Eccles RFC

Preseason Friendly

Eccles Colts were hoping to continue their pre-season build up with a friendly fixture against a Liverpool Collegiate team who were seeded 2 divisions above them in this season's league format and were looking to improve from last week's fixture against a top division Chester side.

Player availablity disrupted the Eccles line up, which had a disjointed feel to it, with only two of last season's colts making the starting line up and a strong forward bias with only a few genuine backs amongst the 15.

Understandably Eccles started slowly with a few players finding their feet in new positions and some sloppy handling combined with a hesitant approach when getting to the breakdown meant Eccles surrendered possession a lot in the first quarter of the game, although this did allow Eccles to focus on their defensive structures and tenacious tackling from the forwards kept the visitors at bay with some strong hits from Jack , Tom and Cael setting the tone early on.

Eccles began to cut out the mistakes and began to gain territory with good drives from Mo and James playing in the centres whilst Matt and Joe D pulled the strings at 10 and 9 respectively. From a line out on the Liverpool 20 metre mark Cael ran a strong inside line from Matt’s pass which drew the defence in and some quick set up play allowed Matt to find Mo who again hit a great line to fly through a gap close to the posts, giving Jack an easy kick to make the score 7-0.

The try seemed to wake Eccles up and they suddenly were first to every loose ball with Harry P throwing himself on to a misplaced Liverpool pass and with Max and Chasye taking the chance to drive their opponents back , Eccles found some momentum. More strong running midfield from the pack created gaps and Ollie hit a great line from deep and galloped over next to the posts to move the score to 14-0 after Jack added the extras. Eccles were dominant now with Ollie winning line outs from the oppositions throw and finding Chayse who was making metres with every carry.

HT 14-0

Eccles made their substitutions at half time with Evan S, Tom , Harry G joining the game while Blake moved from the Liverpool team. The interchanges seemed to disrupt the Eccles flow for a while which allowed the visitors a foothold in the game which they took by rumbling forward and crashing over to the left of the posts although the kick was missed.

Eccles found themselves under more pressure from the kick off but more robust defending saw a quick penalty taken by Jack in the Eccles 22 and when he found support on his outside Eccles broke over the half way line, Jack stayed in support and drew the cover defence finding Harry P on his shoulder who touched down for a great try - Eccles now led 21-5.

Another substitution saw Cael replace James at centre but Liverpool were focusing their efforts in the forwards and again crashed over for a carbon copy of their first try as Eccles seemed disorganised in the middle with some lack of communication causing errors 21-14.

The last water break saw Joe M move to centre in place of Cael who has surely planted the seed with the coaching team with an impressive cameo, a young Owen Farrell was mentioned at one point.  The visitors were visibly tiring now and Mo flew in for his second try as captain following more good work by Jack , Joe and Harry G with Jack again adding the 3 points 28-10.

Jack scored the next try following another quick break from Eccles own half and comfortably outpaced the defence to dive over next to the posts allowing himself another straightforward kick to move the scores to 35-14 with Eccles really putting Liverpool to the sword now.

More slick handling outwide saw Lucas, Joe and Matt combined to set Raff free who broke past the initial defenders with a ferocious handoff only to see the cover defender come across. Raff had the last laugh when from the next phase he smiled when he touched down for the final score of the game which allowed Jack to complete his 100% success rate by adding the extra to end the game 42-10.

Eccles fully deserved their victory with some excellent all round displays with Joe and Matt linking up well , Lucas joining the attack when needed and dealing with kicks when required and the pack controlling the game, especially in the first half. Although not ideal with a lot of players absent or out of position, this experience means that Eccles do have a lot of options within the sqaud, if required.

FT 42-10

Report Andy Curran.

TEAM

1. Cael
   2. Chayse
   3. Max
   4. Ollie (VC)
   5. Joe M
   6. Tom K 
   7. Harry P
   8. Jack 
   9. Joe D
   10. Matt H
   11. Raff
   12. James
   13. Mo (C)
   14. Evan G
   15. Lucas
   
   16. Evan S 
   17. Blake 
   18. Harry G 
   19. Tom W 

HIGHLIGHTS

7-0 10' TRY Eccles Mo, jack conv.
14-0 25' TRY Eccles Ollie, jack conv.
HT 14-0

14-5 40' TRY Liverpool
21-5 45' TRY Eccles Harry P, jack conv.
21-10 50' TRY Liverpool, no conv.
28-10 60' TRY Eccles Mo jack conv.
35- 10 65' TRY Eccles Jack, jack Conv
42-10 69' TRY Eccles Raff, jack Conv.

FT 42-10