The 1XV began their campaign on Saturday in an entertaining, close contest at Gorton Street, with Eccles managing to overcome an undisciplined first half to come from behind and score late, to claim the bonus point win over a spirited Aldwinians team.
With a number of departures and arrivals over the summer the Eccles line up was unfamiliar, but looked lively in the opening exchanges, making a positive start with a clean break out wide, resulting in the first try of the season for fullback Parkinson, who duly converted his score.
06’ 7-0 TRY ECCLES (W Parkinson) CONV (W Parkinson).
However, for the next 30 minutes, Eccles struggled to find any fluidity in their play, with poor handling, numerous technical offences and high tackles preventing progress out of their own half and limiting their possession of the ball, providing Aldwinians with a platform to mount a sustained attack inside the Eccles 22. The hosts defended their goal line with determination but repeated infringements resulted in Lock Scott Pears sent to the bin 20 minutes into his return to the club. Shortly after the visitor's pressure inevitably turned into points, with a try scored to the side of the posts.
10’ 7-3 PENALTY ALDWINIANS
20’ YELLOW ECCLES (Pears)
26’ 7-10 TRY ALDWINIANS. CONV.
For 10 minutes, the stop-start game was fixed around the halfway line, with a high penalty count (13 against Eccles, 3 against Aldwinains) contributing to the building tension as the visitors were awarded the opportunity in midfield, to kick to the corner for an attacking line-out with half time approaching.
Aldwinians secured the ball and set about driving their maul towards the Eccles goal line. Pears arrested the attack, stretching over the top to steal possession from the visitors. Fortune, playing at fly half, was quick to see the opportunity to launch a break from deep inside the Eccles 22 and sprayed the ball across the pitch, to Candland who in turn released Ackers-Johnson on the right wing, out-gassing the defenders over 70 meters for a dramatic score behind the posts, putting Eccles back in front at the interval.
39’ 14-10 TRY ECCLES (Ackers-Johnson) CONV (W Parkinson).
HT 14-10
With the introduction of Long at scrum-half and Russell in the back row, Eccles started the second half, playing with increased pace and better discipline to give them the edge over the visitors. It was not long before accurate passing was opening up the feild and Candland, who had a stand out all-round performance at centre, broke through the line inside the Eccles half to spark an attack. Dodd carried the momentum into Aldwinains territory and a quick ball recycling from Long to Fortune released the supporting Russell to step around the tackles and score.
49’ 21-10 TRY ECCLES (Russell) CONV (W Parkinson).
Russell’s energy continued to make an impression on the game and a few minutes later, a terrific break saw him burst through a gap and charge into the 22 towards what seemed to be certain glory, only to be tackled inches short of the goal line. The flanker's quick reactions offloaded the ball from the ground up to his supporting fullback and Parkinson stepped over the line to score behind the sticks, increasing the Eccles advantage.
57’ 28-15 TRY ECCLES (W Parkinson) CONV (Parkinson).
With an hour played Connor replaced Simpson in the Front Row. Eccles appeared to be in control of the game but once again a sequence of penalties gave the visitors the opportunity to strike back, with a try awarded between the posts when a spilled ball looked to e a possibilty.
65’ 28-22 TRY ALDWINIANS; CONV.
This turn of events gave the victors encouragement and, playing some of their best rugby of the match, a well-executed move across the pitch opened up a gap in the centre to see them speed through to score and take the lead with seven minutes remaining, setting up a dramatic finish to the game.
73’ 28-29 TRY ALDWINIANS; CONV.
From the restart Eccles applied urgent pressure on the visitors and regained possession of the ball. A quick tap penalty inside the Aldwinians 22 kept momentum and moved play to within a couple of meters of the goal line for another penalty. Spooner did not hesitate to seize his opportunity to tap and drive for the line, scoring in the corner to reclaim the lead for the hosts with four minutes on the clock.
76’ 33-29 TRY ECCLES (Spooner).
Eccles retained possession following the restart and the final moments of play were spent inside the Aldwinians 22 with Eccles attacking. Spooner carried the ball into contact with the Aldwinians scrum half who landed on the wrong side of the ruck, where he was trampled upon by clearing Eccles Prop Cunningham, who was shown a red card for his reckless actions. The game continued but with less than a minute of play remaining there was no further scoring.
79’ RED CARD (Cunningham).
FT 33-29
Eccles will be pleased with the victory, the first at Gorton Street since last November, which showed great spirit and determination to fight back when events turned against them, but will be looking to improve their performance and discipline (21 penalties awarded against them in this match) in the next fixture, away at Aspull.
Eccles Team: Sam Simpson, Jack Burdon, James Cunningham, Cameron Higginbottam, Scott Pears, Martin Coop, Nick Spooner, Connor Longford; Tim Cullen, Chris Fortune; Gavin Ackers Johnson, Harry Candland, Jason Dodd, Matthew Parkinson, William Parkinson. Replacements Rhys Connor, Harvey Russell, Sam Long.
