ECCLES RFC 1897-2022 125TH ANNIVERSARY 1897 Official Match Day Programme Season 2021-22 - Price £2 ECCLES v ALDWINIANS LANCASHIRE ADM PREMIER DIVISION ECCLES 2XV v ALTRINCHAM KERSAL 2XV 22ND JANUARY 2022 K.O. 2.15PM
CLUB INFORMATION President - Mark Dutton Chairman - Chris Gaffey Honorary Secretary - Dave Nicholls Honorary Treasurer - Mike Bateman Fixtures Secretary - Don Edmondson Director of Rugby - Sam Simpson Safeguarding Officer - Heather Thorpe D of E Chairman - Mark Baines Mini & Junior Chairman - Dan Nicholls Junior Fixtures Secretary - Leeann Aspinall Ladies Captain - Rowanne Smalley Mens’ Captain - James Wright To play rugby Contact: Mens’ Head Coach Sam Simpson 07935 403171 Ladies Head Coach James Wright 07791 227616 Mini & Junior Chair Dan Nicholls 07789 202189
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME Welcome to Eccles Rugby Football Club A warm welcome to all the teams playing at Eccles RFC this weekend, 2022 is officially our 125th Anniversary and although we’ve only played here at Gorton Street for the last 75 years we’ve always had our home in this community. One of the great things about our club is our inclusivity; teams for Mini’s, Juniors, Girls, Colts, Ladies and Men means you can come down to the club Saturday or Sunday and be entertained. At Eccles RFC we place great importance on developing youth and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing some of our talented Home-Grown colts stepping up to play in the seniors this coming year alongside our new recruits. It has been a strange year with everything that has been going on but the club has still been extremely busy. The money we raised through Crowdfunder, £40K+, has put us in an exciting position to commence several ground improvement projects. The club would also like to thank all the volunteers for their dedicated effort. We’d not be able to operate without their contributions. I can’t name all them all as I am limited to one page, but you all know who you are. The club would also like to thank their sponsors as the financial support you contribute greatly helps with maintaining our facilities and activities. We can offer something for everyone including ‘Walking Rugby’ on Monday nights at 7pm which, for those who’d like to give it a try, has no age, gender, or ability limitations. Once again, welcome to the club and please enjoy your day. Our clubhouse bar is CAMRA award-winning and (for those over the age of 18) I’m informed has a fine selection of match refreshment, especially with our new friends from the First Chop Brewery. Mark Dutton // Eccles RFC President
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME A very warm welcome and a Happy New Year to all our supporters and visitors at Eccles RFC today. I wish you all the best of health for 2022. Let’s hope the year ahead provides us with more certainty and positivity. Our Mens, Ladies and Junior fixtures have all recently been disrupted by COVID and weather conditions, so if you are reading this you can assume the match is going ahead! Our 1XV opponents today, Aldwinians have decent form on the road this season, but have not played away in the ADM Premier League since last November. In the fixture back in October Eccles suffered a 29-20 defeat over at Audenshaw Park and we’ll be looking to reverse that result today and move up into the top half of the table. Consistency of team line up and performance has continued to be a problem for Eccles this season but many of our homegrown young men are adapting well to first team rugby and we hope to see an improvement in the conversation of opportunities into points today. We also welcome Altrincham Kersal 2XV today, who share a similar playing record to our 2XV this season, with both teams tied on 26 points in Division 2 South, so their game promises to be a close and competitive contest (and with both Mens teams at home today I expect the post match clubhouse bar will be the same!) Despite our Senior and Colts teams struggling to find a winning formula on the field, there’s certainly been a renewed camaraderie within the squads and the atmosphere in the clubhouse at the weekend is now returning to its buzzing best (restrictions permitting!) We’re working hard here at Eccles to overcome the set backs of COVID by promoting the game and invigorating its growth within our community. Since last summer, the club has taken big strides forwards with its Mini & Junior rugby, with increased numbers across all 10 teams. Whist other clubs have curtailed their development of youth due to a decline in numbers, we’re a hive of activity and bursting at the seams on Sunday mornings! Our Community Rugby Coach is engaged with local schools and the club is now growing at a healthy pace with over 460 members. Of course, this surge in participation and the maintenance of our facilities would not be possible without the invaluable assistance we receive from our sponsors and the continued dedicated commitment of our volunteers. Donating your time to support the club's activities can be very rewarding so if you’d like to get involved and put something back in please do step forward. Whichever team you’re supporting this weekend, I hope you enjoy your match experience at Eccles and you keep returning throughout the season. Thank you for your support in what will be our 125th Anniversary year. Let’s get stuck in! Chris Gaffey // Eccles RFC Chairman
HEAD COACH NOTES A very warm welcome and a Happy New Year to everyone attending Gorton Street this beautiful late January afternoon. I hope everyone made the most of the Christmas period and all the festivities that comes with it. Today we welcome old friends Aldwinians RUFC. These clubs have had many a good battle over the years with the spoils going the way of our visitors in the meeting earlier in the season over at Aldwinians. The Eccles squad is really looking to continue to develop its style of play and to understand how getting our accuracy nearer to 90% is the key to us being successful at what we do. Eccles are still definitely in a rebuilding stage as a new group but although we were on the wrong side of the results in a lot of the games prior to the Christmas break we were extremely happy about how we wanted to play the game in most of those contests. I’m hoping today we can produce something really positive on the field, giving all who are watching something to enjoy. Sam Simpson // Eccles RFC Director of Rugby
ECCLES JUNIORS Spotlight on… ECCLES UNDER 14s! This week’s spotlight match report is on our ferocious Under 14s. This impressive squad of year 9 boys are a cracking bunch of lads, fast developing into a well-rounded rugby outfit! Recently moving to the full 15-a-side game means they’re on the lookout for new recruits, welcoming anyone who wants to join a group of dedicated individuals at the fastest growing Junior section around… Now competing on a full-size pitch, they’re looking to grow their squad size, increase fitness and continue to enjoy a flamboyant U14s brand of rugby! Despite matching up against bigger squads this season, these fired-up 14s have only suffered 3 losses…on two occasions, it was an easy argument to make that they were the better team! These lads are committed, brave and boast a never-say-die attitude. Ex-players and experienced coaches Paul, Jimmy and Mark put the lads through their paces every Wednesday evening and Sunday morning. With just a few extra players, this team can go to the next level. Do you know a year 9 boy that is looking for a committed team at a brilliant club? Look out for our community rugby coaches in local schools this term. Eccles specialists James and Dan will be at Bridgewater, Walkden, Salford City, Irlam, Harrop Fold, Moorside and St. Patrick’s. Delivering curriculum-based PE lessons and extra-curricular clubs and fixtures, spread the word and ask your PE teacher if you want to get involved! A rugby team is made up of all types. All shapes, sizes and personalities are welcome at Eccles. We’re #Rugbyforall. Join the pride, boost our team and be proud of something special. Contact Team Manager Sarah: 07834347788
ECCLES COLTS ECCLES JUNIORS 1897
ECCLES LADIES A very happy new year from all involved with Eccles Ladies. We enter the new year after a turbulent ending to 2021 which has seen us not play a competitive fixture for nearly 6 weeks. Whilst this has left our fit and healthy players with a large gap to fill on a Sunday afternoon it does give us a chance to clear the physio room and welcome back some key individuals. We are very excited to welcome a raft of Senior players back to our ranks in January and hope not to be waiting too long to see the likes of Rebbecca Roden, Georgia Cunliffe and Rhianna Scott. We do however have to wait a little longer to welcome back fan favourite Bonnie Flemming we hope to see her back in blue and white before the end of season but we may have to wait until the touch season restarts (her true calling). Our eagerly awaited return will have to wait another week unfortunately but we are very excited to begin the second half of the season. We travel to a very strong Sale 1861 side for our first outing full of determination to build on a strong performance in the home leg. We continue to work hard behind the scenes to grow the section back to it's former glories. We hope that the remainder of the season is uninterrupted and allows us to showcase our improvements on a weekly basis. Our ever-growing section is steadily percolating down into our junior ranks and gives us even greater motivation to set the stage for our future stars. It's a great year to become and Eccles Lady whether you're a mini, Junior or Senior. Come along and give it a go James Wright // Eccles RFC Womens and Girls Rugby Head Coach .
WALKING RUGBY Numbers attending Walking rugby at Eccles are slightly down in the past few weeks due to self-isolating and some very poor weather. We do however have four new members to the group - a mum of a Junior player, two former senior players and a new recruit who heard about us from a friend. Eccles RFC were one of the first clubs in the region to embrace Walking Rugby and our group remain the largest to date. We are now approaching our 2nd year and until the Covid lockdown in March our activities had been continual. We recommenced Walking Rugby activities on the 7th of September and had 19 participants at the first session. This response is a good reflection of our group of guys and gals who have a strong bond, turn up regularly, and play enthusiastically every Monday evening at 7.00pm, on the 3G pitch, regardless of the weather conditions. Our challenge in the months ahead will be to re-instate the momentum we had gained and get our Walking back up to speed! The game itself encompasses a touch tackle rule so we’re within the RFU guidelines, and we’re also coming to terms with the necessary technology to make registration and playing possible ( we also keep a paper record of participants for those who are not smart phone savvy) We keep in touch through our own What's-app group and new players from within the club are always welcome so why not give it a try! To join the Walkers call me on 07747 570345 Alan Bent // Eccles RFC Walking Rugby
DUKE OF EDINBURGHS AWARD In 2011 Eccles RFC became the first rugby club in the UK to offer the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award scheme for its young people aged 14 to 24. A decade on, our DofE award scheme has grown from strength to strength, and can take great pride in the attainment of over 200 prestigious awards (48 Gold, 62 Silver, 127 Bronze) achieved by its players. This remarkable success is a testament to the committed effort and dedicated persistence of our participants and the club volunteers who lead the programme. The DofE award gives young people the chance to learn new skills for life. Consisting of four areas of personal endeavour - Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition (plus a Residential experience at Gold level), the DofE inspires and encourages commitment, personal development and an adventurous spirit in young people to help resilience them gain to the confidence and successfully overcome whatever life throws their way. The award programme compliments Rugby activities here at the club and instills in our future adults the importance of team work and tenacity in reaching goals. To celebrate our 10-year association with the DofE Award scheme, this season the club decided to proudly emblazon all new Eccles RFC Mini and Junior Rugby shirts with the DofE award crest. This initiative was supported by Seward Refrigeration and the Morson Group who provided the financial security to ensure that every Mini and Junior player, aged 5 to 16, could be provided with a new full kit. Anyone who has visited the club this season on a Sunday morning will agree it's been heart-warming to see hundreds of kids running out in those sparkling new Navy and White hoops! Although our sponsors did not make their commitment for reasons ofpublicity we think it only right and proper that we take this opportunity to recognise and express our appreciation of their patronage, without which we could not do what we do. Eccles Rugby Football Club and our DofE award scheme is steadfast in its principles of inclusivity. There are many families within this district suffering hardship and it remains important to us that no member is denied the opportunity to participate as a result of financial contraints. Providing the DofE Award is not without costs. The club holds a central stock of equipment (tents, maps, compasses, cooking stoves, gas etc) but in addition to the annual £1500 licence fee we also need to replace the majority of our tents this coming year due to rodent damage caused whilst in storage during the Covid lockdown. So, we are delighted to confirm that the M&J Christmas events helped to raise £400 for our club's DofE section! Thank you all for your generosity and support it makes a difference. CG.
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GORTON STREET GAZETTE Today our 1XV will be entertaining Aldwinains RUFC, who were founded in 1936 as Old Aldwinians Association, formed from old boys who attended Audenshaw Grammar School. The first record of a game between Eccles and Old Aldwinians we can find in the club archives is from the 1946/47 Season, when Eccles played at Redclyffe Road, near Barton Swing Bridge. The fixture planned for 15th March, 1947 - Old Aldwinians 1stXV v Eccles1stXV was cancelled but the return matches 12th April 1947 resulted in a wins for both Eccles teams; Eccles1stXV 11 v Old Aldwinians 1stXV 8. Old Aldwinians 5 "A" v Eccles "A" 22 The match report paints a picture “ECCLES LEAVE IT LATE. Eccles entertained Old Aldwinians at Barton on Saturday and won a keen game by 11 points to 8 on Saturday, the issue being in doubt until the closing minutes of the game .Having lost the toss, Povey kicked off and Eccles were quickly on the attack. Play was fairly even but just in the final minutes before the interval, Aldwinians took the lead in a surprising manner. Eccles were coming away from their 25 after a defensive spell and Warren was going through, but seeing his progress barred, he kicked ahead. But his kick, a hard one, landed fairly and squarely in the stomach of Johnson, the visitors' centre, standing only two yards away and somehow or other stuck. Nobody looked more surprised than Johnson, but he was quick to size up the situation and was away in a flash to score under the posts. This was converted to give Aldwinians an interval lead of 8-3, but within three minutes of the resumption, Eccles were level, Leigh picking up to score a try which Povey converted. Try as they would, however, Eccles could not cross the line again and it was not until five minutes from the end that Povey kicked anoth er penalty to give them an 11-8 victory.” The photo (taken in October, 1946) shows Tom Povey as Captain and also W.S. Warren, cross legged 3rd from the left - mentioned in the article. All Saints church at Redclyffe Road appears in the background.
GORTON STREET GAZETTE Eccles appear to have the edge in these early encounters- 22nd Nov 1947 Eccles 1stXV 7 v Old Aldwinians 1stXV 6, and 9th Oct 1948 - Eccles 1stXV 9 v Old Aldwinians 1stXV 5 was actually one of the first games played at our new Gorton St ground. The match report for that game reveals the pitches were originally orientated the other way around "Mayor won the toss and made use of a stiff breeze in attacking the Winton end" . Eccles v Old Aldwinians continued to be a regular fixture all the way through the 1950s but the continuity stopped in the 1960/61 Season. Eccles also has a long playing relationship with our 2XV visitors today from Altrincham Kersal RUFC. Kersal Rugby Football Club were formed in 1897, the same year Eccles Rugby Football Club were re-established following the great Northern Union upheaval of 1895. Kersal played in Prestwich until 1922, when they moved to Stretford, then Flixton and ultimately to their present ground at Stelfox Ave, Timperley in 1968 when they adopted ‘Altrincham’ into their name. There are numerous reports of Eccles v Kersal fixtures throughout the early 1900s, the earliest we’ve found is November 1909 Eccles 5 v Kersal 12 and November 1911 Eccles 4 - Kersal 1. The first game after WW1 recorded is October 1920 Eccles 3 v Kersal 3, played at Stott Lane Salford, with "Kersal kicking off towards the hospital" an indication of the position of the pitch. Committee minute book - 70 years ago 7th Jan 1952 - Club Treasurer Mr. Gilbody remarked that the marking out of the ground was deplorable and that we should be getting reported by the Union referees. It was agreed that members should make a greater effort to carry out the marking before the game. 14th Jan 1952 - Irwell Sports club is to be written to by the Secretary informing them, that as they intend to be a Rugby League club, we can have no dealings with them concerning the use of our ground. 21st Jan 1952- The Rugby Union instructional film is to be shown on Tues. 22nd Jan. An invitation to attend has been received from Old Salfordians. Sheila Thomas (with Chris Gaffey chipping in) // Eccles RFC Historian
Tables 2021-22 Season ECCLES MEN 1XV ADM PREMIER DIVISION LANCASHIRE LEAGUES Didsbury Toc H Widnes Liverpool Collegiate Liverpool St. Helens West Park (St. Helens) Aldwinians Oldham Eccles Wigan Ormskirk Fleetwood Burnley (Withdrawn) ECCLES MEN 2XV NOWIRUL DIV. 2 SOUTH HALBRO NW LEAGUES Broughton Park 2XV Warrington 2XV Didsbury TOC H 2XV Anselmians 2XV Macclesfield 2XV Knutsford Crewe & Nantwich 2XV Manchester 2XV Eccles 2XV Altrincham Kersal 2XV Bowdon 2XV Liverpool University Veterans TBA TBA GAMES 11 11 13 12 12 14 14 12 13 12 12 14 RESULTS P W D L POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS BP LBP ADJ 11 0 0 381 95 286 53 9 0 10 0 1 313 113 200 48 8 0 9 0 4 235 228 7 43 7 0 8 0 4 281 189 92 38 6 0 8 0 4 279 224 55 38 6 0 8 0 6 236 234 2 38 6 0 5 0 9 186 282 -96 25 5 0 4 1 7 194 268 -74 22 4 0 5 0 8 133 286 -153 21 1 0 4 0 8 146 371 -225 19 3 0 2 1 9 151 245 -94 14 4 0 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 GAMES 11 12 12 11 12 12 12 13 11 11 10 9 0 0 RESULTS P W D L POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 11 0 0 428 110 318 55 0 0 10 0 2 324 142 182 53 1 0 7 2 3 325 181 144 45 1 0 7 1 3 171 159 12 42 1 0 8 1 3 347 145 202 40 1 0 4 0 8 225 368 -143 30 2 0 4 0 8 166 337 -171 28 0 0 3 1 9 217 455 -238 28 0 0 3 2 6 230 223 7 26 1 0 4 0 7 218 259 -41 26 0 0 2 0 8 147 337 -190 17 2 0 1 1 7 121 203 -82 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ECCLES MENS TABLES
MENS FIXTURES-RESULTS CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME Date Mens 1XV 28-Aug-21 Burnley - CUP 04-Sep-21 Ormskirk 11-Sep-21 West Park St. H. 18-Sep-21 Widnes 25-Sep-21 02-Oct-21 Wigan 09-Oct-21 Aldwinians 16-Oct-21 Burnley 23-Oct-21 Didsbury Toc H 30-Oct-21 06-Nov-21 Liverpool Coll. 13-Nov-21 20-Nov-21 Liverpool St, H. 27-Nov-21 04-Dec-21 Oldham 11-Dec-21 Fleetwood 18-Dec-21 West Park St. H. 24-Dec-21 28-Dec-21 31-Dec-21 08-Jan-22 Widnes 15-Jan-22 Wigan 22-Jan-22 Aldwinians 29-Jan-22 Burnley 12-Feb-22 Didsbury Toc H 19-Feb-22 Liverpool Coll. 05-Mar-22 Fleetwood 12-Mar-22 19-Mar-22 Liverpool St. H 26-Mar-22 02-Apr-22 Oldham 09-Apr-22 Ormskirk 18-Apr-22 23-Apr-22 HA Results H 77 - 15W Mens 2XV A 22 - 24W Bowdon 2XV H 22 - 40L Manchester 2XV A 36 - 7L Warrington 2XV A 29 - 20L Warrington 2XV H HWM A 38 - 22L Crewe & Nantwich 2XV A Anselmians A 22 - 17L A 18 - 5L Didsbury Toc H 2XV Liverpool Uni. Vets. Knutsford H 13 - 10W Macclesfield 4XV H 11 - 11D Broughton Park 2XV A PP - PP Manchester 2XV H 15 - 23L A H 58 - 24W A A A PP 7 - 34L PP - PP HWM A 26 - 26D HA Results A 33 - 7L H 67 - 0W H 26 - 5W H 29 - 15W Altrincham Kersal 2XV A 34 - 19L H 24 - 37L H PP - PP A 27 - 24L Warrington 2XV H A H H A H A H Aldwinians 2XV Southport 2XV Broughton Park 2XV Bowdon 2XV A H A H HWM Crewe & Nantwich 2XV H Anselmians Didsbury Toc H 2XV Liverpool Uni. Vets. H A H A 39 - 0L Altrincham Kersal 2XV H
ECCLES PLAYER SPONSORS
WISHING ECCLES RFC EVERY SUCCESS FOR TODAY AND THE 2021/22 SEASON.
Eccles 1XV Aldwinians 1XV 1. Dale Hughes 2. Tom Coe # 3. Ross Eaton # 4. Zak Brooker # 5. Simon Donovan # 6. Ryley Thornton # 7. Reece Walker # 8. Lee Brennand # 9. Tim Cullen # 10. James Wright # 11. Matt Parkinson # 12. Chris Fortune 13. Tom Dutton # 14. Damola Ayalaja-lowo # 15. William Parkinson # 16. Danny McManus # 17. Fin Cox # 18. Neil Williams 19 TBC 20 TBC #Homegrown at Eccles RFC Coach-Sam Simpson # 1. A., Nathaniel 2. T. Gibson 3. J. Sharples 4. A. Gidman 5. A. Ormrod 6. R. Holland 7. C. Price 8. L. Quinn 9. M. Ross 10. P. Anglin 11. L. Kern 12. J. Henderson 13. T. Hughes 14. J. Taylor 15. M. Dempsey 16. S. Nicholson 17. K. Hirons 18. Davis-Garbutt 19. C. Santos 20. C. Odesile 21. R. Mooney Coach-B. Marsland TODAY’S REFEREE: Jack Sharpen - (MADREFS) TEAM SHEETS
TEAM SHEETS Eccles 2XV 1 Josh Green # 2 Tom Sleeman 3 Stuart Cork 4 Cammy Higginbottom # 5 Anthony Dutta 6 Javi Manzanares 7 Liam Thornley # 8 Keiron Reed # 9 Sam Long 10 Harry Candland # 11 Tim Balogun # 12 Jordan Bromley # 13 George Tyson 14 Wesley Chiriseri # 15 Rory McGrath # 16 Scott Marshall 17 Rich Owen 18 David Smith # Altrincham Kersal 2XV 1. C. Weighell 2. D. Holden 3. B. Stevens 4. J. Mitchell 5. R. Dutton (C) 6. K. Lalley 7. J.. McDonald 8. G. Edge 9. S. Gallimore 10. N. Foster 11. I. Himsworth 12. S. Yarrow (VC) 13. S. Lewis 14. A. Butterworth 15. J. Snoddy 16. A Thomas 17. R Brown 18. T Sullivan 19. J Curnow *Replacements may change and may include John Hibbert, Tom Mayo #, Luke James Coach-Mark Greenhalgh #Homegrown at Eccles RFC TODAY’S REFEREE: Jerry Frain - (MADREFS)
1XV MATCH REPORT TEAM SHEETS Saturday 15th January 2022. Wigan 27 - 24 Eccles. Eccles arrived at the Douglas Valley Ground looking to start 2022 with a positive performance. The 1XV had achieved a 29-15 victory over Wigan at Gorton Street in October fielding a youthful team, and despite player availability once again resulting in an unfamiliar line up an away win would provide a welcome boost. It was a pleasant winter afteroon as the game kicked off in sunny conditions. Eccles started brightly putting Wigan under immeadiate pressure. An Eccles line out inside the opposition 22 was won by the hosts who attempted to counter attack, but Matt Parkinson collected the ball in his own half and weaved through the midfield, evading tackles to attack up the right flank, offloading to supporting lock Javi Manzanares on the wing, who in turn passed back inside to openside Reece Walker who charged though to score the opening try with 3 minutes played. Converted by the boot of Alex Speakman 0-7 Eccles. Despite striking the first blow, Eccles were kept inside their own half for the next 10 minutes by Wigan who, in responding to the early set back, enjoyed better possession and field position for the next 10 mins. At 20 mins Eccles made an effective break out fo defence, once again up the right wing, resulting in a line out and driving maul, leading to a penalty in front of the sticks, which Speakman slotted home without difficulty. 0-10 Eccles. Wigan made a concerted effort to respond and although Eccles were ahead they were not comfortable. The pressure eventually paid off when Wigan scored a try in the corner with 35 mins played and a following the restart a penalty for the hosts just before the break brought them right back into the game 8-10. Having made a good start, Eccles failed to take control of the game with Wigan confidence increasing as the first half progressed. HT 8-10 The second half kicked off and Wigan secured a penalty almost straight away for offside, giving them a straight forward opportunity to go ahead; 11-10. Wigancontinued their acendency as Eccles were unable to keep possession long enough to advance thier cause. Eccles played themselves into trouble more than once and the hosts eventually crossed the line to score on 50 minutes. The conversion hit the post, but there was no reprieve for Eccles as 2 minutes later, straight from the restart Wigan are awarded another penalty in the midfield and the hosts extended their lead. 19-10. Eccles attempted to shift momentum back in their favour with a sustained attack inside the 22, but a loose carry resulted in a deep exit kick from Wigan. The Eccles return kick did not find touch and the ball was returned with pace up the left wing by the Wigan number 12, who broke though attempted tackles to run the ball in behind the sticks. 24-10. Eccles restarted the game with renewed determination and for the next quarter of an hour put Wigan under attacking pressure. The Eccles forwards pounded away at the defence but are unable to find a way through to the goal line only a few metres away. At 66' Jay Christey breaks from an Eccles scrum with the ball, but is injured in the tackle as he drives for the line and is carried from the pitch with a suspected dislocated knee*. Eccles continue to build pressure, Wigan are pinned inside their 22 and another Eccles injury out on the right wing halts the clock. With 5 minutes remaining Chris Fortune ruptures the defensive line to score under the sticks to set up an exciting finish. 24-17. Wigan attack from the restart but Alex Speakman intercepts the ball and bursts free, running about 70m before he is caught and brought down just inches short of the goal line. The resulting mellie leads to an Eccles penalty scrum. With 3 minutes on the clock the ball is moved swiftly to Will Parky who swerves through the defenders to score under the sticks. Alex Speakman converts for the extras and it's all square with 2 minutes left to play. 24-24. Wigan restart, reclaim the ball in the middle of the pitch, are awarded a penalty and secure the victory with the last play kick. Whistle. FT 27-24.
Tables 2021-22 Season ECCLES LADIES WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH 2 Sale 1861 Bishop Auckland Birkenhead Park Sheffield Manchester Didsbury Toc H Crewe & Nantwich Darlington Eccles GAMES RESULTS P W D L 9 8 7 6 9 8 9 4 6 ECCLES SENIOR COLTS SENIOR COLTS U18s PRELIM. D HALBRO NWL Kirkby Lonsdale Rossendale Eccles Sale Southport Altrincham Kersal SENIOR COLTS U18s CONF. F HALBRO NWL Sale Crewe & Nantwich Whitchurch Rossendale Eccles TBA GAMES RESULTS P W D L 5 5 5 5 5 5 GAMES RESULTS P W D L 4 3 3 3 3 0 ECCLES JUNIOR COLTS JUNIOR COLTS U17s GAMES PRELIM F HALBRO Aldwinians Glossop & Marple Eccles Clitheroe Broughton Park & TMV TBA 4 4 4 4 4 0 POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 9 0 0 359 93 266 43 7 0 7 0 1 285 129 156 35 7 0 5 0 2 252 77 175 25 5 0 4 0 2 172 59 113 21 5 0 3 0 6 151 270 -119 14 2 0 2 0 6 177 337 -160 13 5 0 2 0 7 120 228 -108 11 3 0 1 0 3 35 111 -76 5 0 0 6 34 281 -247 1 1 0 1 0 POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 5 0 0 151 51 100 25 0 0 3 0 2 98 84 14 18 1 0 2 1 2 76 94 -18 15 0 0 2 0 3 109 123 -14 14 1 0 2 0 3 77 66 11 13 1 0 0 1 4 38 131 -93 7 0 0 POINTS F TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 2 0 2 64 83 -19 13 1 0 2 0 1 74 41 33 12 1 0 2 0 1 77 50 27 11 0 0 2 0 1 48 50 -2 11 0 0 0 0 3 39 78 -39 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 RESULTS W D L F POINTS TOTALS A DIFF PTS TBP LBP ADJ 4 0 0 151 79 72 20 0 0 3 0 1 117 74 43 16 0 0 2 0 2 111 161 -50 12 0 0 1 0 3 65 97 -32 9 0 0 4 114 147 -33 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 ECCLES LADIES & COLTS TABLES
ECCLES LADIES & COLTS FIXTURES Date Ladies 1XV 19-Sep-21 26-Sep-21 Manchester 03-Oct-21 10-Oct-21 17-Oct-21 Sale 1861 24-Oct-21 Crew & Nantwich 31-Oct-21 07-Nov-21 Bishop Auckland 14-Nov-21 Birkenhead Park 21-Nov-21 28-Nov-21 Sheffield 05-Dec-21 Darlington 12-Dec-21 18-Dec-21 Didsbury Toc H 26-Dec-21 01-Jan-22 08-Jan-22 16-Jan-22 Sale 1861 HA Results A 50 - 24L H 00 - 52L A 10 - 00L H 10 - 19L A 60 - 00L H PP - PP A PP - PP H PP - PP A 90 - 0L 23-Jan-22 30-Jan-22 Crewe & Nantwich H 06-Feb-22 Bishop Auckland A 13-Feb-22 20-Feb-22 27-Feb-22 Birkenhead Park 06-Mar-22 Sheffield 13-Mar-22 20-Mar-22 Darlington 27-Mar-22 03-Apr-22 Didsbury Toc H 10-Apr-22 Manchester Date 05-Sep-21 12-Sep-21 19-Sep-21 Rossendale 26-Sep-21 Fleetwood 03-Oct-21 Southport 24-Oct-21 Littleborough 14-Nov-21 Whitchurch 21-Nov-21 Rossendale 12-Dec-21 Sale 16-Jan-22 Southport H 26 - 22W A 19 - 57W Southport H 8 - 17L 10-Oct-21 17-Oct-21 Altrincham Kersal A 7 - 7D Clitheroe H 16 - 53W Heaton Moor H 12 - 33L A 21 - 15L H 12 - 24L A 27 - 15L 23-Jan-22 Crewe & Nantwich A 30-Jan-22 Rossendale 20-Feb-22 Sale H A 27-Feb-22 Crewe & Nantwich H 06-Mar-22 Whitchurch A A Aldwinians 0 - 0W A 58 - 10L H 33 - 12W H HWM Senior Colts H A H A HA Results Junior Colts Glossop & Marple Broughton Park-TMV HA Results A 36 - 10L H 58 - 55W
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The Duke of Eccles - Still the best Bates to play at the club. Ultra Welding Equipment Proud to support Eccles RFC
SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING Eccles RFC is run by dedicated volunteers. With over 120 years behind us we are a resilient, ambitious, progressive, inclusive, community rugby club and welcome support from businesses who share our ambition and passion. Sponsorship opportunities 2021/22 Community Coaching sponsorship - £15k Platinum Club Sponsorship - £10k Duke of Edinburgh Award Sponsorship - £10k Senior Team Sponsorship - £5k Junior Team Sponsorship - £3k Pitch-side Advertising boards - £500 Programme advertisement - £250 Senior Player Sponsorship - £150 Our sponsorship packages are flexible. For more information please email us at sponsorship@ecclesrfc.org.uk 1897 You can raise money for Eccles RFC every time you shop online by using EasyFundraising.co.uk Just register on the website, name us as your cause and shop as normal. The club receives a donation for the purchases you make. Easy.
CODE OF CONDUCT Eccles Rugby Football Club encourage Spectators to: • Act as a positive role model to all. • Behave with dignity and generosity. • Support your club’s efforts to uphold its reputation. • Respect Rugby’s values. Discipline and Sportsmanship define our game. • Respect the match officials' decisions, even if they appear to make a mistake. Remember, they are volunteers and without them there would be no game. • Encourage all players irrespective of their ability. Never ridicule a player, regardless of the shirt they wear. • Appreciate good performance and achievement from all players, irrespective of their team. • Acknowledge effort and endeavour rather than the desire to 'win at all cost'. • Support the players. Shout ‘for’ them not ‘at’ them. • Never verbally abuse players, coaches, match officials or fellow spectators; such negative behaviour affects the players and referee’s performance and attitude. • Remain behind the barriers. The field is for the competitors. Remember children play rugby for their own enjoyment, not for that of the spectators. 1897
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