Sat 7 Oct 2023
A sunny autumn afternoon presented the perfect opportunity for some entertaining rugby and the teams did not disappoint the spectators with 80 minutes of end to end action producing 11 tries where the final result was held in the balance until the very end.
Eccles began the game brightly and created two good opportunities to score in the opening 10 minutes but were unable to convert their time inside the Park 22 into points. The visitors soaked up the early pressure and, having moved play up to the other end of the pitch, manufactured a good opening through successful phases to open the scoring in the right corner. 11’ TRY PARK 0-5.
Eccles responded from the restart putting West Park under pressure, the red cap of Colt back row Houghton making notable contributions with his tackling and error forcing around the pitch. Park committed multiple penalties inside their 22 and from a quick tap, Loosehead Reed looked to have successfully barged over from 5 metres to score on 16 minutes but the effort was held up. The attacking momentum was with Eccles and within 5 minutes Fly Half Simpson broke up the right flank with the ball. With two strong hand offs he evaded the West Park tacklers and charged up field towards the 22, fixed the fullback and offloaded to right winger Ackers-Johnson on his shoulder, who skipped inside two defenders to score behind the posts; Simpson converted. TRY ECCLES. 21’ 7- 5
Eccles made a first rate restart, with Simpson the attacking architect once again, breaking through the middle and offloading to left winger Parkinson who weaved into West Park territory before he was tackled. With good urgency from the supporting forwards, the ball was quickly recycled out to the right wing where Ackers-Johnson took the ball in his stride, side stepped the defender, and sped in to score behind the posts; converted by Simpson. TRY ECCLES 24’ 14- 5
Park remained composed and a period of good possession inside the Eccles half earned them a scoring opportunity on the right flank which they took, using pace to score in corner, the conversion hitting the post (36’ 14-10). However, Eccles were to have the last word of the half when, directly from the restart, Parkinson reclaimed the ball in the air and made good yards into Park territory. The rapid pace of the attack was maintained and the ball was shifted to the right with flanker Thornton charging in to the goal line, good support from Cox ensured momentum and Ackers Johnson took the ball and 3 defenders with him over the goal line to score his third try of the afternoon in the corner. 39’ 19-10 TRY ECCLES. The missed conversion was the last play of the half.
HT 19-10
Eccles began the second half attacking Park's 22 with verve. Play was switched from an initial drive on the right out to the left wing through a high lofted kick by Simpson. The ball was gathered by the defender but Parkinson pounced, jackalled, stole possession and went on to score, the conversion hitting the upright. TRY ECCLES 43’ 24-10.
The best was yet to come a few minutes later. With Simpson eager to take the tap penalty quickly on the edge of the Park 22, Ackers Johnson seized the opportunity to surge infield from his wing and with outstanding footwork and strength, he fended off 3 tackles to strike through the middle and score between sticks. Conv Simpson. TRY/CONV ECCLES 46’ 31-10
Eccles, complacent with thier points cushion switched off and West Park scored twice in equally quick succession, firstly from a kick ahead from the right wing, over the head of Speakman at fullback, bouncing somewhat fortuitously right into the hands of the advancing attacker directly in front of the posts ( 48’ 31-17), secondly from a well worked move the visitors were right back in the game (55’ 31- 24).
Replacement prop Aspinall had to leave the field with an injured shoulder and for the next 10 minutes the game moved from one 22 to the other 22 with both teams searching for a way to penetrate each other's defence lines. With sustained attacking pressure and good decisions Eccles persistance paid off when a front row forward charged through towards the posts and the ball found Simpson, who cut through a gap to the right and was tackled around his neck as he bore down on the goal line. A yellow card and Penalty try were awarded. ECCLES 69’ 38-24..
With 11 minutes on the clock Eccles gave away an unnecessary penalty just outside their 22 line, resulting in a yellow card awarded to Luke Cullen, who was unfortunate to be identified as the perpetrator. Both teams were now reduced to 14 men. The penalty was kicked to the corner and from the second attempt the line out, catch and drive resulted in a converted score setting up an exciting finish. TRY PARK 75’ 38- 31.
Eccles attempted to play the remaining minutes of the game in West Park territory, but a penalty following an attacking line out resulted in Eccles having have to defend their own goal line like lions to hang on for the win in an enjoyable, close contest.
FT 38- 31
