Sat 19 Oct 2019, 15:00
HIGHLIGHTS
03’ 3-0 PENALTY BOLTON
06’ 3-3 PENALTY ECCLES (Alex Speakman)
14’ PENALTY ECCLES - missed
22’ 3-10 TRY ECCLES (Gavin Ackers-Johnson); Conv (Alex Speakman)
29’ 10-10 TRY BOLTON
38’ 15-10 TRY BOLTON
39’ PENALTY ECCLES - missed
HT 15-10
50’ 18-10 PENALTY BOLTON
65’ 25-10 TRY BOLTON
68’ 28-10 PENALTY BOLTON
77’ 28-15 TRY ECCLES (Matt Parkinson?); Conv missed
79’ 28-20 TRY ECCLES (Tony Haunschmidt); Conv missed
FT 28-20
REPORT
Although still early in the season, a victory in this fixture was clearly important for both club’s promotion ambitions. Both teams have had mixed results to the start of their campaign but appeared to be finding form with Eccles overcoming last season’s nemesis Aspull 46-22 last weekend and Bolton claiming an away 14-48 win over De La Salle. Eccles began the day in 5th place (4W 2L) and Bolton in 8th (2W 3L) with both opponents having suffered defeats to the same opposition (Winnington Park and Anselmians) and a close contest was expected.
Bolton began the game in possession and after a few minutes of play are awarded a penalty, for offside. The kick, in front of the sticks, is despatched without difficulty to put the hosts ahead. Eccles respond immediately and level the score with a penalty, kicked by Fly-Half Colt Alex Speakman. Eccles continue to dominate possession and territory for the next 20 minutes; a second penalty about 30m out to left of the posts is missed but Eccles don’t dwell on this. A line-out on the right 20m out leads to a catch and drive from the pack and the ball is shifted quickly across the pitch by the backs giving winger Will Parkinson the first clear opportunity at an attack at the Bolton line. Although this is repelled, Eccles increase the pressure. Gavin Ackers-Johnson comes off his wing into the midfield and breaks through the Bolton tackles to score between the posts to put Eccles ahead, 3-10, with 22 minutes played. With half an hour played Bolton finally escape their own half, the Fullback running a great line through the centre of the Eccles D and they score to the left of the posts to even the score 10-10. Eccles do not respond well to this set back. Momentum shifts to the hosts and their forwards drive over for a second try in the corner with 2 minutes to the break. 15-10. Eccles regain possession from the restart and on the stroke of half time earn a third penalty in the middle of the pitch, which is unexpectedly missed.
HT 15-10
Despite the close scoreline Eccles lack intensity following the restart. They struggle to get going and Bolton take full advantage of this lethargy, advancing the score with a penalty within 5 minutes. 18-10.
Eccles continue to hamper their own cause with unforced errors and are careless with possession in good positions. Bolton capitalise on these frustrations and for 20 minutes the game is played, in the main, in the Eccles half. The Bolton backs orchestrated a try and a penalty in quick succession at 65 and 68 minutes taking the score to 28-10.
Eccles are ignited into a determined sustained response. Cammy and Gav combine to launch an attack up the right, stopped short of the line and a resulting try attempt ‘held up’. With about 5 minutes on the clock Centre Matt Parkinson breaks through with the ball and evades capture to score a try amongst pile of tumbling bodies in the left corner, with what looked like a wild swipe from a defender sparking handbags in the in-goal area. The conversion missed but there’s still time for Eccles to seize another late try through the strength and tenacity of Tony Haunschmidt who held off the Bolton fullback for an eternity to score the final try; unconverted. Eccles resurgence is too late to make a difference to the result.
FT 28-20
An away victory was well within Eccles’ grasp and capabilities, but a failure to take first half opportunities, a poor start to the second half and perhaps a failure to remain positive, saw the hosts clinch a hard fought victory, despite a late surge from Eccles in the closing minutes. Eccles slip to 6th and a quick look at the table (220 PF / 202 PA) indicates our ability to score points is comparable to the top 3 teams but our defence has leaked 40 points more than our nearest rivals and must be an area for improvement if we're to progress.
TEAM
1 James Cunningham, 2 Chris Cunliffe, 3 Jack Robbins, 4 Nick Spooner, 5 Michael Holland, 6Tony Haunschmidt, 7 Lee Brennand, 8 Adam Christey. 9 Sam Long, 10 Alex Speakman, 11 Will Parkinson, 12 James Wright, 13 Matt Parkinson, 14 Gavin Akers-Johnson, 15 Cammy Oates. Replacements 16 Cammy Higginbottom, 17 Steve Lillie, 18 Martin Thompson.
