Carnforth travelled to Chorley at the weekend to face old friends from the RFU days in a 3 North outing. Skipper Shane Weed was able to assemble a squad of 17 players to travel with a couple of late cry offs from Friday evening which can never be helped. In came Dale Lowrie at full back to allow Mathew and Jason Short to link in the centres. Shaun Hodgson assisted the front row with his first game of the season and a return for Will Hedley to the back row with Brad Wheatman at Number 8.
In cool conditions and a wet pitch at Chorley Panthers RLFC the ball was always going to slippy, the referee - in his best game of the day - did a great job in keeping the game flowing from end to the other and both teams played some great rugby in front of a crowd who braved the weather.
Both teams had early chances before Carnforth took a 10th minute lead, Weed sent the ball to hooker Dave Hones, he scampered 30 yards down the pitch before being caught just short off the line, his offload saw supporting winger Uni Mike grab his first try of the season. Ten minutes later and it was Hones who was able to get on the score board, a superb break by second row Sam Tomlinson saw the supporting hooker Hones take the ball to touch down, Mathew Short converted.
Chorley hit back well with their half backs linking well, scrum half Chris Highton was always a dangerous player and today was no different (apart from his flip over attempt late in the game). Lowrie saved a certain try in the corner with a great cover tackle.
Weed and Hedley were able to combine for Carnforths third try with Hones again being allowed to break through before scoring his second of the game, Short again converting. Joe Harrison and Jack Dorsett both came close to adding scores but on the stroke of half time it was Mathew Short who touched down after being put through a gap by Jason Short in the centres. Mathews conversions gave his team a 26 - 0 half time lead.
On came Steve Mallett to give Hodgson a break, Steves rewards for being with the squad most weeks and not getting as much game time as possible.
Chorley came out of the blocks quicker in the second half and within 3 minutes their half backs linked for a well worked try - game on. The hosts then enjoyed a spell of possession but with Harrison, Tomlinson and Wheatman all making crunching tackles the game went back into Carnforths favour. Jason Short made the initial break, Harrison took play on before a superb offload saw Mathew Short notch his second of the day, conversion making the score 33 - 7.
Chorley again responded well and a pushover try gave them a glimmer of hope but with Donald Haddow and Nick Hamer linking well at 9 and 10 the Carnforth backs were seeing plenty of the ball. With 12 to go Mathew Short completed his hat trick with a superb jinking run from half way took him round the defence to score a fine try, conversion also going over. Carnforth were looking to finish the game strongly and with 5 to go a well worked move involving Matti Davenport from the line out saw Uni Tom score on debut, again Short added the two extras.
Chorley had the last say with a powerful break from their second row, also converted for a 21 - 47 scoreline to Carnforth. Despite the score we slip to 3rd on points difference.
Man of the match - Mathew Short
This weekend sees two massive games at Kellet Road - the first team entertain Clitheroe in a 2nd versus 3rd battle whilst on the bottom pitch sees a return for the Carnforth 2nds/veterans side against Clitheroe 3rds.