Oldham U14s v Eccles U14s

Oldham U14s entertained a strong Eccles U14s for their first home game of the season. For the 3rd week in a row, the weather was excellent for a game of rugby. After last week disappointment of only taking 12 players, all Tim’s and Josh’s work during the week had paid off with Oldham having a full squad for the first time of the season. More importantly a strong squad.

After a brilliant warm up, the boys were looking in good shape and focused for the task ahead. Oldham started better and straight way were on the front foot with Johnathon McDermott, playing his first game for a year, making an excellent break down the left wing. Then good defence from Eccles caused Oldham to knock on, this gave an opportunity for the front row to show their dominance. Again for the 3rd game in a row Marshall Yates, Cameroon Elliot and Joel Cunniffe pushed their opposition pack off the ball and turned a defensive scrum into attack. Some great forward play by Harris Borrows, Jamie Queenan and Lewis Miller brought Oldham into the Eccles 22. After all the hard work done by Oldham they couldn’t make the opposition pay and dropped the ball meters away from the try line, letting Eccles off the hook. This didn’t stop the home side and again Oldham were able to get inside the Eccles 22 after a great pass from Josh Fitzgerald put Oldham’s newest recruit Cayden Whitehead down the wing only to be tackled inches from the line. With Oldham looking like they were going to score, again errors kept holding them back. 20 mins had gone and Eccles hadn’t been in Oldham’s half but after some great hands by the opposition in their own half, Eccles against the run of play scored their first try which they converted. Eccles weren’t done there and took advantage of the shocked Oldham team to score another quick fire try, this time unconverted. After some stern words by Oldham Co-Captains Max Walsh and Harrison Green, Oldham got straight back on the attack and some great pick and drives going forwards especially by Alfie Wood, earned Oldham a penalty 5 metres out. Joel Cunniffe got given the ball from a quick tap and took 4 players over the line with him to score, sadly unconverted but Oldham were on the scoreboard and definitely in the game.

Half time Score: Oldham u14s 5 v Eccles u14s 12

Eccles started the second half like a different team, taking it to Oldham. The home side stood strong with Alfie Wood making textbook tackle after textbook tackle. Then came the freak accident, Alfie got injured in a ruck and went down injured, the coaches went over to see if he was okay and heard the dreaded words “It’s my Spine”. An ambulance was called and the game was moved to the other pitch. The Oldham lad’s performance dramatically dropped after the accident and to be honest I don’t blame them as coaches and parents we were all worried for Alfie. Eccles turned on the style and scored 5 tries against only one further score from Oldham with a try by Harrison Green out wide. Converted by Josh Fitzgerald.

Final Score: Oldham u14 12 v Eccles u14 42*

A massive thank you goes to all Oldham’s and Eccles coaches and parents who were very helpful and concerned with the injury to Alfie. The first half was a great game with Eccles class and fitness coming through late on. Oldham’s Man of the match went to the injured Alfie Wood, not for getting injured but for his overall game in the first half, especially some outstanding tackling.