the next 20 mins they resorted to the play which ran close and sometimes over the line with several cheap shots being delivered. The referee doing his best to keep control penalized the Salford team repeatedly adding to their frustration. This was playing in to Garstang’s hands who were playing very hard to cope with the dangerous De La Salle back line.

Garstang’s game plan were dealt two quick blows that over the game would prove decisive. Rob Charles who had started at 10 and was creating problems had to leave with a hamstring pull this resulted in a reorganized back line with John Robby moving to 10 within a couple of minutes he was stood under the opposition posts after him and De la Salle’s number 8 had received a yellow card. The number 8 being exceedingly lucky to remain on the pitch for some clear “work on the eyes”.

This meant a third fly half of the afternoon and it was clear that Garstang were in survival mode for the next 10 minutes. The increase in space aided De La Salle who were able to use the width of the pitch and numbers in the back line to score twice before half time (10-5).

With a full complement of numbers Garstang started the second half strongly meeting every physical encounter and playing with a heart that is becoming the overriding trait of the team. Due credit must be given to De la Salle who in the second half showed a far better side to their game playing some excellent quick ball utilizing their backs and Garstang defensively at times struggled to meet them at the gain line and stop their quick off loads.

This paid off for them and in the second half they 4 more tries as well as a penalty to make the score 37-5. A lot of credit must go to Andy Emmott who tackled his heart out and Alistair Winkler who is really settling in to the full back position and made some great counter attacks.

The final score was for the away team and it was full reward for the team who never gave up. Adam Nixson counter attacked another long kick and after beating two men was in open space, as the cover defenders flooded across he passed the ball back inside to Max who was supporting and he raced in to score making the final score 37-10.

This was a performance to give great encouragement to Garstang as well as signposting the way forward. This can only be done by getting down to training and continuing to support each other as a team.

Team  B.Coreless, M.Barnes, D.Miller, R.Orr, K.Yates, B.Kelsall (N.Smith), G.Raybe, J.Richardson, P.Brown, R.Charles (R.Bell), M.Everest, A.Emmott, A.Nixson, J.Robinson(Capt), A.Winkler