Sat 4 Nov 2023, 14:15
A dreary November afternoon was brightened up with an entertaining, competitive contest at Avenue Street, where Eccles arrived eager to return to winning form and started the contest full of attacking intent, seizing control of the game in the opening 10 minutes.
With 2 minutes played Eccles were awarded a penalty inside the Bolton 22 for an attempted late tackle on Scrum-Half Wright. The ball was kicked to the right corner by Fly-Half Simpson but was subsequently fumbled and dropped in the resulting line out maul. However, possession was turned over in the Bolton scrum 10m out and 17-year old Number 8 Houghton snapped up the ball from the back of the Eccles pack and his unstoppable charge carried him over the goal line for the opening try. Converted by Simpson. (4’ 0-7)
From the restart, Eccles regained possession and showed great fluidity and mobility in their attacking play to put Bolton immediatley under pressure. Prop Campbell carried hard into the centre of the host’s 22 making good yards, quick recycling from Wright at the breakdown kept the momentum and the ball was swiftly transferred by Simpson, through the hands of the centres to Ackers Johnson on the left wing, who scored in the corner. Great rugby. (08’ 0- 12)
Bolton responded, taking play into Eccles territory aided by a sequence of penalties. Eccles recaptured possession inside the 22 and elected to run the ball out of defence through winger Ayanlaja-Lowo who charged in-field, on a diagonal path right to left, before eventually being felled and dropping the ball as he hit the ground. Bolton took full advantage of the opportunity and formed up to attack the centre of the Eccles defensive line. The host's first attempt was held up between the posts but undeterred they went on to score on the left, with Campbell shown a yellow card for what was judged to be a high tackle whilst defending the goal line. (18’ 7-12)
Eccles lost no time in reacting to this set back and better handling soon had them in an advanced position on the right wing. Ayanlaja-Lowo looked to make instant amends for the earlier error and made a powerful drive through several defenders and was unfortunate to be halted just inches short of the Bolton goal line. The arriving scrum-half was alert to the quick pick up and carried the ball through a gap over the line to score. Wright converted his try with a well aimed kick. (24’ 7- 19)
Eccles continued to find success by quickly switching play from coast to coast. Another drive up the right wing from Ayanlaja-Lowo took Eccles into the Bolton 22. A rare, inaccurate pass from the breakdown from Wright (who to be fair had suffered a dislocated finger a few minutes earlier) missed its centre-field target. However, the loose ball was kicked through the defensive line by second row Booth, who gave chase and successfully regained possession in the chaos on the goal line to half-score the fourth Eccles try of the half (Spooner claiming the other half). Converted by Wright. (34’ 7- 26)
HT 7-26
Eccles made half back changes at half time, with Long coming on at 9 and Wright moving to 10. The change in personnel did not disrupt the flow of the Eccles attack and the visitors quickly re-established their dominance with quick ball at the breakdown and good reloading across the field. Matt Houghton put himself in a great position to exploit his athleticism and a powerful carry through the Bolton defence looked certain to end in glory as he charged towards the line. As he hit the ground in the tackle he reached out with the ball to touch the goal line and score but was assessed by the referee to be just short. Loosehead Cox was in close support and lifted the ball further inside the in-goal to claim the try but was judged to be in an offside position. The Captain was surrounded by Bolton players eager to restart the game and following protests Cox was shown a yellow card. (44’)
As Eccles pressed to increase their points Bolton resorted to kicking long up field to relieve the pressure and Fullback Parkinson and Winger Ackers-Johnson were particularly effective as a pair during this period at collecting the high ball and returning it with interest with strong running through the middle. From one of these forays a counter attack was launched up the left flank with Ackers-Johnson in pursuit of the loose ball which the Bolton fullback gathered and carried over his own goal line. From the resulting Eccles scrum on the left, 10m out, sharp passing across the back line put Ayanlaja-Lowo in at speed and there was no stopping him as he slid over the line on the right to score a well deserved fifth try. Converted by Wright (60’ 7- 31)
The last 20 minutes was competitive but scrappy. Bolton did their best to reduce the deficit and Eccles did their best to frustrate both the hosts and themselves. There was no further scoring by either team. All in all a good away performance and a bonus point win that returns Eccles back to second position in Lancashire & Cheshire Counties 1. Next Saturday Eccles entertain Didsbury Toc H at Home, 2.15 Kick Off.
FT 7-31
