Eccles RFC

Sat 3 Dec 2022, 14:15

Heaton Moor

17 - 24

(HT 0-0)

Eccles

Heaton Moor

Eccles

On Saturday, in bright and cold conditions, Eccles travelled to Heaton Moor with the exciting prospect of halting the host's unbeaten run and reversing the result of the League fixture at Gorton Street in September, when Eccles squandered a bag full of opportunities in a 7-13 defeat.   

With just 5 points separating the teams before kick off and Eccles enjoying good form in recent weeks, the top of the table clash promised to be a close competitive contest between 1st place and 2nd place, and so it turned out to be, with the outcome in the balance until the final whistle. 

Heaton Moor kicked off and this was the last time they entered Eccles territory for the next 25 minutes. Eccles kept Moor pinned inside their own half, enjoying good possession with a sustained attack, lead by a youthful forwards pack and supported by equally eager backs. Multiple penalties were awarded inside the 22, with Moor repeatedly guilty of killing the breakdown without anyone sent to the bin. On each occasion Eccles, sensing the building pressure would result in capitulation, opted to kick to touch rather than collect the kickable points. Moor’s defence however coped with a sequence of line out catch and drives and, despite the unremitting early dominance, Eccles were unable to break through and were held a few meters from the home team's goal line.  

Having soaked up this pressure, Moor ventured into the Eccles half following a kick to touch. From here a rolling maul gained another penalty and a yellow card for Eccles! Moor took the scrum and with their advantage claimed a push-over try from 10 metres out, scored by the No. 8, converted, to put them ahead with their first attack, somewhat against the run of play. 27' (7-0).

Eccles, now a man down and perhaps fuelled by the injustice of their situation and spurred on by their earlier spurned chances, were determined to take the game to the hosts. Positive play from the forwards returned pressure to the Moor defence in the left corner, resulting in a yellow card for the home side winger (11) on 31 mins. With both teams playing short, the Eccles attack found the space they were searching for. After another penalty, persistence finally paid off from a scrum 15m out on the left, when quick passing across the pitch saw the ball swiftly recycled in the centre, out to Gavin Ackers-Johnson running infield from the left wing to offload to Tim Balogun on the right wing, who out paced the cover defence to score in the corner. 36’  (7-5)  

With Eccles returned to 15 players for the restart, the back line further stretched the Moor defence. When good momentum was gained by Raydo crashing through the centre on bold line, quick ball out to the left released Gav and there was no stopping him as he evaded the tackles and powered up the left wing to score in the corner. Fly-Half Alex Speakman completed a great passage of play slotting home an excellent conversion from out wide to put Eccles ahead at the break. 40’ (7-12) HT.

Following the interval, Eccles picked up where they had left off, putting the Moor defence under pressure and clocking up the penalties inside the 22. With just a few minutes played, from a scrum in the middle Eccles scored a third try, when Will Parkinson missiled into the right corner. 45’ (7-17).

Heaton Moor responded to this set back and it was Eccles turn to defend when the Moor centre broke through the lines to be stopped short of the line, resulting in a penalty, which was kicked to touch. The Eccles forwards stood off at the line out expecting a drive but miscalculated as the Moor second row barged through to score. 49’ (12-17). 

The game became a bit of a midfield wrestle for 15 minutes as the teams took turns to probe for gaps in each other's defence. Eccles remained composed and changed the back line options with James Wright entering the field. Once an attacking opportunity eventually presented itself Eccles were quick to capitalise and Will Parky was unlucky to be held up to prevent his second try.  However a score was not far away and a few minutes later, from a scrum on the right inside the 22, fast passing and layers across the pitch opened up the gap for JW who cut in and released WP to burst through for a great finish in the left corner and Eccles 4th try. Another beautiful kick from Speakman out wide claimed the extras. 66’ (12-24)  

Moor responded once again and when their replacement centre evaded a missed tackle to touch down in the corner with just a few minutes remaining, a tense finish to the match was ensured. 75’ (17-24).  The next 10 minutes were gripping. From the restart Moor, needing a converted try to draw the match, kept hold of the ball and used their forwards to pound away at the Eccles defence, who to their credit held firm in front of the uprights.  During this prolonged, extra-time defensive action Eccles had two players yellow-carded (Long, Mulligan) but even with a two man advantage Heaton Moor were unable find a way through. A sequence of scrums eventually resulted in a penalty to Eccles, who kicked to touch to end the game. Scenes.  FT 17-24. 

Eccles secured the away win to close the gap at the top. Heaton Moor's late try secured them a losing bonus point which means they retain a 1 point lead in the Counties 2 division. Next up for the 1XV is away at Wigan on Saturday.