REPORT
Aspull is the land that telecommunications forgot. With no phone signal available, updates to the outside world were delayed on Saturday. Also late to arrive in Aspull were Eccles, seamingly turning up for the second half, by which time the damage was done.
Aspull, who were undefeated all season, seemingly held onto Eccles Kryptonite with 12-19, 31-20 and 39-24 victories in the League and Lancs Plate final. This season, following promotion to Level 7 for the two teams, Eccles sought to correct the balance and Aspull endured a seven-try 46-22 defeat at Gorton Street in October, something they didn’t enjoy judging by the way they began the return fixture at Woodshaw Park yesterday.
Aspull were all fired up to prove something and, just like back in October, scored two quick early tries to put them 12-0 up before Eccles woke up. Both scores came down their right wing, an area of Eccles defense they appeared to target with over loading numbers, the second try coming from a line out drive into the corner following a penalty for a high tackle. Eccles responded immediately from the restart putting pressure on the receiving Aspull openside. His knock-on resulted in an Eccles scrum centrefield, from which the ball was moved swiftly to the right wing where Gav overcame the tackles to score in the corner. 12-5.
Aspull, aggrieved, pile forward on the restart. Simpson made a good return up the field with the ball but sloppiness in passing gifts Aspull a turnover and counter attack, an opportunity they don’t squander, again up their right wing, with an overload for an easy run in under the posts. 17-5 with just 17 mins played. Just a few minutes later following the restart a midfield chip finds the Aspull left winger (a good way offside in this reporter’s eyes) who collects the ball and runs it in under the sticks. 24-5 23 mins. Eccles make a decent restart but give up good possession and position yet again with handling errors. Aspull, who want this badly, in contrast are aggressive and hungry for the ball; being far faster at the breakdown and with less errors and penalties against them are deservedly ahead. On 27 mins Aspull further enforce their advantage, with several missed tackles by Eccles backs, they drive in a fourth try on the left wing 29-5. Eccles regroup and restart. With 30 mins played, a series of penalties inside Aspull territory leads to a line out in the corner. The drive makes the line but the ball is held up. Eccles continue to apply pressure for the next 10 minutes inside the Aspull 22, but the home team defence remains unbreached with passing and handling errors contributing to Eccles inability to make the most of their good opportunities. As the first half comes to a close, Eccles are unlucky not to score in the left corner with a defender pushing Lee Morris into touch at the flag. HT 29-5.
Eccles began the second half as they ended the first, with the majority of possession and attacking. For 10 minutes the game was played inside Aspull territory but handling errors preventing any kind of advancement for Eccles. A long kick upfield releases the pressure for Aspull who earn a rare excursion into the Eccles half and a penalty which they take on 53 mins. 32-5. Responding to this set back Eccles returned play to the other end of the field where it remained, generally, for the rest of the game. With almost an hour played a knock by the Aspull fullback gave Eccles a scrum on edge of the 22 and winger GAJ comes in off his wing and flies through the middle of the defence, with a driving maul stopped short in front of the posts. Graft from the forwards and couple of Eccles 10m scums keep the pressure on Aspull who are struggling to escape their goal line. At 61 mins Eccles score in the right corner through Lee Morris, converted by Reece James with an excellent kick into strong wind. 32-12. Straight from the restart Eccles are back inside the Aspull 22. With terrific effort by tighthead Mark Greenhalgh who makes good ground right through the middle with two charges, Eccles pull a tired Aspull defence left and right across the field, the ball is shifted quickly to the left wing with Cammy Oates providing a lovely offload to Fly Half Harry Hutton who powers through at 66 mins to score under sticks. James kicks the extras. 32-19. Great Rugby in cold windy conditions. Momentum has shifted to Eccles who are in the ascendancy and judging by the shouting behind the posts Aspull are fearing a collapse. Eccles Hooker Edgerton, enjoying a good game, made two darting attempts to break the defensive line. Despite their first half success Aspull are hanging on, inside their own 22 and given a reprieve by another Eccles knock on at a vital moment. At 78 mins, Aspull work an exit and kick long to the corner, which their winger chases and under pressure from a tackle, and against the run of play, the home team score, to the relief of the home support. 37-19. Although a win is now beyond them, Eccles respond with an attack and another penalty provides a line out and drive in the corner, and despite some determined tackling form Aspull Tom Edgerton is able to wriggle through a gap to score a last play Try close to the posts; converted by Reece. Eccles finished strong and had a good 2nd half performance but will regret starting poorly against a team they know from experience can start on fire but tend to fade.
HIGHLIGHTS
03’ 7-0 TRY Aspull; Conv.
11’ 12-0 TRY Aspull
14’ 12-5 TRY Eccles (Gavin Ackers-Johnson)
17’ 17-5 TRY Aspull; Conv.
23’ 24-5 TRY Aspull; Conv.
27’ 29-5 TRY Aspull
HT 29-5
53’ 32-5 PENALTY Aspull
61’ 32-12 TRY Eccles
66’ 32-19 TRY Eccles
78’ 37-19 TRY Aspull
80’ 37-26 TRY Eccles (Tom Edgerton) ; Conv (Reece James)
FT 37-26
TEAM
1 Sam Simpson, 2 Tom Edgerton, 3 Mark Greenhalgh, 4 Jim Cunningham, 5 Micheal Holland, 6 Adam Christey, 7 Nick Spooner, 8 Glen Cahill. 9 Tim Cullen, 10 Harry Hutton, 11 Gavin Ackers-Johnson, 12 James Wright, 13 Reece James, 14 Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo, 15 Cammy Oates. Replacements 16 Zak Brooker, 17 Keiron Reed, 18 Lee Morris.
