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1
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March 06, 2012 - 08:55 PM
Eccles 37 v Blackburn 12 03/03/12
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Blackburn possessed a big pack and immediately were on the front foot as the ball was well taken from the kick off, throughout the match they continually ran at the home side but it became a frustrating afternoon as Eccles were in the mood. Having regained some of their missing players, Eccles tore into Blackburn and picked up a three point lead after an early infringement. The Blackburn side however found some good territory and upon going blind from a scrum five yards out, the number eight found a huge hole on the blind to go over to register the first try.
Eccles immediately struck back after pressure in the tackle, Danny Nicholls scooped up the ball and outstripped the Blackburn defence which was superbly converted by Chris Finch to go 10 – 7 in the lead. Not happy with going into the lead, Eccles moved deep into the opposition half and after yet another cynical penalty, the Eccles Captain Sean Griffin chose to go for the 3 points to stretch the lead and with the Blackburn winger sliding over for a try not two minutes later it paid dividends as Eccles stayed 13 -12 ahead. The move of the match followed as
After the restart, great play from the pack to set up the lively backline saw Chris Finch tear down the wing only to be decapitated at the end, fortunately regaining his composure (and head) to put the ball over the whitewash. The Blackburn ten was invited to take a ten minute breather and immediately the blue and white men turned the screw as Scot Morton cheekily chipped over the rush defence to regain the ball and send the sprightly Nicholls over for a great score, Finch converting to send the home side into a 27-12 lead.
The second half showed resolve if not the same points return – Scot Morton slotting a drop goal straight away. Blackburn never gave up but with some great defence and dominance from the kick offs from Simon Donovon the visitors frustrations were visible for all to see and revel in. Joe Dale cam e on and rattled a few cages while Greg Wilson was a continual nuisance from start to finish.
The half wore on and the only concern was if Eccles were going to squander a bonus point – not on your nelly! After a scrum the ball was superbly spun out by the acting scrum half Tom Dutton and after snake like hip work, James Donnelly went over to take the score to 37-12 after Finch slotted the conversion.
Eccles will look back on this performance with a positive outlook, a definite improvement but still, with players missing, a building block performance. Eccles will take the short journey on Saturday to Lancaster Road as they take on De La Salle.
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2
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January 31, 2012 - 11:17 AM
Fleetwood 0 - v Eccles 22
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Eccles complete double over League leaders......
Eccles travelled to Melbourne Ave, Fleetwood with a focussed mindset that nothing but a win would do. After the dismal display up in Whitehaven, the side welcomed back the core contingent that had put the Gorton St men in third place.
The game had to be moved to the neighbouring school fields as the Fleetwood pitches resembled the North Pier at low tide.
Eccles began brightly and tore into the opposition who seemed to carry on from where they left off after their earlier defeat in the season at the hands of Eccles - the much vaunted Fleetwood team were once again demolished in the tight and with Greg Wilson leading the way in the backrow, the loose three were allowed to ably support the backs.
The improving Chris Finch was first to go over after outstripping the centre and winger to stretch over for a fantastic opening try, converted by Finch. Fleetwood were starting to show signs of brittleness as the inside centre saw fit to retaliate after a good tackle which saw him having a ten minute spell behind the sticks, Finch once again slotting the kick to make it 10 - 0 at half time.
Into the second half and as the pitch tore up, so did the heart of the Fleetwood defence as strong runs from Andy Maddocks and Greg Wilson created more opportunities for the backs who looked to have the beating of their opposite men, Danny Nicholls was ever the live wire and with Will Hamer putting the opposition on the back foot with sensible kicking the Fleetwood men were looking bemused.
When Fleetwood finally gained some possession they were met with a solid blue and white wall and this frustration spilled over on a couple of occasions to the amusement of the Eccles pack who took everything thrown at them.
Roger Banks had his couple of strong runs only to be chopped down by Eccles captain Sean Griffin and with Steve Lillie securing possession another Fleetwood idea was scuppered.
Fleetwood rang the changes and likewise Eccles introduced some but it was the visitors who continued to launch attacks deep into Fleetwood's half. Simon Donovon showed 'Bolt' like pace and with Ross Seward inter changing passes with Donovon it was Seward who slid over for an excellent effort. Were Eccles finished - No chance, substitute Mark Greenhalgh hit a ball on the inside and sprinted over from twenty yards to the astonishment of the Fleet crowd, converted by Finch.
The referee produced a red in the closing moments as the Fleet flanker saw fit to headbutt the Eccles stand off and shortly after the final whistle blew.
Eccles will go into this weeks game against Heaton Moor on a high however there is loads to work on as on reflection this should have been a forty point victory.
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3
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January 17, 2012 - 10:19 AM
St Benedicts 17 v Eccles 10 14/01/12
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Eccles travelled to Whitehaven at the weekend to take on a rejuvenated St Benedict’s who the week earlier had run second place Kirby Lonsdale close – a tough encounter was expected.
The visitors started brightly with good possession and early forays deep in to the Bennies half who were looking straight into a low winter sun. The forwards asserted dominance at scrum time and had the home side reeling backwards on their own ball however this never transpired into more than one or two phases of play. Chris Finch broke the deadlock with a converted penalty and after another forward thrust it was the same lively youngster who tore his way through numerous tackles to go over for a fantastic effort, again converted by himself.
Benedict’s were not going to lie down and with more and more possession being gained from the lineout it was becoming a frustrating afternoon for Eccles who are normally so adept at this part of the game. Ten minutes before half time the Merseyside official saw fit to send Sean Griffin to the bin for cynical play – harsh to say the least as it was the first penalty conceded by the visitors. Immediately St Benedict’s smashed over for a try and as the half was brought to an end it was stern words time.
The second half improved somewhat with better application from the visitors with Ross Seward and Wayne Williams starting to produce forward momentum that would create some type of platform for a frustrated backline whop were surviving on scraps on the back foot – credit must go to the West Cumbrian outfit who fought for everything and pushed the boundaries of crooked feeds and offside to the limit. More pressure from Bennies saw a try come after some amateurish play from the visitors and the home side grew visibly as they stretched to a 17 – 10 lead.
Eccles rang the changes with what players they had at their availability but no matter what was thrown at the home side they stood firm and held out for a deserved win. Eccles can blame the lack of cards shown for numerous spoiling and delaying tactics but bottom line was the game was lost through poor preparation with unavailability of certain players and lack of commitment along with decision making on the park that on another day could have put the game out of site for the home side.
Eccles now have a week’s rest to regroup and prepare for the next league fixture away at league leaders Fleetwood.
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4
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January 10, 2012 - 09:46 AM
Eccles 19 v De La Salle 3 07/01/12
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Eccles take local bragging rights
The local derby between Eccles and De La Salle took place at the weekend with the home side coming out victorious after a good game of rugby played in decent sprit. The home side asserted immediate pressure from the kick off with a thrust from the pack and after Mat Nombelo was taken out without the use of an arm in the tackle, captain Sean Griffin immediately pointed to the sticks with Chris Finch slotting the three points.
From the restart the home side gathered possession again and used the strong breeze to gain good field position and from a superb forward thrust Glen Cahill squeezed over for his eleventh try of the season, the conversion just sliding past the upright from out wide. Eccles continued for the next few phases with total forward domination at scrum and lineout which frustrated the visitors who seemed eager to spread the ball wide away from the forwards. After another over exuberant tackle from the De La Salle stand-off McAtee, the referee gave him a ten minute breather in the bin. Eccles again showed a mature approach to what was always going to be a test of character and after some excellent support play from Simon Donovan it was the outstanding Greg Wilson who smashed his way over from close range.
As the half was brought to a close and with Finch slotting another penalty after yet more indiscretion at the ruck, Griffin gathered his troops and set the stall out for the second half.
De La Salle certainly were never going to lie down and as the second half got underway it was clear to see that the 16 – 0 lead was never under threat but the bonus point aspiration could be. The visitors made a few forays into the Eccles half utilising the wind and with some excellent work from Evans and Berry the visitors visibly grew into the game however the brick wall defence in the centres through Nombelo and Mike Lewin stood firm all day. After the referee had sent another De La Salle player to the bin for punching and the Eccles substitute for receiving one, McAtee slotted the visitors first and only points with a penalty.
The half was coming to a close and Eccles defence stood firm, if the game had have been played until midnight it seemed unlikely that the defensive effort would be troubled and so came the end of what was a good game of hard competitive rugby played on the whole in good spirit by two committed sides. De La Salle to a man congratulated the winning team and were good company in the clubhouse afterwards.
Eccles will look back somewhat disappointingly at the game with the bonus point frustratingly slipping through their fingers, again, praise has to go to the Eccles backline which were unprintable all day and of course the pack who asserted total dominance yet again at set piece with number seven Greg Wilson taking the plaudits as Man of the Match.
Eccles now turn their attentions to St Benedict’s of Whitehaven on Saturday which promises to be another tough encounter.
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5
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December 14, 2011 - 08:20 PM
Eccles 28 v Old Aldwinaians 10
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Eccles prove too strong for the Audenshaw high flyers.
The Gorton Street men hosted Old Aldwinians on Saturday in difficult conditions and came away with a bonus point victory and sent the disgruntled men from across the city packing with little more than a wet kit to take away with them. The rain was stop start throughout the fixture and made for a forward battle that the home side took with both hands, dominating the much larger pack in set piece. W ith huge pressure coming from numerous scrums it wasn’t long before the visitors crumbled under immense pressure at scrum time, Andy Maddocks converting from the blind side after Glen Cahill had spurned numerous chances from eight.
Regaining possession and playing smart field position it wasn’t long before the visitors lost control at another scrum and the whistle blower had seen enough sending the blinside flanker for a ten minute breather. A couple of silly errors that could be put down to the inclement weather brought Aldwinians some joy with regard to territory however the backs stood firm and showed improved defensive work resulting in spilt possession and breakaway forays back into the visitors half.
Aldwinians showed some resilience and finally troubled the scorers midway through the half from an Eccles error, the ball was snapped up for the winger to sneak in at the corner. Eccles were not going to take this lying down and with immediate possession from the restart a penalty was won which Captain Sean Griffin asked the impressive Chris Finch to take a shot at goal which stretched the lead to 10 – 5. Eccles again regained possession from the drop out and again pinned the visitors back in their own half, resulting in a scrum which with the pack obliterating their opposition, the ref could only run to the sticks to award a penalty try – 17 – 5 at half time.
The second half started with Aldwinians converting a penalty for over exuberant play which narrowed the score to 17 – 8. Eccles seemed to step up another gear and after some good approach play from both backs and forwards the ball found its way out to Finch who skirted around the centre who look d like he was treading water with the electric youngster touching down under the sticks to make his own conversion that much easier, 24 – 8. To their credit, Aldwinians found themselves five metres out from the Eccles line immediately and although tier was heroic defence the big second row reached out of the tackle to go over for the try which was converted, 24 – 15.
Eccles were not going to relinquish such dominance throughout the game and with a revitalised last fifteen, composure was regained for the eventual bonus point try which was scored by the evergreen Cahill. The ball was retained for the last ten and again, experience and power saw the five points go the way of the home side.
Eccles now face Blackburn in another important game, the final one before the festive break.
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6
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December 06, 2011 - 10:51 AM
Heaton Moor 8 v Eccles 22 03/12/11
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Eccles made the short journey to Heaton Moor to attempt to make it a four game winning run in the North Lancs / Cumbria League.
In horrendous conditions, the Eccles pack tore into the Moor forwards, attempting to create a platform for the young backline to test themselves against the strong opposition.
The conditions were not conducive to an expansive game so 'up the jumper' it was and after superb drives into the heart of Heaton Moor it was skipper Sean Griffin who picked from the base of a ruck and smashed his way over from ten yards out, converted by Chris Finch.
Moor immediately hit back off the back of poor handling and spilt possession. The home side were finding it increasingly more difficult to break a ferocious defensive wall, only coming away with a penalty.
Though Eccles had superior territory and possession, it was apparent that this had to be turned into points and to the relief of the visiting support it was the consistent Andy Maddocks who was next to crash over after a superb 20 metre drive from the pack.
Into the second half and Moor tried again to penetrate the Eccles line and with the introduction of the 'live wire' Zander Classen, Eccles expected a wider game which did happen though the Eccles back three took car of any attempt to flank the Gorton Street men in particular Chris Finch who made a couple of superb try saving tackles.
Moor did finally penetrate the whitewash only for an immediate response by Pete Cibula who carried a few Moor players over for another great effort.
Unfortunately, Eccles couldn't secure the bonus point but will take heart from another gritty display. Reece James, Will Parkinson and Chris Finch stood out in the backs along with another fine forward display.
Eccles face high flying Aldwinians at Gorton Street on Saturday.
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7
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November 22, 2011 - 11:19 PM
Eccles 22 v Fleetwood 17 19/11/11
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Fleetwood arrived at Gorton Street on Saturday having won 11 from 11 - they would however not improve on that after an outstanding performance from Eccles.
Eccles started brightly however the visitors were first to get points on the board with a penalty for an early infringement. The game settled down with ferocious tackling and a desire to gain the upper hand. The much vaunted Fleetwood pack were blitzed by a superb platform from the front five which in turn allowed the back row to boss the breakdown. With Simon Donovan and Steve Lillie securing lineout it wasn't long before Josh Boothman could launch the back row into the heart of a mesmerised Fleetwood. It was Sam Simpson who was first to go over for the first try after great work from Mike Lewin and Mat Nombelo, 5 - 3. Fleetwood hit back with a converted try after Eccles switched off for a brief second allowing the pacey winger to outstrip a scrambling defence. As the ref decided to give a player from either side a breather the half time whistle blew with the home side trailing 10 – 5.
After the break, The home side saw another player lost to the bin for another over exuberant challenge, this seemed to galvanise the visitors who again showed blistering pace to sneak over from halfway. Were Eccles to let the game go away, no chance as Sean Griffin, Ross Seward and Man of the Match Simpson held an attacking scrum with only seven men to create a superb platform Cahill to nip over for his tenth of the season. Fleetwood hit back with everything they had but another superb long range effort finished by a rampaging Seward which was converted by the impressive Chris Finch brought the score level with fifteen to go.
Eccles moved further up the pitch and turned the screw with another well taken lineout from Donovan which set the platform for Simpson to fall over the line from inches out to send the crowd into overdrive. Fleetwood most certainly played their part in what was the best game of rugby seen at Gorton Street in years, more pleasing was the spirit, application and desire to win from all eighteen players wearing the blue and white hoops. Big thanks to all supporters who showed superb backing throughout the afternoon and long into the evening – roll on whoever!
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8
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November 15, 2011 - 03:14 PM
Eccles 26 - v St Benedict's 3 12/11/11
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Eccles enjoyed a well-earned victory over St Benedict’s of Whitehaven on Saturday. The visitors came with a big side who were looking to unsettle Eccles from the start.
The home side enjoyed greater possession throughout the game with huge dominance at scrum time and better lineout play than had been the basis of a decent start to the season. Eccles were keen to play a territorial game and in turn kicked deep into the corners with a good chase that pinned Bennies into their ‘red zone’. Smelling the scent of points, it was Glen Cahill who eventually broke the white wash after a huge effort form the scrum against the head, Cahill touching down from all of six inches.
The visitors hit back with a penalty though it was their only points of the game and to be fair, their only foray into Eccles half as the Gorton Street men squeezed the life out of the visitors. St Benedict’s stood firm in defence though with some huge hits in the centres, Mike Lewin doing well to recover from a fantastic tackle that left him strewn across the field. Some of the tackling started to border on the proverbial ‘clothesline’ and late into the bargain – this produced a couple of cards resulting in the Bennies number ten taking an early bath.
The next points came after some good p[lay by the forwards, Josh Boothman spread the ball wide to a rampaging Andy Maddocks who tore over for a great effort – Eccles sensed the bonus point maybe possible, the try being successfully converted by the outstanding Tom Dutton. Soon after the Benedict’s coaching staff brought on fresh front row players to stem the supremacy but to no avail as again, Cahill was the recipient of another super effort at scrum time. With three tries on the board it was now of paramount importance that the forth ‘bonus point’ try was obtained – fifteen minutes to go and total dominance, the onlookers were convinced it was to be.
Further indiscretions led to good territory and the decision to go for line and scrum at every opportunity seemed to create a sense of panic within the Eccles ranks, spilling crucial ball and falling inches short on a few occasions – it was not to be as the whistle blower brought the game to a close with what seems on paper a good result winning 26 – 3, the majority of the home members were scratching their heads how the try never came.
Tom Dutton took the Man of the Match with great play in both the tight and loose, Will Parkinson and Andy Maddock’s pushing him close. St Benedicts deserve some mention especially the centre pairing who stood firm all day and forced the home side back to the forwards for the majority of the afternoon. Ross Seward took the ‘Big Girls Blouse’ award for a footballers ‘kick out’ which could have resulted in a ten minute breather.
Eccles will now face their toughest test of the campaign on Saturday when they face top of the table Fleetwood, bring it on……………
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9
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November 08, 2011 - 10:38 AM
Didsbury TH 10 v Eccles 17 05/11/11
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Eccles travelled the short distance to Didsbury off the back of a poor show at Kirkby Lonsdale.
On a beautiful afternoon the visitors decided to go up hill in the first half and let the home side struggle with the sun that shone brightly as it dipped.
Eccles fielded a very inexperienced backline who were starved of possession early on as the Eccles pack soon asserted scrum dominance and secured their own ball at line out. Good work at the breakdown from Glen Cahill and Greg Wilson gave decent platform for Tom Dutton at scrum half who in turn fed the forwards to soften Didsbury up.
It was Toc who after a few penalties decided to take the three points on offer and try to get a platform to build on. Eccles immediately replied with a great pushover try from Cahill. Unfortunately, the door was not shut at this stage and admirably, Toc came back, time and time again swinging the ball from side to side.
At the turnaround, some stern words at half time seemed to wake the Eccles side up and the ball seemed to be valued more with less spilt possession and better penetration with good inroads from Sean Griffin and Simon Donovan.
Tom Chapman at full back worked tirelessly with great kicking from Tom Dutton it wasn't long until Eccles went over again from another superb forward drive that Didsbury couldn't answer, Cahill again the recipient of good work.
Didsbury struck back straight away but this time through Nombelo, the game was there for the taking. Some last ditch tackling from Eccles. Kept the home side out in what was a good win on the road finishing 10 - 17.
Eccles will face St Benedicts from Whitehaven on Saturday
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10
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October 18, 2011 - 11:02 AM
Millom 5 v Eccles 31 15/10/11
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Eccles travelled up to the West Coast of Cumbria to face Millom who had been comprehensively beaten earlier in the season at home. The home side had acquired some of their promotion winning players back and with an improved recent record, Eccles knew the game would need winning.
Millom came out strong running everything down the hill into the hearts of the Eccles defence, gaining good possession with reduced numbers in the lineout. It took twenty minutes for the visitors to work out the rejuvenated Cumbrian outfit but after asserting total set piece dominance, the tries came thick and fast through Mike Lewin, Sam Simpson, and Tom Dutton. The signs looked ominous for the home side who continued to show great counter rucking spirit especially through their openside who enjoyed disrupting clean ball.
The bonus point was secured by half time when after some great interplay with Andy Maddocks and Sean Griffin, the ball found its way out to a confident back line who went over and were ably supported by the sprightly Greg Wilson..
The second half was again total dominance but to everybody's surprise, the token try from Ross Seward followed by Jimmy McGuigans third conversion was all the official had to pencil in other than a consolation try at the ond which did put a slight dampener on what was a positive result.
Eccles with the bonus points win secured enjoyed fantastic hospitality from a gracious Millom Clubhouse, the win see's Eccles move to third in the table. Workington will visit Gorton Street on Saturday attempting to avoid the 'double' after earlier losing to Eccles back in September.
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