Sat 15 Feb 2020, 14:15
HIGHLIGHTS
07’ 0-3 PENALTY Bolton (offside)
10’ 0-6 PENALTY Bolton (offside)
20’ 7-6 TRY Eccles (Gavin Ackers-Johnson): Conv (Reece James)
HT 7-6
45’ 10-6 PENALTY Eccles (offside)
50’ 10-9 PENALTY Bolton (offside)
FT 10-9
REPORT
As neighbours De La Salle and Leigh called off their fixtures, the menacing threat of 'Storm Dennis' did not prevent Eccles and Bolton from competing on Saturday.
Although a victory would make no difference to their respective lowly positions in the table, both teams had suffered a run of poor form (Eccles LWLLL, Bolton LLLLL) and were both searching for a win to spark a positive conclusion to their campaign.
Eccles began nervously giving away possession, inviting a determined Bolton to keep them defending inside their 22 and take an early lead through two penalties, both awarded for offside, in quick succession in the opening 10 mins. 0-6.Eccles composed themselves and following a sustained period of possession inside Bolton territory, grew in confidence. A promising break up the left by Will Parkinson was halted by the covering winger and fullback. Shortly after, a Lee Morris attack up the same flank was forced into touch. Though Bolton rallied on each occasion to regain their defensive shape Eccles sensed the momentum was shifting in their favour. The next attack through centre midfield broke through near the half way line, releasing Gavin Ackers-Johnson on the right wing, who, with outstanding pace burst past two defenders and was unstoppable, running the ball in to dot down between the posts at 20 mins; converted by Reece James. 10-7.
Eccles continued to enjoy a decent share of possession and good opportunities to apply pressure to Bolton inside their own half only for their passing and handling let them down. The game was full-hearted but well-disciplined with the match official having a great performance, earning respect from both teams and spectators with clear decisions and allowing play to develop where possible. Approaching the break the predicted stormy conditions eventually arrived.
Eccles continued to keep the pressure on, dominating the scrum at this point and playing into the wind, they dug in as the driving rain increased. At 35 mins, from a line out, the Eccles forwards execute a promising driving maul which peels off inside but the attack breaks down amongst the backs. Keeping possession proves difficult for both teams in the wet slippy conditions. At 37 mins Eccles turn over a Bolton scrum inside the opposition's 22 but having won the ball proceed to knock on loosing the advantage they had worked hard to gain. Bolton made good use of the wind at their backs to kick deep to realise the pressure and the first half comes to a conclusion without further score. HT 7-6.
Eccles started the second half well. Centre Reece James kicked a penalty to extend their slender lead to 10-6 within the first few mins. Following the restart James and Donovan make good ground, breaking the defence back, to put Eccles within a few meters of the Bolton goal line. The forwards pounded away in the left corner and Bolton defended their goal line with great resilience preventing what seemed a certain score. A sequence of 5m scrum penalties for Eccles do not lead to a try and the decision not to kick 3 easy points felt like it might be regretted when Bolton eventually win back possession to kick clear.
Eccles Forward's Grunt continues to build pressure and the game remains mostly in Bolton’s territory. Bolton reduce the lead at 50 mins with a penalty of their own 10-9 (which turn out to be the last points scored). On 63 mins the visitors defenders are offside but the strong gusts don’t help RJ and his kick is narrowly wide of the posts. Bolton’s determined defending continued to confound Eccles’ efforts, who do not make the most of their opportunities to kill the game off .
A Bolton player is knocked unconscious inside the 22 and after a short delay he is carried from the field on a stretcher.
As the competitors tire in the difficult conditions, with 8 mins to go, the game opens up and Bolton attempt a counter attack, which Eccles halt and turn over only to
As the competitors tire in the difficult conditions, with 8 mins to go, the game opens up and Bolton attempt a counter attack, which Eccles halt and turn over only to
spill possession! With 5 minutes remaining the score was still a nail-biting 10-9 and the growing tension generated errors and an exciting finish. Will Parkinson is unlucky not to intercept a pass on the edge of the 22 and for the final minutes Eccles are made to fight for the win as they defended their line. Securing a scrum, there is relief amongst the Eccles players and supporters as the ball is kicked into touch and the points secured.
One for the purists! No classic, but the wind, rain and mud made for a compelling, committed, full blooded, hard fought, close contest and Eccles showed plenty of grit to claim the win.
MOTM. Eccles Try scorer Gavin Ackers Johnson (14) Bolton Will Bate (13)
One for the purists! No classic, but the wind, rain and mud made for a compelling, committed, full blooded, hard fought, close contest and Eccles showed plenty of grit to claim the win.
MOTM. Eccles Try scorer Gavin Ackers Johnson (14) Bolton Will Bate (13)
Next Week - Orrell in the Lancs Plate Semi Final.
TEAM
1 Jim Cunningham, 2 Tom Edgerton, 3 Mark Greenhalgh, 4 Steve Lillie, 5 Simon Donovan, 6 Nick Spooner, 7 Lee Brennand, 8 Adam Christey, 9 Sam Long, 10 Harry Hutton, 11 Will Parkinson, 12 James Wright, 13 Reece James, 14 Gavin Ackers-Johnson, 15 Lee Morris. Replacements 16 Luke Cullen, 17 Jack Robbins, 18 . Matt Lambert
