1XV MATCH REPORT TEAM SHEETS Eccles 7-24 Didsbury Toc H In beautiful spring sunshine, the teams observed 1 minute silence in tribute to Eccles stalwart Ted Nicholls RIP, before kick off. Didsbury got the game underway and enjoyed good attacking possession for the first 5 minutes but were unable to break through the Eccles defensive lines and play remained in the midfield. After the opening exchanges, Eccles successfully moved the game into Didsbury Territory for the next 15 minutes and an enjoyable physical contest developed. Sustained pressure and good passing from Eccles kept the ball on the edge of the visitor's 22 for several phases. Multiple penalties were awarded but Eccles declined to kick for points, instead opting for the quick tap with limited success. On 25‘ a high tackle was awarded and as Eccles looked to attack quickly inside the Didsbury 22, an outrageous late hit on Chris Fortune went unseen and unpunished by the official. The game was halted for treatment to be administered and Didsbury escaped without card and were awarded possession, which they duly punted down field. The game remained in Eccles territory for the next 5 minutes. A Didsbury penalty in the centre field was kicked to touch in the right corner, and an opening score might have been expected from a driving maul but the Eccles defence defiant. On 35 minutes, Gavin Ackers Johnson anticipated and intercepted a Didsbury pass on the Eccles 22, and the winger raced way with the bal, leaving the pursuing fullback behind him, to dot down between the sticks and break the dead lock with the opening try; converted by James Wright. The first half was a close competitive contest and Eccles went into the break deservedly ahead, having earned the lead through strong defence and enjoying the greater attacking possession. HT 7-0. Eccles however made a poor start to the second half, kicking to Didsbury who returned the ball through the lines to score two quick tries from two restarts edging into the lead with only a few minutes played (7-12). Eccles battled back but were unable to mount a serious threat to the Didsbury goal line and the score remained unchanged for 25 minutes as Eccles appeared to run out of steam. As the game edged into the last 10 minutes it was Didsbury who were able to find the grit to put the result out of doubt. At 70’ sustained PnG attacking pressure from the visiting Forwards resulted in a 3rd try (7-17) and once again straight from the Eccles restart, Didsbury kicked the loose ball remained through the lines to score a 4th try on 72’ to secure the victory and maintain their unbeaten run at the top of the ADM Premier League Table. FT 7-24.
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