BackSat 18 Feb 2017 ·  Division 3 North
Preston Grasshoppers 4
1st XV
17
67
Tries: n oconnor, J Short (2), K Hardy, M Short (2), n hamer (2), d haddow, r oldfield, j harrisonConversions: M Short (6)
Preston Grasshoppers 4ths 17 Carnforth 67
alan hardy19 Feb 2017 - 08:01
Carnforth back into promotion slots
Carnforth took the short M6 distance to Preston on saturday to face a team who have recently had some great results. With a good following on the sidelines it was Carnforth who came away with victory - 11 tries being scored as we moved back into 2nd position in the league table following Clitheroes defeat at Liverpool.
Skipper Shane Weed was forced into changes, Kevin Hardy back at scrum half, Donald Haddow into the back row, a return for Matty Mcguire into the second row with Sam Tomlinson moving out to the wing, Jason Waterhouse and Jason Short returned to the pack. There was also a club debut for Ryan Oldfield who showed excellent promise.
Carnforth set off in confident fashion, Jason Short made the initial break, Tomlinson took play on before full back Nathan OConnor showed great vision as he cut inside to score. Preston hit back almost immediately with a well struck penalty from their fine full back. But Carnforth got back over the try line when MCguire and Nick Hamer linked up, the latter putting through Jason Short with a superb pass and the number 8 finished superbly, Mathew Short adding the 2. Minutes later and OConnor, Short and Dan Blenkharn linked to allow Hardy to cut through the defence to score his first try of the season.
The new laws enforced by the RFU have seen referees clamp down on the high tackle and again Joe Harrison fell foul of this as he spent 10 minutes on the sidelines. Carnforth had to withstand pressure for a period of time, OConnor putting in an excellent try saving tackle, Phil Metcalfe using all his experience in defence and the forwards worked together as Preston came at Carnforth, Dave Hones, Matti Davenport, Haddow, skipper Weed all putting in crunching tackles.
To rub salt into the Preston wound Carnforth were able to break clear when Mathew Short intercepted and with son Harry roaring him on, the centre scored under the posts, his conversion giving the team a 24 - 3 half time lead.
Carnforth used their bench wisely with Oldfield, Steve Mallett and Adam Seaton all joining in the second half. From the restart Hones took the ball, Waterhouse, Hamer, Jason Short all carried the ball forward before Hamer took play on to score a well worked team try, Mathew Short converted.
Back came Hoppers and there scrum half pounced following good work by the forwards. Despite the Preston pressure Carnforth hit back strongly with Harrison making the break to allow Jason Short to burst through for a 2nd try. Preston grabbed a third try in the corner to maybe give a hint of a comeback but Carnforth took control for the last quarter.
Man of the match Jason Short caused further problems for Hoppers before Haddow was able to sprint away for his first try of the season before Mathew Short was again cutting through the middle of the park (despite having his head guard being taken off) he broke for his 2nd try, he added both conversions as Carnforth led 50 - 17.
Carnforth were not finished as Hardy and Blenkharn combined to allow Oldfield to show some excellent pace as he charged down the pitch to score on debut as Short converted. Harrison was the next to grab a try following OConnor, Hamer and Short setting up play through the centre of the pitch, Harrison attempted the conversion!!.
The last play saw Hamer produce an superb dummy as he latched on to excellent work again by OConnor who had run the ball from his own try line, Hamer scoring the final try and his second as a 67 - 17 scoreline was racked up.
Thanks to the travelling support and thanks to Hoppers for the hospitality - we hope the injured players are ok.
Man of the match - Jason Short
This weekend we travel to Rochdale.
Skipper Shane Weed was forced into changes, Kevin Hardy back at scrum half, Donald Haddow into the back row, a return for Matty Mcguire into the second row with Sam Tomlinson moving out to the wing, Jason Waterhouse and Jason Short returned to the pack. There was also a club debut for Ryan Oldfield who showed excellent promise.
Carnforth set off in confident fashion, Jason Short made the initial break, Tomlinson took play on before full back Nathan OConnor showed great vision as he cut inside to score. Preston hit back almost immediately with a well struck penalty from their fine full back. But Carnforth got back over the try line when MCguire and Nick Hamer linked up, the latter putting through Jason Short with a superb pass and the number 8 finished superbly, Mathew Short adding the 2. Minutes later and OConnor, Short and Dan Blenkharn linked to allow Hardy to cut through the defence to score his first try of the season.
The new laws enforced by the RFU have seen referees clamp down on the high tackle and again Joe Harrison fell foul of this as he spent 10 minutes on the sidelines. Carnforth had to withstand pressure for a period of time, OConnor putting in an excellent try saving tackle, Phil Metcalfe using all his experience in defence and the forwards worked together as Preston came at Carnforth, Dave Hones, Matti Davenport, Haddow, skipper Weed all putting in crunching tackles.
To rub salt into the Preston wound Carnforth were able to break clear when Mathew Short intercepted and with son Harry roaring him on, the centre scored under the posts, his conversion giving the team a 24 - 3 half time lead.
Carnforth used their bench wisely with Oldfield, Steve Mallett and Adam Seaton all joining in the second half. From the restart Hones took the ball, Waterhouse, Hamer, Jason Short all carried the ball forward before Hamer took play on to score a well worked team try, Mathew Short converted.
Back came Hoppers and there scrum half pounced following good work by the forwards. Despite the Preston pressure Carnforth hit back strongly with Harrison making the break to allow Jason Short to burst through for a 2nd try. Preston grabbed a third try in the corner to maybe give a hint of a comeback but Carnforth took control for the last quarter.
Man of the match Jason Short caused further problems for Hoppers before Haddow was able to sprint away for his first try of the season before Mathew Short was again cutting through the middle of the park (despite having his head guard being taken off) he broke for his 2nd try, he added both conversions as Carnforth led 50 - 17.
Carnforth were not finished as Hardy and Blenkharn combined to allow Oldfield to show some excellent pace as he charged down the pitch to score on debut as Short converted. Harrison was the next to grab a try following OConnor, Hamer and Short setting up play through the centre of the pitch, Harrison attempted the conversion!!.
The last play saw Hamer produce an superb dummy as he latched on to excellent work again by OConnor who had run the ball from his own try line, Hamer scoring the final try and his second as a 67 - 17 scoreline was racked up.
Thanks to the travelling support and thanks to Hoppers for the hospitality - we hope the injured players are ok.
Man of the match - Jason Short
This weekend we travel to Rochdale.
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