Eccles RFC

A second trip to Burnley this season for the colts resulted in a similar close contest and outcome as the fixture in September. 

Eccles were dominant in the first half, with the forwards competing around the pitch and succeeding in the set peice; the backs composed in possession and clinicial with the opportunities created and the whole team showing good comitment to defending the goal line when a pounding by the Burnley pack required it. A high tackle on Lucas as he attempted to break out of the Eccles 22 resulted in a yellow card for Burnley. Tries from a maurading Joe Mountcastle on the right and a swerving Alex Strother on the left gave Eccles a 0-10 lead in the opening 20 minutes of play. Other memorable moments of the first half included good foot work at the restart from Chayse who caught the ball cleanly and made good yards up the field to set up a good platform for attack, Joe D calmly orchestrating the midfield in a new role at Fly Half and Mo making more than one incisive burst through the lines and contributing some hefty tackles into touch.  

In a contrasting second half, Eccles were put under defensive pressure for long periods by an increasingly physical Burnley outfit.  The hosts scored 10 minutes into the half but Eccles were able to respond straight away. Tireless supporting work from the Ollie, Matt, Jack Back Row saw partnership Eccles achieving good momentumn from their breaks; a penalty resulted in a well executed line out catch and drive and the Captain scored amongst a pile of bodies in the corner to ease the building pressure from the hosts. The remainder of the game was spent in the main inside Eccles territory with Eccles own discipline and unforced errors contributing to a high penalty count that kept them shackled. Charlie departed the field after a second head collision. Eccles were able to juggle thier very limited options, with Blake returning to the front row and James switching effectively to a role in the centres, but the hard fought yards gained through good passing and running were often cheapliy lost through flapping lips and sloppy handling at the breakdown. Good leadership was shown under these testing circumstances. Jack admirably held it together despite the provocation of a cheap shot on the floor.  Burnley scored a try as the last play to reduce the deficit but Eccles left with the points.  

The League campaign is now on ice until January as attention turns to the cup competitions, with a Colts Senior Shield Quarter Final v Sandbach and a Lancs U18 Trophy Semi Final v Widnes to prepare for.   

HALF TIME 0-10

70' 10-15 BURNLEY TRY

FULL TIME 10-15

TEAM

1. Josh 
2. Chayse 
3. Blake 
4. James
5. Joe M 
6. Ollie 
7. Matt H (C)
8. Jack (VC)
9. Matt R
10. Joe D
11. Alex
12. Mo
13. Chaz
14. Evan G 
15. Lucas

16. Max (FR)