Sat 29 Apr 2023, 11:00
NORTH WEST INTERMEDIATE RUGBY UNION LEAGUE PLATE FINAL
07’ 3-0 | PENALTY Port Sunlight
17’ 3-3 | PENALTY Eccles (Josh Bentley Hughes)
20’ 6-3 | PENALTY Port Sunlight
25’ 6-10 | TRY ECCLES (Rory McGrath) Conv (Josh BH)
30’ YELLOW Port Sunlight
39’ 9-10 | PENALTY Port Sunlight
HT 9-10
44’ 9-13 | PENALTY ECCLES (Josh BH)
50’ YELLOW Eccles (Tom Bates)
56’ 16-13 | TRY Port Sunlight, Conv.
59’ 19-13 | PENALTY Port Sunlight
65’ 19-20 | TRY Eccles (Ridick Mayanu) Conv (Josh BH)
68’ 22-20 | PENALTY Port Sunlight
76’ 22-23 | PENALTY Eccles (Josh BH)
FT 22-23
On Saturday morning, the Eccles third team transcendental experience this season went a level higher, when they added the NOWIRUL Plate Trophy to their NOWIRUL Divison 5 League Championship title by defeating Port Sunlight 22-23 in an exciting Final played at Ansleminas RUFC, Wirral.
As with the Semi Final last Saturday, a balance of experience and youth proved to be be an effective combination with the #homegrown U18 colts making significant contributions to the performance and the final result.
The Final kicked off in the morning sunshine and Port Sunlight, having enjoyed a convenient 5-minute journey from thier home just up the road, started the brighter successfully kicking a penalty in the opening minutes to give them an early lead 3-0. The teams were well matched and Eccles took some time to find their feet in the game which remained in the middle of the field for 10 minutes as the two sides probed for defensive gaps. Eccles were awarded a penalty on 17 minutes which was slotted home by the trusty boot of Josh Bentley-Hughes to equal the score, 3-3. Following the restart another breakdown penalty by Eccles gifted Port the opportunity to kick themselves back into the lead, 6-3.
Eccles responded to this set back and with 25' played, sustained attacking pressure inside the Port Sunlight 22, lead to the first clear opening of the match, with good work from Blindside James Edwards and Centre Matt Gardiner keeping possession and resulting in a break for winger Rory McGrath on the right, who beat two tackles to score a fine try in the corner, converted by Josh BH to put Eccles in the lead, 6-10.
The rest of the first period was mostly disrupted by handling errors and scrums. On 30' a yellow card was issued to Port Sunlight (high tackle) but despite good half-back distribution by Bates and Royle, and some powerful breaks from Damola on the left, Eccles were unable to take advantage of thier superior numbers and Port were awarded another Penalty as the last play of the half to take the score to a 1 point game at the Interval. HT 9-10.
Eccles began the second half full of purpose, playing downhill with the wind behind them and extended their lead to 9-13 with a penalty kicked by Bentley Hughes on 44'. However, thier forward progress was halted when Tom Bates recieved a yellow card (offside) and for the next 10 minutes momentumn swung to Port Sunlight who took advantage of thier field position and scored a converted Try and then a Penalty in quick succession to give them the lead 19-13 as the match reached 60 minutes.
The game remained a close contest. Front Row Replacements and a reorganisation of the backs with Reed and Reeveley entering the fray, Haageman moved to centre and Matt Gardiner to number 8, invigorated the Eccles performance. Ridick Mayanu smashed through the line from close range to score a try on 65', converted by Josh Bentley Hughes, and the narrow lead returned once again to Eccles. 19-20.
Yet another Penalty to Port Sunlight on the edge of the Eccles 22 put them ahead 22-20 with 12 minutes remaining but Eccles were determined to keep play inside their opponent's territory and as the pressure built Eccles were awarded with Penalty themselves 30m out, which was slotted home by Josh Bentley-Hughes just 4 minutes from full time, ultimately delivering Eccles the victory. FT 22-23
The 3XV's League and Cup Double is a terrific acheivement and a just reward for the dedication and hard work of the team over the season who, it should be noted, were only formed last September. Evidence, should it be needed, of what can accomplished with belief, ambition and sustained commitment. Well done lads. CG.
Next Sunday 8 May the 1XV will aim to emulate the 3XV triumph by winning the Lancashire Plate when they face Littleborough at Leigh RUFC.
Photos by Bob Shaw.
