Ruthless Didsbury Forced to Work For Win.

Sat 24th Apr 2010, 02:00 PM
15 Garstang - Didsbury Toc H 36

A rare treat this week with two match reports!

Report by Simon Whittingham below:

Garstang 1^st XV played their penultimate league game of the season on Saturday and, although they were eventually undone by a very strong team, they put in a spirited performance.

In perfect weather conditions on an imperfect bone hard pitch the game was played at a red hot pace and intensity.  Early on Garstang took the lead with a well taken penalty from Paul Brown.  Didsbury hit back shortly after when they scored a ry following some sustained pressure (3-7).

On the half hour mark Richard Orr made a stunning break through the middle and was hauled down just short.  From the subsequent pressure Garstang were able to breach the Didsbury defence and take a well deserved lead (8-7).

The early exchanges had taken their toll on Garstang and they suffered a couple of injuries as well as expending a lot of energy.  This was clear as Didsbury ran in a try before the break to take the lead back (8-14).

In the second half Garstang played manfully but the experience and superior fitness of the opposition began to tell and they were able to score three more tries.  However, Garstang never gave up and they were able to register another try of their own which meant that the final score was 36-15 to the opposition.

Altough it is always disappointing to lose the team cannot be too dismayed at the performance.  More positive news was received after the game with results elsewhere meaning that Garstang cannot get relegated and will play in North Lancs One next season.

The final league game of the season will take place on Saturday 1^st May when Ashton-under-Lyne will be the visitors, K.O. 15:00.

Team:  Miller, Kenyon, Corless, Yates, Orr, Slater, Kelsall, Richardson, Brown, Pye, Nickson, Everest, Emmott, Bell, Winkler.  Replacements:  Chaplin, Jones, Robinson.

Report by Harvey Jones below:

On a hot day at Hudson Park Garstang hosted Didsbury for a glorious day of Rugby. With Didsbury second from the top spot with an impressive season Garstang knew this would be a tough fixture.

From the off the home side showed the visitors they were in for a tough afternoon of rugby, with a confident pack led by lock Keith Yates Garstang dominated the set pieces, charging up the field and awarded a penalty on the 5th minute, for Paul Brown to step up and slot it over opening the score to 3 nil. From here the tempo raised, Garstang won their line out and lock Orry found some gaps’ and galloped up field breaking several tackles and making good ground, this was passed down the line to Jimmy Richardson who charged over the line, only for the ref to disallow the try.

Didsbury were not going to be out done though, and with some impressive breaks from their centres and full back they pressured the home team at every opportunity, but had very little luck as with the home winger Adam Nickleson having the game of his season with fellow winger Rob Bell and full back Alistair Winkler the visitors were knocked back time and time again, with a height difference from the visiting side over well over 6 ft, and our Adam at a generous 5 foot, he knocked him down time and time again saving several tries and points for the home side.

Before the break both teams grabbed a vital try, with Jimmy this time awarded for his effort and converted by Brownie, the visitors equally led a good charge to make it 10 -7 at half time

At the break coach Harvey Jones had his team talk and the teams went out strong, the visitors though found there form and broke through several gaps to open the scoring of the half. This was converted.

With Injury to Garstang’s Jimmy Richardson he was replaced by player coach Harvey Jones, the pack re jigged and set off strong. With some outstanding play form young prop Ben Coreless charging time and time again up field and support for the front five of miller, Toby, orr and Jones the home side dominated and pressures the visitors and duly after time on their 22 were finally awarded the try through some pressure from the whole team. The home team then were caught unaware and punished for some knock on’s and the visitors had a great link up field and scored under the posts.

In the last 10 Garstang had an injury to their centre Andy with a dislocated finger, with great sportsmanship as Gartsang had used all three subs the visitors agreed for a player to return to the field.  With the last few minutes the visitors kicked well up field for a line out. With an ambitious call for the line out from the home side the visitors spoiled the plan and scored under the posts. Making it 35 – 15 at full time

After the Game Harvey Jones said. This was a respectful score line against Didsbury, with the conditions hard for both teams fitness played a big part on today. We hosted Didsbury to a good afternoon of competitive rugby and the lads all played well, We have one last game next week, then I will rest a few players to get over injuries, Pre season training is already in the planning stages for early July, all new players are welcome.

A special mention was made to the back three, with Adam Nickson man of the match, he stepped up, knocked back and kept the score line close.