Sat 14 Jan 2023, 14:15
The cup and league games between Eccles and Trafford MV this season have both been close contests with the result decided by late scores and the third meeting in Saturday’s League fixture was no different.
The match got underway in bright, breezy, cold conditions. League leaders Eccles kicked off, the visitors retained the ball and took play into Eccles territory before possession was turned over and play returned to the middle of the pitch where it remained for quarter of an hour with both teams determined to give no ground and scrums being a regular feature of the game.
A sequence of penalties allowed Eccles to progress further up field and mount a sustained attack against TMV. Eccles first clear opportunity to score was thwarted by inaccurate line out throwing and the visitors regained possession inside their 22 and play returned to centre field. An Eccles driving maul at the halfway line (and a change to red shirts from navy and white hoops) gave the home supporters something to cheer but there was little in the way of goal line action for the opening 15 minutes.
The game continued to be a close contest and on 20’ TMV attempted to break the deadlock with an ambitious penalty kick awarded at a ruck, 30m from the posts, but the strong wind saw the ball miss its target. Eccles enjoyed decent possession but mostly inside their own half with attacks typically reaching the edge of the visitor's 22, before the ball was lost and kicked back into Eccles territory
On such an occasion at 28’ Fullback Will Parkinson and Winger Henry Talbot Dutton combined to break from deep and their pace achieved good yards before a switch crossfield kick from Harry Candland had the TMV defence scrambling under pressure from Tom Coe. The resulting penalty was kicked by Alex Speakman to the left corner before being knocked on. From the scrum Eccles attacked to the right corner and perhaps a little more self-belief from Henry might have seen the young winger score a try, rather than being put into touch by the effective TV defence.
At 35’ the score remained 0-0 and another turn over inside the visitor's half saw TMV kick deep and with the assistance of a strong wind the ball bounced into touch kick touch right in the corner by the flag. The try attempt following the line out was held up by the Eccles defenders but the goal line drop out did not relieve the pressure and with 2 minutes remaining before the interval, TMV were awarded a scrum 5m out and from this the visiting Forwards ensure the next attempt is grounded to the side of the posts. 39’ 0-7.
Eccles had enough time to restart the game and good rugby saw Will Parky stopped just inches short of the goal line on the right. The referee brought play back for penalty on left 10m out, and once again Eccles Forwards and Backs combined effectively, to move the ball accurately across the pitch to the right corner only for possession to be lost at the breakdown, a few metes from the goal line and the first half was brought to a close.
HT 0-7
Eccles began the second period receiving the ball and playing with more noticeable urgency. The home supporters did not have to wait long to see a response. Lovely, silky close interpassing on the right flank between Henry and Alex set up a strike from Gavin Ackers Johnson, who calmly stepped inside the tackler and ran the ball in to score the try under the posts. Converted by Speaky. 46’ 7-7.
For the next 10 minutes, Eccles apply great attacking pressure on the visitors with the game played entirely in the TMV territory. With the reversal of direction the visitor's kicking is now hampered by the wind, and having successfully pouched the ball, Eccles break through the centre, with James Wright offloading perfectly to Harry Candland on the right who uses speed and footwork to evade the defenders and score to put Eccles ahead. Converted. 55’ 14-7.
Eccles were awarded a penalty 40m out, and with a strong wind behind him Alex Speakman fancied the opportunity to extend the lead, however the ball sailed wide of the right post. Eccles continue to press for more points and following a line out inside the 22, fantastic determined, power from Keiron Reed saw the young prop charge through the tackles to score to the right of the posts to the delight of the home support. The conversion hit the post 65’ 19-7.
Whether it was the missed points or complacency from scoring three consecutive tries, but the attacking momentum shifted at this point shift to TMV as Eccles appeared to switch off. The visitors responded straight from the restart, with good rugby and an inside pass opening up the Eccles defence with the centre sent powering though to score to the side of the posts and a straightforward conversion. 68’ 19-14.
Eccles were now made to defend their goal line for 5 minutes as TMV threw everything they had at another score and a second inside pass saw them succeed with a try to the side of the posts. The conversation put them 2 points in front with 5 minutes remaining. 75' 19-21.
Eccles ended the half attacking inside the 22, but TMV were able to find enough composure to gather the loose ball 15m from their goal line and kicked to touch to end the game and claim the win. A disapointing result for Eccles who now slip to second in the table, but a good well competed contest.
FT 19-21
HIGHLIGHTS
14 January 2023
Eccles v TMV
HT 0-7
46’ (7-7) ECCLES TRY. (Gavin Ackers Johnson). Conv (Alex Speakman).
55’ (14-7) ECCLES TRY. (Harry Candland). Conv (Alex Speakman).
65’ (19-7) ECCLES TRY (Keiron Reed).
FT 19-21
LOSS
