Sat 1 Feb 2020
REPORT
Anselmians arrived at Gorton Street, in good form and in fifth place, looking to respond to their recent narrow 18-20 loss to De la Salle by dishing out a repeat defeat of Eccles. In October the Saints had taken a 29-19 victory at Rivacre Road when their half-back pairing seized control of the game with fast open play in the first half, with Eccles leaving it too late in the second half to respond and influence the result.
Having made a great start winning 4 out of their 5 opening fixtures, October was where the tide dramatically turned for the Eccles first team, loosing 11 of the next 12 fixtures to slide to thirteenth position in North West Two, in relegation danger, with the last victory back in the autumn against Aspull.
With 10 games remaining and determined to end this miserable run Eccles saw this game as an opportunity to reignite our early season form and begin a late push to retain our Level 7 status next season. Experience and steel was reinstated to the starting forward line with Sam Simpson, Steve Lillie and Glen Cahill all recalled to the field and power installed in the engine room with Reece James at 13, selection decisions that were to prove decisive as all four players made huge contributions to the game.
Eccles began the match fired up but failed to take advantage of their possession and position for the opening exchanges. Anslemians battled their way out of their territory and with 10 minutes played, in the first attacking threat from the visitors, Eccles' discipline let them down with fullback Cammy Oates sent to the bin for hands in the ruck infront of the posts. The gift penalty kick was dispatched to put Anslemians 0-3 ahead.
Eccles responded well to the set back and despite losing a man, took the game to Anselmians for the sin bin period, building pressure through phases for a good 10 minutes, enjoying all the possession and territory. A penalty and yellow card against the visitors for a ruck infringement 10m out, provided the opportunity for centre Reece James to burst through the defence on great line to score, converting his try in the wind, to put Eccles ahead 7-3. With their tails up Eccles were playing great rugby. A good chance to advance the score by releasing winger Ackers-Johnson on the right was denied by Oates' reluctance to pass. Amends were made in the next attack, instigated through terrific defence work from the forwards, with a marauding Sam Simpson setting the platform for a back’s break on the right wing finished by perfectly executed interpassing between Gav and Cammy for a try to the side of the sticks. An illegal penalty tap (ball not leaving his hands) is not seen by ref and the quick break leads to an Anslemians try to close the gap just before the break with Eccles deservedly ahead. HT 14-10
Eccles began the second period positively and as the visitors attempted to break out of their half, Reece James intercepted the ball and charged 30 yards to score between the posts; the conversation easily dispatched by the same man. 21-10. Anselmians responded immediately and Eccles were made to defend their lines with determination. Yellow cards for Cahill and Lillie in quick succession followed. The visitor's sustained pressure and a sequence of penalties eventually resulted in a try in the corner. 21-15. Although Anselmians were enjoying a numerical advantage Eccles played with great spirit and the game remained at the half way line for the next 10 mins with the score unchanged. Just as Eccles appeared to have weathered the storm, a lapse of concentration and a missed tackle gave the visitors and opening to score, putting them narrowly ahead and setting up an exciting finish to the contest. 21-22.
Eccles pinned Anslemians into their 22 for the final 10 mins and piled on the pressure. With 6 mins left on the clock Glen Cahill rolled back the years to steal back possession in the tackle to keep Ansleminans on the ropes. Desperate defence resulted in a series of penalties (no cards issued). An Eccles line out followed by a scrum 15m out, resulted in an offside penalty with 2 minutes of play remaining and a chance to regain the lead. The wind required the ball to be held steady and the kick, to the right of the posts, was missed. However, Eccles heads did not go down. All was not yet lost. The belief victory was within their grasp saw the 1XVs battle on to earn another penalty, 23m out to the left of the posts. This kick would be last play.
Gorton Street fell silent and held its breath. With Hutton holding the ball steady once again in the wind, Reece James stepped up and this time his right boot struck true as the ball sailed through the sticks to the delight and relief of his team mates and the Eccles spectators! Whistle. Scenes.
A memorable conclusion to a very competitive match with good rugby from both teams.
Eccles dig deep to end their long run of 10 consecutive defeats. It’s been a long time coming. Great effort lads, well done. Next Week Aspull.
FT 24-22
HIGHLIGHTS
10’ 0-3 YELLOW Eccles (Cameron Oates)
10’ 0-3 PENALTY Anslemians
22’ YELLOW Anslemians
22’ 7-3 TRY Eccles (Reece James) Converted (Reece James)
30’ 14-3 TRY Eccles (Cameron Oates) Converted (Reece James)
37’ 14-10 TRY Anslemians; converted.
HT 14-10
49’ 21-10 TRY Eccles (Reece James) Converted (Reece James)
56’ 21-15 TRY Anslemians
69’ 21-22 TRY Anslemians
76’ 21-22 PENALTY Eccles missed
80’ 24-22 PENALTY Eccles (Reece James)
FT 24-22
MAN OF THE MATCH
13 Reece James ( Two Tries and a match-winning nerves-of-steel last gasp kick)
TEAM
1 Sam Simpson, 2 Tom Edgerton, 3 Mark Greenhalgh, 4 Steve Lillie, 5 Micheal Holland, 6 Nick Spooner, 7 Curtis Bates, 8 Geln Cahill. 9 Josh Waring, 10 Sam Long, 11 Gavin Ackers-Johnson, 12 James Wright, 13 Reece James, 14 Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo, 15 Cammy Oates. Replacements 16 Jim Cunningham, 17 Adam Christey, 18 Harry Hutton.
