Sat 30 Sep 2023
Recent fixtures between the clubs have been close contests (the last game at Gorton Street ended in a 19-22 defeat) and this afternoon's encounter was no different with Eccles looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season by taking advantage of Aldwinian's inconsistent form. However, it was not a day for flowing running rugby. The entirety of the game was played in pouring rain, conditions that the visitors adapted to better than the hosts.
Aldwinians mounted the first attack of the game, the Eccles defence stood firm and play moved to the other end of field before the promising move broke down through slippy handling. Two scrums in the opening three minutes suggested the match would be fragmented and this proved to be the case. 20 minutes later the score remained 0-0 without either try line being troubled. Eccles had enjoyed good possession and sustained attacking pressure inside the opposition half but had spurned the opportunity to collect points, opting to kick penalties to touch instead of to the posts. Handling and line out accuracy was problematic for both teams in the heavy rain and the scrum count was soon in double figures.
With the game approaching half time, Eccles broke the deadlock with a break through the middle. Thornton and Houghton’s back row industry combined to provide attacking momentum inside the visitor’s 22 and good movement by the back line took the ball close to the goal line on the right flank. Simpson surged through a gap in the defence and passed to Ackers Johnson who scored in the corner. TRY. 38’ 5-0.
The visitors attacked with intent from the restart but their attempt to equal the score was judged to be held up on the goal line and the whistle signalled the interval.
HT 5-0
With the rain continuing, half time tactical instructions appeared to be on similar wavelengths as both teams adopted kicking high and deep in an attempt to play the game in each other’s territory. The opening 10 minutes featured a number of penalties at the breakdown and once inside the Eccles 22 Aldwinians took the opportunity to kick to goal to reduce the deficit. 50’ 5-3.
Eccles made replacements, Cullen for Manzanares and Long for Wright. The penalties continued and few minutes later, almost from an identical position, Aldwinians took the opportunity to kick themselves into the lead. 54’ 5-6.
For the next 10 minutes occasional rugby broke out between penalties. A line break from fullback Parkinson was one of very few highlights. Eccles attempted to use pistons to mount an attack on the visitor 22 line but were unable to retain possession long enough to progress to scoring. The rain persisted. With 70 minutes played, Talbot-Dutton slipped in gathering a loose ball and the resulting tackle saw him limp from the field injured, requiring a shift around of the back line. Eccles toiled but a sequence of penalties, scrums and failed line outs kept the 1-point game fixed to the halfway line.
With 4 minutes on the clock another lost Eccles line out throw at the halfway line resulted in another scrum and another penalty to Aldwinians. The kicked ball dropped short of the posts but was spilled. The resulting penalty from a closer position was successfully kicked, extending Aldwinian’s lead. 77’ 5-9.
There was just enough time for a restart and a heroic finish but Eccles were unable to retain the ball inside the visitor's 22 and another penalty put the game out of its misery. Three second half penalties gave Aldwinians the win in a close contest, with Eccles left considering their decisions in miserable conditions.
FT 5-9.
