Blackpool Gain Upper Hand in Battle for Survival

Blackpool brought 2019 to a close with a hard-fought 17-10 victory away at fellow strugglers Upper Eden.

Pool were forced to name a much-changed line-up to the one that fell disappointingly short the previous week at Trafford MV. Vice-captain, Adam Glover, missed the game with a knee injury and Kieron Taziker and James Wade were forced out due to work commitments.

In better news, Brady Barcock was fit again to plug the considerable gap left by the absent Glover in the backline and Hugh Sweeney returned from the shire to add some guile to the pack. James Carty was also back in action for the first time in over a month, following his own struggles with fitness and finding someone who actually finds him attractive.

From the kick-off, Pool were determined to lay down their marker and were showing far greater purpose than they did at Trafford. The centre partnership of Barcock and Harry Gregory were brutal in defence, causing Upper Eden’s backline into panic mode from the word go. To complement this, Sweeney was getting his hands dirty in the loose supported by his supporting back row cast of Wayne Daws and Carty.

The elements would also have their say as high winds and constant rain made conditions difficult, notably for the Upper Eden lineout, with Daws picking dominating in the air on opposition ball all afternoon. In contrast to this, there were no such problems with Pool’s lineouts, with captain Chris Parlour enjoying a 100% success rate all afternoon. Some could say it was down to skill, most would assume the wind was blowing his arrows into a straight line.

Despite their dominance, it took Blackpool 15 minutes and several lung-busting breaks from Barcock to take the lead. Following some great progress downfield, Blackpool were neatly positioned 10 metres out from the Upper Eden line. As the ball made its way out of the corresponding ruck, Pool’s very own Fat de Klerk at scrum-half, Lucas Crosbie, executed the perfect show and go to slip through the widest of gaps to score. Carty impressively added the extras to give Pool the 7-0 cushion.

This sprung the visitors into life and more carnage from the wrecking ball, Barcock and his partner in crime, the juggernaut, Gregory, catapulted Pool behind enemy lines once more. The ball was recycled by some good support play from the forwards and a neat cross-field kick from Leon ‘Andy Goode’ Mason, found winger Andy Davies out wide to score. Carty’s conversion attempt was again impressive but this time the post denied pool a 14 point lead.

Like sharks circling a bloodied carcass, Blackpool came hurtling forward once more, determined to take advantage of the slightly advantageous wind on their backs and put their opponents out of sight.

The front row of Wilkinson, Parlour and the cornerstone of Blackpool scrummaging, George Hunt were well and truly on top of their opponents at this point, ably supported by a Greg Jones-led second-row effort. Such was their dominance, this would eventually prove to be their undoing but we will come back to that.

From one such scrum, Barcock came bounding on to another short ball from Mason and began another charge up the middle of the park, carrying several bodies with him. With the line beckoning, 5 men just about brought the loose moose to a halt, however an expertly timed offload to the supporting Wayne Daws, saw the number 8 score his first try of the season to send Pool in the break, 17-0 to the good.

Following the half time huddle, a few well-chosen words and some horrendous sideline banter from Glover and Ainscough who between them had realised they could form one shoddily performing body, Blackpool emerged ready to press home their first-half dominance. Unfortunately due to an injury, the referee announced the scrums would now be uncontested.

This seemed to rejuvenate Upper Eden who came rumbling back into the game. Blackpool still had positive moments but mostly down to some dogged defence. There were two scores for the home side to bring the game within one converted score but Blackpool withstood everything the home side could throw at them.

The lack of contest in the scrums proved too much for Hunt with ten minutes to go as he was sent to the sin bin for some funny business in the rucks but to a man, Blackpool refused to let their opponents pass and saw out the win.

This was a different type of win for Blackpool than the ones picked up at Dukinfield and at home vs Fleetwood. Blackpool were forced to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty and they reacted superbly.

Notable performances came from Fat de Klerk at 9, Harry Gregory in the centres who obliterated the opposition in defence at every given opportunity and Andy Davies helped himself to a third try in 4 appearances, further outlining his progression. In the forwards, Sweeney was like Mr Muscle. A scrawny, odorous, weedy looking man who seemed to love the jobs others hated, whilst the experience of Hunt, Parlour, Jones and Daw came in handy.

However, one man laid absolute ruin to the Upper Eden defensive line all day long and therefore Blackpool’s Simply Mortgages Man of the Match was awarded to centre, Brady Barcock.

With the job done well, a minibus full of slightly inebriated Blackpool players made their way back down North to enjoy a well-deserved Christmas night out. Attention now will be turned to Turkey, family and no doubt the odd tipple before a New Year derby game at Thornton Cleveleys, where Blackpool will be hoping to reverse the disappointing 22-17 defeat earlier in the season.

Happy Christmas All