Sat 8 Apr 2023, 15:00
Lancashire Plate Semi Final
HIGHLIGHTS
07' 0-5 | TRY ECCLES (Tim Balogun)
16' 0-10 | TRY ECCLES (Gavin Ackers Johnson)
22' 0-15 | TRY ECCLES (Will Parkinson)
33’ 7-15 | try Tyldesley, conv.
35’ 12-15 | try Tyldesley, conv.
39’ 12-20 | TRY ECCLES (Chris Fortune)
HT 12-20
55’ 15-20 | penalty Tyldesley
61’ 15-27 | TRY ECCLES (Steve Lillie) Conv (James Wright)
65’ 15-34 | TRY ECCLES (Gavin Ackers Johnson)
70’ 15-41 | TRY ECCLES (Tim Balogun) Conv (James Wright)
79’ 15-48 | TRY ECCLES (Gavin Ackers Johnson) Conv (James Wright)
FT 15-48
REPORT
St George's Park Tyldesley, bathed in beautiful Easter sunshine, provided an agreeable setting for an enjoyable cup tie this afternoon and, with only 6 miles between the clubs and very little between the teams in the league fixtures this season, a good crowd had been attracted to watch the contest. The match was procceeded by a minute of silence respectfully observed by the players and supporters of both clubs.
Tyldesley kicked off, successfully pinning Eccles into their own 22 for the first 5 minutes where they soaked up the opening salvoes from the Tyldesley pack. A well-timed tackle from fullback Will Parkinson in front of the posts prevented an early breakthrough from the hosts, centre Harry Candland turned over possession and Eccles looked to break quickly up the right wing through Matt Parkinson, who suffered an ankle injury as his progress was halted and limped from the field, with only a few minutes played, to be replaced by Tim Balogun who was to make an immediate imapct.
From an Eccles line out on the left wing just outside the Tyldesley 22, the ball was won by Stevie Lillie and a maul formed. Scrum Half Sam Long released left winger Gavin Ackers Johnson infield on a defence-splitting break across the pitch. The ball was swiftly moved across the back line to the right wing where Balogun evaded the tackles and scorched into the corner to score. 07' 0-5.
Prop Dan Aspinall and Back Row Javi Manzanares were soon joining Parkinson on the touchline as the Eccles casualties mounted up, but forward momentumn was not diminished. With 11 minutes played, a break from the base of the scrum and a chip kick over the advancing defence from Chris Fortune put Tyldesely on the back foot. From this platform Eccles maintained attacking pressure inside the 22, stretching the hosts from one flank to the other, as they searched for a breakthrough. From a Line Out on the right, Eccles accelerated with rapid work at the breakdown and crisp passing from Long and Wright across the field found Fortune, instrumental once again this time in the 13 channel, offloading to Ackers-Johnson on the left wing and there was no doubt of the finish in the corner. 16’ 0-10.
Eccles were now finding a quickening confident rhthym to thier play. Good work from the forwards following the restart secured possession inside the Tyldesely half and flowing rugby from Wright - Candland - Reed, gliding through the gears, put Fortune into space to drive to the goal line. With the ball in both hands, and two options outside him, he resisted the temptation to score himself and fixed the defender before delivering a deft offload to Will Parkinson for the fullback to score in the left corner. 22’ 0-15.
With Eccles three tries to the good and just 24 minutes played the match took an unexpected turn when the refereee went down injured. Unable to continune, the game was stopped whilst conversations took place on the pitch to arrange a replacement match official. Mr Daniel Taylor stepped forward so the show could go on. This break in action appeared to benefit the hosts more than the visitors and with fresh wind in their sails a rejuvenated Tyldesely regained their composure to play themselves into the game. A penalty against Eccles for not releasing inside their 22 resulted in an opportunity for Tyldesely to set up a maul and score in the corner, which was converted with a well aimed kick. 33' 7-15. Straight from the restart Eccles allowed the ball bounce and this hesitancy gave Tyldsley an immeadiate opening to counter attack up the wing and score! 35’ 12-15.
The scoreline suddenly looked less comfortable for Eccles. Words behind the posts refocussed their efforts and the next restart was more positive. With persistent forwards' graft a penalty was awarded inside the 22, in front of the Tyldsley sticks with a minute of play remaining. Shouts from the crowd to kick the points were ignored as the Eccles backs choose speed and craft, passing the ball swiftly into the left corner once again for Chris Fortune to cap off an accomplished first half performance with a try just before the interval. HT 12-20.
The opening 10 minutes on the second half were an even contest with both sides probing for gaps with centre George Tyson and openside Ryley Thornton both effective in breaking the gain line and making good yards. However, on 53 minutes the flying Tyldesley outside-centre cut right through the Eccles defence and looked certain to score as he swept his run across the pitch towards the posts. There was only one Eccles player capable of catching him and winger Balogun made an incredible try-saving tackle 1 meter short of the line, with the ball dropped in the process, triggering a huge roar of approval from the Eccles faithful on the touchline! With the match finely balanced this was a defining moment. Eccles had the scrum but Tyldesley were able to keep play inside the Eccles half and were awarded a penalty 2 minutes later, which they opted to kick to reduce the deficit. 55' 15-20.
With the game entering the fourth quarter Eccles increased the pace of their play scoring 4 successive tries to end any hopes of a Tyldesley fight back. A quick Line Out throw near the halfway line from the Captain Tom Coe released fullback Parkinson who used his speed and skills to weave through the broken field, the ball was quickly recycled in the middle of the pitch and Fly Half Wright, enjoying an influential attacking performance, raced through the gap to offload to the charging warhorse Lillie on his shoulder, who powered through to the line to score a great try to the side of sticks. Wright added the extras with the conversion. 61’ 15-27.
Eccles secured the ball from the restart and shaped to play expansive rugby, stretching the Tyldesley defence to the right flank. The point of the attack shifted and a huge pass from Wright in the middle found the advancing fullback and winger far outside him on the left and Ackers Johnson was put through to finish and score behind the posts. 65' 15-34.
Eccles were exuberant and Tyldesley were tiring. A beautiful coast to coast move saw Loosehead Fin Cox break through the middle to set up some wonderful running rugby out to the right wing where Balogun beat his man to score his second try of the game. Converted. 70’ 15-41. With 10 minutes remaining there was still time for more great passing to result in a try hat-trick for Ackers-Johnson with a trademark run and superb finish on the left 79’ 15-46; the match was concluded by Wright with the conversation. FT 15-48.
An entertaining cup tie of great rugby and a throughly enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine. Our thanks to Tyldesley for their welcome and generous hospitality.
