Sun 21 Sep 2025, 14:00
The Eccles Senior Colts attempted to kick start their season following the 28-15 defeat at Preston with a trip to Helsby on Sunday who, similar to Eccles, are a newly combined Senior Colts team. A competitive match was expected between the teams and the U16s experience of a 31-7 defeat at Helsby last season should have provided Eccles with all the motivation necessary to be focused in their preparation. However Eccles demonstrated a casual attitude and poor engagement in the warm up and consequently got off to a flat start, which was somewhat masked by the outstanding individual endeavour by Elijah, who picked up a spilled ball inside his own half and barraged his way through the Helsby defence to score the opening try of the game to the side of the posts. Oli converted to make it 0-7 after 5mins.
Helsby responded and kept good possession of the ball, taking the game to Eccles and scored after 14 mins to make it 7-7. Eccles managed to regain possession from a Helsby line out inside thier 22 with Elijah once again reacting quickest to pick up the loose ball setting up a determined, individual run and try from Dicko and another Oli conversion took the score to 7-14 at 30 mins. Helsby responded once again and from a scrum on the right, inside the Eccles 22, spread play across the pitch to score in the left corner, just before half time. 12-14 at the interval.
At the break a much-needed team talk delivered some home truths. Eccles were relying on individual performances and needed to be more mature and more focused as a team if they wanted to win the match. The second half got underway, and it was tight, close contest. Helsby continued to dominate the rucks, with 2-3 players at each breakdown, repeatedly turning the ball over and winning possession and Eccles giving away far too many penalties for simple errors. Helsby took the lead with a third try on 64mins to go 19-14 into the lead, meaning the last 15 mins would be tense.
Eccles kept grinding away and their efforts were rewarded when a turnover in possession inside the Helsby 22 was quickly acted upon by the Eccles forwards and Charlie eventually crossed the goal line from close range at 70 mins to score a try that equalled the score. After some debate as to who would take the kick, Ellis stepped up and cooly secured the conversion, and the win, 19-21 to Eccles.
A well-spirited game against a good opponent, Helsby chose Dom N as their player of the match for his hard lines, determination and a positive attitude. Eccles nominated the Helsby No.8 for his aggressive play and great tackling.
Although Eccles claimed the victory they made hard work of it, failing to take full advantage of their wingers on a good playing playing surface, and the effort put in by the whole team was not consistent with some players emptying the tank whilst others walked around. Overall a positive result and rewarding for the parents who’d travelled to watch but Eccles will need to improve on their work at the ruck, their discipline, commitment and attitude, as a team, if they are to progress.
Next week the Colts are at home against Tarleton which is expected to be another close game.
