SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER
1XV
Eccles 13-10 Oldham
It’s remarkable, considering we're in December, that Oldham's visit on Saturday marked just the third home fixture of the 1XV League campaign so far. With Eccles in 9th place and the visitors in 7th just 2 points apart, the game promised to be a close contest with a victory offering the opportunity of a move up the ADM Premier table.
The game kicked off in cold, wet, windy conditions which deteriorated to become truly miserable, with driving rain making footing and handling difficult. The visitors were the first to show early attacking intent with a scrum penalty inside the 22 but pressure from the Eccles defence forced a knock on and the ball was moved upfield, where it remained inside Oldham territory for the next 10 minutes. Eccles were making hard yards but when possession was lost, back to back dropped high balls put Eccles under pressure back on their goal line. At 14 minutes, an Oldham scrum 5m out was initially well defended but ultimately the opening try came out on the right. (0-5).
Eccles responded to this set back and retained the ball for about 5 minutes, without successfully breaking through the Oldham line to launch an attack. At 21 mins the game was stopped for leg injury to Will Hammer who left the field. The resulting penalty lead to a line out inside the Oldham 22, following which the Referee spoke with both captains regarding the number of penalties being committed. The game continued to stay inside the Oldham half although without progress towards points. At 29 mins, after pounding away, Eccles opted to kick for points and a wonderful strike in the wind from the boot of Alex Speakman put Eccles on the board. (3-5). With 36 mins on the clock, and in a strong wind, the young Homegrown fly-half stepped up again, to kick straight through the sticks from the halfway line! Wow. The shivering spectators roared their delight. (6-5). Eccles completed the half attacking and a line out inside the 22 gave the hosts a perfect platform to extend their narrow lead going into the break but the ball was overthrown and the opportunity was squandered. HT 6-5.
The second half kicked off with Eccles playing into a strong wind with an increasingly slippy ball and poor visibility in heavy rain. The 10 mins following the restart was played inside the Oldham half, with the visitors kicking the ball long to escape and the Parkinson brothers returning it with interest. Eccles were gradually moving closer to a striking position and on 54 minutes centre Tom Dutton broke through to score a try to the side of the posts; converted by Speakman. (13-5).
The weather worsened, the game degenerated into a wrestle, discipline declined. Oldham had a man sent to the bin. Eccles had the visitors pined inside their 22 but despite several penalties and line outs in the corner, were unable to turn this attacking pressure into points. With 8 minutes remaining on the clock Eccles elected to kick their next penalty into the wind, towards the sticks. The ball hit the right hand post, was caught by an Oldham player and somehow the visitors were off the ropes and heading upfield. With 5 minutes remaining, from a ruck in a central position in the middle of the pitch, Oldham kicked the ball deep towards space in the left corner and the chase resulted in a try. (13-10).
The final 5 minutes might have been an edge of your seat finish, but Eccles successfully regained possession from the restart and kept the game inside Oldham territory, where the majority of the second half had been played, and the last word, or rather kick, fittingly went to Alex Speakman who struck the ball calmly into touch to end the match. Despite the weather, Eccles gave an energetic display to grind out the win, against a dogged Oldham outfit. FT 13-10
Report - CG
2XV
Eccles v Macclesfield
Game cancelled due to Covid outbreak preventing Macclesfield from fielding a team.
SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER
LADIES
Darlington v Eccles
Game cancelled due to Covid outbreak preventing transport of travelling Eccles squad.
SUNDAY 5 DECEMBER
U16s
Eccles 0-45 Liverpool St Helens
The Eccles U16s were proud to have seven players selected for Lancashire (vs Cheshire) through the DPP programme on Sunday. Naturally, their absence for county representation (and long term injuries to Ollie and Johnny) left Eccles significantly understrength to face a strong Liverpool St Helens outfit, who made good use of their very capable backs line up to deliver a heavy defeat.
Eccles were able to field 14 players and for the first quarter of the game struggled to keep possession long enough to cause the visitors any problems. Within 15 minutes LSH were three tries up, scored in the corners where they took full advantage of their extra man.
Eccles responded and for the next 15 minutes dominated possession and territory inside the visitor's 22. Several penalites provided several good line out opportunities. However, the resilient LSH defence were able to hold-up three mauls short of the goal line and despite the determined effort, the sustained attacking pressure delivered no points for Eccles. HT 0-17.
The second period did not see the improvement we were seeking. The centre remained strong but missed tackles out wide were costly. LSH scored a fourth try in the corner early in the half and some heads went down. Eccles continued to battle on as best as they could, but did not take care of the ball well enough to launch any effective attacks of and the game remained mostly in a congested midfield. A great break out of defence was made by Scott on the left wing but this promising opportunity came to nothing when a lack of depth in the centre resulted in an avoidable knock-on on the halfway line.
In the final 15 minutes Raff was unable to continue and left the field. Eccles were down to 13 and LSH agreed to remove a player. Some determined defending showed character but ultimately a tiring Eccles team were unable to find an answer to the fast LSH backs, who were now seeing more of the ball and ran in three tries late in the game. A valiant effort by all players, in particular those having to play unfamiliar positions, and with Jack, Lucas and Fin deserving a special mention for their never say die lionhearted efforts. Many lessons to be learned from this defeat. Onwards to the next field. FT 0-45.
Report - CG
U14s
Eccles v Rossendale
Awating match report
U13s
Eccles v Ormskirk
Awating match report
U13 GIRLS
Eccles v Manchester Girls Mini Warrior Event
U12s
Eccles v Leigh
Eccles v Leigh at home was another tough game for our boys. We played Leigh last year as part of a reduced lockdown season of only 5 games but they have gotten much better this time around. Their attack was very strong with lots of skill with fast hands and great offloads. Not a dig at our boys but we could learn from that.
Our defense was the best it's been for a while with all the lads pushing forward as a line which forced Leighs lads into the fast passes. George was able to intercept more than one to make a break for it and keep us in the game. Jamie B had a few great runs, determined to get his first try. I'm sure if he keeps on as he is then it won't be long and I'm sure they'll keep coming. Harrison gave his all on the day as he did in training, his tackles are improving weekly along with his commitment in the rucks and runs. Fin took a few knocks and unfortunately had to sit out sit out last ten minutes with an injured leg. His time on the pitch was spent at full pelt as usual, giving us a few tries and big tackles.
Leigh had one big lad who they used to good effect. Once they were 5 meters from our try line, pass to him, smash through our defence, score.
This happened a few times until our boys turned it on and defended better than we have for a while, holding this player up, preventing the try. The support that lads gave each other was commendable.
Edward was on form again (I'd like to see his step count after that game, he was everywhere). Owen and Monty have pretty much cemented them selves as proper grafters, involved in most things on the pitch the effort these 2 put in is properly up there. Another close physical game which we can learn from and the boys at the end were all smiles which is what we like to see.
Well done to George for winning Coaches Player and Edward for Players Player.
U11s
Eccles v Tyldesley
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U9s
Eccles v Leigh
Awating match report
U8s
Eccles v Leigh
On a much brighter and warmer day than last Sunday our little band of warriors took on Leigh who brought with them 10 very useful players. Due to some illness the Eccles squad was reduced to 20 which allowed teams of 5 to play each other.
Eccles teams are used to playing each other and this always leads to very lively if somewhat chaotic games. Both Leigh and Eccles gave a good account of themselves with trys coming thick and fast. Tags were being ripped off as if their lives depended on it! As you can appreciate when Eccles outnumber the opposition by so many the best we can do is to let two Eccles teams play against each other working on passing, catching and back up play which seems to work well and gets introduced into the competitive games. With this format every boy gets to play both Leigh teams.
Coach Sam and Coach Stuart both agreed that the rugby played today was some of the best this season and we can only go from strength to strength as the season progresses. This week's man of the match for Leigh chosen by Sam and Stuart was Evan with Benjamin being selected by the Leigh coach for Eccles. Once again I would like to thank the mums and dads for coming along and supporting our boy but also supporting the club in trying to promote a family atmosphere. Special mention has to go to Richard, Ellie's dad for stepping into the breach when Coach Benty was struggling to keep some sort of order in the Eccles on Eccles games!
Report - Coach Benty
