Late scores decisive

Sep 24 2008 by John Buckley, Mid Cheshire Chronicle

Late scores decisive

Northwich 27 Wilmslow 13

NORTHWICH produced an impressive scoreline at Moss Farm on Saturday, but in reality it flattered them.

Until two late tries secured them their first points they were hanging on to a 15-13 lead by the skin of their teeth.

The Blacks had the better of the early exchanges and 10 minutes into the game pacy winger Joel Barber picked up a loose ball to score in the corner. Matt Bebbington missed the conversion.

Wilmslow, on the back of a victory against New Brighton the previous week, came back into the fray with a deserved forwards try from Daniel Partington which stand-off Bob McCallum converted to take the lead.

It was even until the half-hour mark when Barber found space on the left wing and broke through to set up the supporting Steve Campbell for a try that Bebbington had no problem in converting.

The interval came and Greaves brought on Gez Gough for prop Jan Cartman and five minutes later rang the changes by introducing Simon Pratt at fullback and swapping Nigel Farrow for Dave Farley in the second row powerhouse. The resulting pressure allowed Bebbington a penalty kick to extend the lead.

At this stage the home team lost their shape and McCallum kicked two penalties to bring his team right back into contention. For 10 minutes Wilmslow sensed a win and were attacking when Aussie centre Stacey Hosking picked up a spilled ball to break the line and dash 60 metres to score near to the posts to give Bebbington an easy conversion. The Blacks were now safe and from a Wilmslow scrum near the visitors’ line scrum half Chris Hepinstall pounced on a loose ball to give the home team their somewhat inflated scoreline.

Other scores: Lymm Colts 17 Northwich Colts 12 (Luke Emmett 4 pens); Ladies – Rossendale 48 Northwich 10 (Mel McPhillips, Hailey Coutts tries).

Winnington Park 9 Widnes 33

MISTAKES cost Winnington three tries and any chance they had of matching their prolific visitors at Burrows Hill on Saturday.

Widnes scored 64 points the previous week and hardly needed any help.

But Park’s play was littered with errors. As Widnes pressed the home try line, only resolute defence kept them out and Park counter-attacked through Sam Barton and Mark Warr. Enjoying territory and domination of the scrums, Park took two early penalties by Ben Elliot to lead halfway through the first half.

Having been holding their own in the lineouts, Park were disrupted by the loss of the injured Phil Parrott and Widnes took advantage to score a converted try and take a one-point lead.

Park then had a good spell of pressure and Elliot added another three-pointer, but a misjudged clearance led to another Widnes try before the break.

The second half started well for Winnington and a couple of openings went begging before Widnes scored against the run of play.

Further lapses in concentration gave Widnes another two tries and a flattering scoreline.

Rampaging runs from man-of-the- match Harry Stubbs and Matthew Sant towards the end were not enough to breach the leaders’ defence.

Other scores: Glossop 55 Winnington 2nds 10 (Ian Lamb, Harry Tamblin tries); Park 3rds 57 (Joe Ellis 4, Marc Waltier, Chris Morrison, Paul Wilkinson, Phil Alston, Stuart Clarke tries; Ellis 6 cons); Park Senior Colts 24 (Mungo Dalglish 2, Peter Morten, Mark Gatley tries; Chris Jolley 2 cons) Kendal Senior Colts 11.