Eccles RFC

Eccles 2s went into the weekend with a several regular members missing and so a squad full of new faces and some returning players, such as Matt Lambert, took to the field. 

Despite a somewhat lacklustre warm up Eccles started the stronger of the two teams, with defensive shape and intensity keeping play in the Orrell half for much of the opening 20 mins. Unfortunately injury struck early with Josh Green's glass shoulders letting him down after a buccaneering charge with ball in hand.  To further compound this loss, and in what was to become a feature of Eccles game, the ball was given over cheaply on a number of useful attacking situations, with a rushed pass or poor handling leading to unforced errors and turn over. Carelessness that was to cost Eccles. 

Somewhat against the run of play Orrell took the lead from a back's play following a scrum on the halfway, with good work by their half backs creating a break through the Eccles centre. Eccles continued to press and some great kicking by newcomer Jack Roper got Eccles down the field. During this period several forwards stood out with their work rate in attack and defense, particularly Danny Mac, Reece Walker and Man of the Match John Hibbett. Eccles scrums were dominant throughout without ever being able to press home the advantage fully. But for handling errors, Eccles easily could have been in for 3 tries during the opening 40 minutes, but the score at halftime read a tougher story of 19-0 to Orrell.

HT 0-19

In the second half the Eccles backline suffered due to injuries which although not helping rythm, did provide a highlight of the match, as Chinese Alun sporting a ninja headband broke through the midfield, much to his own surprise, and started a sequence of phases that led to crash ball centre Steve Robinson scoring to the right of the posts.

Unfortunately just as it looked like Eccles had struck on a game plan to turn the tide, Orrell scored two more tries despite aggressive Eccles defense, in what was a harsh reminder of the need to value the pill and make the most of your chances.  Still, the Navy and White hoops definantly kept fighting, with Tim Cullen and Matt Walker providing moments of drive and leadership and the last 20 mins saw Eccles drive into the asendancy, with the forwards pushing the team up the pitch with some dominant carries and support lines which enabled the backs to finally release flying winger Tim Bologun into space on the right wing, who made sure and scored Eccles second try of the game.

FT 12-38

The Final score didn't tell the story of the game, but an experienced Orrell team highlighted the areas for us to work-on to push up the table. Hooker John Hibbert was awarded Eccles Man of the Match, scrum-half Craig Thomas was the Orrell Man of the Match, both recieved swag bags from club sponsor D3 tape. A special mention to former colts Joe Rapinett, Dave Smith, Matt Walker and Max Mulligan who each had positive moments throughout the day and contributed hugely.

We go again next week.

Report (mostly) by Declan O'Regan.

1 Daniel McManus, 2 John Hibbert, 3 Josh Dowling,  4 Matt Lambert, 5 Dec O'Regan (c), 6 Josh Green, 7 Joe Rapinett, 8 Reece Walker. 9 Tim Cullen, 10 Jack Roper, 11 Tim Balogun, 12 Steve Robbins, 13 Danny Holland, 14 Max Mulligan, 15 Mathew Walker. Replacements: 16 David Smith, 17 George Mist Johnson, 18 Alun Davies.  Coaches: Chris Thomas / Darren Thomasson