Sat 31 Aug 2019, 15:00
Match Report
In bright and breezy conditions at Audenshaw Park on Saturday, Eccles made a confident start to the new campaign with an away win at Aldwinians in the Lancashire Plate, to take them through to the next round of the county knock out competition.
Eccles last faced Aldwinians, who now play their rugby in the Lancs ADM Premier Division, in 2017 at Level 7, and were expecting competitive test from the home team. The opening exchanges suggested the prospect of an even contest with play remaining in the middle of the pitch with both sides probing and spilling possession. Eccles were first to find their feet, winning a Penalty for ‘holding on’ following pressure at a scum on the edge of the home team 22. Chris Fortune’s foot settled the early nerves with the first points of the match and Eccles took hold of the game with assurance from this point forward, with a sequence of attacks down the flanks.
Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo proved distructive on the left wing. On his second opportunity to charge to the corner, he offloaded in the tackle to supporting Flanker Tony Haunschmidt who crossed the line to score the opening try on his Eccles 1XV debut. 10 minutes later Eccles fullback Harry Hutton scores his debut try in the right corner, following an attacking break from the base of scrum by number 8 Adam Christey. With half an hour played, 17 points up, Eccles are comfortable and switch off. Aldwinians make determined efforts to get themselves back into game and score down their left wing to the delight of the home spectators assembled along that touchline. Eccles, composed, respond with a left wing break of their own, released by the guile of Fortune, Damola powers through the defenders to score and regain the advantage. The conversion kick narrowly misses, caught by the wind. HT 7-22.
Following the break Aldwinians put Eccles under sustained pressure for 10 minutes. The resilient defence holds firm and the goal line is not breached. Eccles regain possession through graft from the forwards, leading to a Damola break in midfield and the Captain James Wright is on hand to receive the ball and drive for the line. This unlocked a period of end-to-end scoring from both teams, with an Aldwinians try followed by an immediate Eccles response, with former colt scrum-half Matt Walker perfectly placed to run in his 1XV debut try, set up by another great drive from Haunschmidt. Good contributions were made by all the replacements, notably Tom Egerton making his debut in the Front Row and making his presence felt at the breakdown. With the home team tiring in the last 10 minutes, the open spaces in midfield were fully exploited by Eccles flyer Gavin Ackers-Johnson, who made incisive runs off his wing across the pitch, one of which was chopped with a strong tackle. Play continued but descended into scrappiness, with an off the ball altercation sparking blows, for which both opponents received Yellow cards with a few minutes of the match remaining. Eccles still had time for a final score, with Gav rewarded for his work rate and support running, receiving the ball from the charging, leg-trapped back row Lee Brennand, to stride home to place the ball under the sticks and put Eccles in the next round. FT 14-43.
A convincing away win for the 1XV who came through the tie without injuries and looking in good shape from their pre-season preparations. Eccles, who were the defeated Lancashire Plate Finalists last May, will now switch focus to the League campaign in North 2 West (Level 7), which kicks off next Saturday away at Southport.
Highlights
09’ 0-3 PENALTY Eccles (Fortune)
17’ 0-10 TRY Eccles (Haunschmidt); Conv (Fortune)
27’ 0-17 TRY Eccles (Hutton); Conv (Fortune)
29’ 7-17 TRY Aldwinians
37’ 7-22 TRY Eccles (Ayanlaja-Lowo)
HT 7-22
54’ 7-29 TRY Eccles (Wright); Conv (Fortune)
60’ 14-29 TRY Aldwinians
61’ 14-36 TRY Eccles (Walker); Conv (Fortune)
78’ YELLOW Eccles (Spooner)
79’ 14-43 TRY Eccles (Ackers-Johnson); Conv (Fortune)
FT 14-43
Team
1 James Cunningham, 2 Jack Robbins, 3 Mark Greenhalgh, 4 Simon Donovan, 5 Micheal Holland, 6 Tony Haunschmidt, 7 Nick Spooner, 8 Adam Christey, 9 Sam Long, 10 James Wright, 11 Gavin Akers-Johnson, 12 William Hamer, 13 Chris Fortune, 14 Damola Ayanlaja-Lowo, 15 Harry Hutton. Replacements 16 Tom Egerton, 17 Curtis Bates, 18 Lee Brennand, 19 Mathew Walker.
Words, Photos, Video - Chris Gaffey
