Sat 2 Sep 2023
A beautiful sunny afternoon of entertaining rugby was enjoyed on Saturday, with the promoted 1XV kicking off their season in style against Tarleton. Since the first fixture between the clubs in 2004, Eccles had won 5 of the 12 encounters, including the last contest at Gorton Street in September 2019 which ended 37-35 and with Tarleton achieving a 3rd placed finish in last season’s Lancashire & Cheshire Counties 1 division a challenging contest was expected.
The visitors kicked off, regained possession of the ball and set about applying sustained pressure inside the Eccles 22, who put up a spirited defence for the opening minutes until a high tackle gave Tarleton a penalty, in front of the posts, which was dispatched to give them the early lead. 03’ 0-3.
Eccles responded straight from the restart and a midfield penalty lead to a line out and driving Maul on the left. An accurate Long pass infield found Simpson at Fly Half who showed his agility and speed to split the defence. Evading the tackles he sped in to the goal line, scoring to side of the sticks, providing himself with a straight forward kick to convert his Try. 06’ 7-3
For the next 10 minutes Eccles took control of the game, maintaining good possession and patience as they probed for gaps. Once again a line out and maul on the left in Tarleton territory proved to be effective and the ball was dispatched swiftly from the back, with good handling across the pitch to right winger Balogun, who showed belief and determination to beat the defenders and score in the corner. Simpson skilfully slotted home the conversion from out wide to advance the score. 16’ 14-3
Tarleton strived to respond but were unable to break through the determined Eccles defence. This resoluteness was perfectly illustrated with about half an hour played when Eccles succeeded in driving the visitor's attacking scrum backwards on the edge of the 22 and tempers were tested. Having soaked up the pressure Eccles mounted a counter attack, breaking quickly up the field and with good arriving support from the back row, Thornton charged in on the right flank to score the third try. Converted by Simpson. 34’ 21-3.
The visitors attempted to reduce the deficit before the break but Eccles turned over possession in front of their goal line and a high, spiralling bomb from Simpson caused chaos in the Tarleton defence. Winger and Fullback Moseley and Parkinson were ferocious in pursuit of the ball and with possession secured inside the Tarleton half another rapid counter attack resulted in a try for Balogun on the right wing; The conversion by Simpson was the last play of the half. 40’ 28-3.
HT 28-3
There was no loss of appetite following the interval. Louis Evans replaced Henry Booth in the back row and Eccles continued to play with ruthless attacking intensity, shifting the ball swiftly and accurately, coast to coast. With just 5 minutes played, fullback Parkinson received the ball at pace and broke through the Tarleton defensive on the left, using good footwork and determination to get over the line to score a well earned try. 45’ 35-3.
Wright replaced Long at scrum half and with good pressure at the restart, Eccles turned the screw. Maintaining their mobility, industry and accuracy, it was not long before another striking opportunity presented itself and Simpson skipped through the gap that had opened up to dot down his second try of the afternoon. 51’ 40-3.
For the next 20 minutes, a combination of Tarleton tenacity and Eccles complacency was to change the flow of the game. A Penalty awarded to Tarleton in Eccles territory was kicked to the corner. The resulting line out, catch and maul, was well executed by the visitors with a score in the corner and an equally well taken conversion adding the extra points. 58’ 40-10.
Eccles reacted to this set back immediately, with trademark play across the pitch, Wright and Simpson combining to put through Candland who offloaded beautifully to Moseley on the left wing who showed his pace to finish in style (60’ 45-10) but this was a short lived response from Eccles as the game became fractious and the physio was kept busy. Byron Read, who had a good performance at Centre left the field temporarily after suffering a blow. Interchanges with Frost and Campbell followed. Eccles appeared to be tire and switch off for 10 minutes. The visitors capitalised on this loss of concentration and errors in defence and, with good support running, scored three consecutive tries in quick succession at 65’(45-17), 71’ (45-22) and 74’ (45-29)!
Eccles gritted their teeth and returned to doing what had served them well for the first hour of play. With a few minutes remaining and an attacking platform established, Simpson, who gave a man of the match performance at 10, took the opportunity to charge to the Tarleton goal line himself and, with a hand off to escape the tackler, he scored his hat-trick try in the right corner; converting it with an accurate kick. 77’ 52-29.
There was still time for a highlight finish when Eccles gained possession from the restart and played out of defence, launching a counter attack up the right flank. Play was switched to the opposite coast with Wright timing his pass out to the left to find Moseley who sped up the wing making great yards, drawing the defender before offloading inside to the supporting Centre Read who swept in to score the ninth and final try behind the posts. Converted by Simpson. 79’ 59-29.
FT 59-29
The second half dip in form will be a topic of conversation and area for improvement, but otherwise this was a very promising performance from Eccles with the forwards and backs combining well and remaining composed when it mattered. Both teams were well disciplined, with no cards issued by the match official and few problems arising from the new tackle laws.
03’ 0-3 PEN TARLETON
06’ 7-3 TRY ECCLES (Simpson) conv (Simpson).
16’ 14-3 TRY ECCLES (Balogun) conv (Simpson).
34’ 21-3 TRY ECCLES (Thornton) conv (Simpson).
39’ 21-3 TRY ECCLES (Balogun) conv (Simpson).
HT 28-3
45’ 35-3 TRY ECCLES (W Parkinson) conv (Simpson)
51’ 40-3 TRY ECCLES (Simpson) .
58’ 40-10 TRY TARLETON.
60’ 45-10 TRY ECCLES (Moseley).
65’ 45-17 TRY TARLETON. Conv.
71’ 45-22 TRY TARLETON.
74’ 45-29 TRY TARLETON. Conv.
77’ 52-29 TRY ECCLES (Simpson) conv (Simpson).
79’ 59-29 TRY ECCLES ( Read) conv (Simpson).
FT 59-29
