Whitby 10 Acklam 28

By Mark Collins

A great away win for back in form Acklam

After an under par display last time out Acklam produced possibly their best performance of the season in an excellent 28 - 10 win away to Whitby.
Playing with a strong breeze behind them in the first half Acklam immediately went on the attack and within the first ten minutes created an overlap for winger Chris Mallam who was eventually tackled inside the Whitby 22. However, Acklam won the ball from the home team's scrum and were then awarded a penalty, which they ran and although held up initially prop Jamie Bowtell-Potter went over from the second phase. The try was converted by stand off Danny Ashton to give Acklam a nil seven lead. After 15 minutes Whitby had a chance to get on the scoreboard when Acklam were penalised in their own 22, but the kick at goal was missed. Then Acklam went back down the field to win a penalty of their own, kicked by Ashton. Acklam continued to threaten and a good move from a scrum saw winger Josh Abraham slice through the home defence to score near the posts to give Ashton an easy conversion . A few minutes before half time Whitby scored a penalty, but two more penalties by Ashton kept the scoreboard ticking over and Acklam had a 20 point lead at half time.
Facing the wind in the second half Acklam came under more pressure, but defended strongly and disrupted the Whitby scrum. The home side eventually pegged Acklam back with a converted try to reduce the arrears to 10 - 23. However, Acklam were determined not to let the game slip away and dominated the last 10 minutes. A good run and kick by Brad Gator resulted in a Whitby player being forced into touch near the home try line and after a great drive by Acklam's pack prop Paul Owens forced his way over to put Acklam out of sight. Acklam finished the game totally on top and although denied a bonus point 4th try when Gator was stopped just short, they were happy with a convincing 10 - 28 victory, to keep them unbeaten and top of the league.
Updated 13:26 - 8 Oct 2017 by Paul I'Anson