Sunday 7th February 2010 Eccles U12's 35 v 7 Bolton U12's

Finally the Under 12s got the opportunity to restart their season and to do so travelled over to Eccles once more; some people say we play more games there than anywhere else!

Missing captain Josh Homes due to a back injury,we had to do a bit of reshuffling with Harry Stocks taking on the No. 9 shirt, Joey Gore moving out to 10 and Dylan Hibbert stepping in one from his normal berth on the wing to outside centre. Jordan Ashton took over the captains metaphorical armband and with Tom Hills assistance kept the guys on their toes all match.

The first exchanges were very even with the ball moving from end to end as both sides sought an advantage but defended stoutly. Dylan revelling in his new role made a series of telling breaks and Joe Hill and Matthew King also got into the act. However, the more determined play of the Eccles forwards gradually allowed them to get on top and to score two well worked tries to leave the half time score at 14-0 despite the Bolton backs running a double miss move in the centres to work Maria Parkinson into a gap which she very nearly converted into a try.

Eccles started on top in the second half and quickly ran in two more scores. However, the Bolton team kept working hard and straight from a kick off Joey Gore fielded a stray kick and tore at the home defence. Good tackling brought him down but excellent recycling produced our only quick ball of the game which the forwards drove deeper into the heart of the Eccles defence. From the ensuing maul Tom Hill ripped the ball and rolled off to scamper into the corner with Maria in support. Tom converted his own try to make the score 28-7. Unfortunately Eccles replied straight from the kick off to make the final score 35-7.

However, Tom saved his best piece of play to the very end when he made the diving tackle of the season to slam the Eccles attacker into touch and almost onto the M60 as he stretched for the line.

Though Eccles undoubtedly deserved their win the disparity in the scores somewhat flattered them as Bolton could have had at least two further scores as the last pass hit the deck on a few occasions.

Man of the match was Dylan for his excellent runs and determination with Tom Hill picking up the Top Tackler award. Firth Lord deserves a mention in despatches for all his excellent work keeping the back line going whilst up front Sam Trueman worked hard, Nat Hill struggled gamely through an injury and Faraaz Mohammed beavered away in every ruck. The front row of Jordan Ashton, Wills Brindle and Joseph Partington also showed real signs of promise and it was nice to see Wills making a break for the line.

We are really showing we have all the skills so the next step is to work on our determination in the tight and to win some more ball for our exciting runners to exploit. The tackling improves in every game with less and less being missed.
Keep going boys and girl we are almost there.