After a disappointing result against Little Hulton the week previous. Garswood we're determined to get a result and put things right.

The game started with Runcorn kicking down the hill to Garswood. After completing their first set well, Garswood forced a mistake from Runcorn in their own half but were unable to score after making a mistake when threatening Runcorn's line.

Runcorn are unable to complete their set of six after kicking out on the full gifting Garswood some good field position. After a strong run and line break by Wayne Bullough and great offload sees Greg Brown score under posts, kick converted. 6-0 Garswood.

Runcorn then put the kick off out on the full, again gifting Garswood great field position. From the tap restart Garswood are on the Runcorn line by the 2nd tackle. A run and dummy from the play of the ball by Craig Johnson sees him carry 4 defenders over the line and plant the ball down. Kick missed, Garswood lead 10-0.

Garswood give a penalty away on the next set for crossing, inviting Runcorn into their half for the first time. But the defence manages to hold them out. Garswood receive a penalty late in the set for Runcorn's markers not being square. A quick play of the ball sees Jack Fedigan pick up from dummy half and run straight through the Runcorn line and round the full back to score. Conversion by Greg Brown - Garswood 16-0 Runcorn.

Garswood find themselves in the Runcorn half again, but a forward pass sees them surrender possession. Garswood give a poor penalty away on the last tackle for offside, Runcorn capitalise and score in the corner. 16-6.

From the kick off Runcorn gain another penalty from Garswood but a forced offload is recovered and Garswood have possession back. Garswood pin Runcorn on their own line and they're forced to kick from deep in their own half. Garswood start on the half way line, but after Frankie Scales takes a scoot in, he decides to offload to a man still retreating back despite that player being ten yards in front of him.

Runcorn threaten the Garswood line but are held out. The referee somehow gives a penalty to Runcorn for messing around at the play of the ball, they take a few drives and then play the ball wide and score in the corner. Kick missed, 16-10 to Garswood.

Runcorn knock on from the resulting kick off, but Garswood are unable to capitalise before half time with an error of their own.

Half time - Garswood lead 16-10

Runcorn start the second half the stronger with some good possession in the Garswood half, but they can't find the final pass. Both teams go head to head for a number of sets with neither making a big impact until Garswood come up with an error on half way. Runcorn again get to the Garswood line but knock on in the act of scoring.

Garswood receive back to back penalties and spread the ball wide on the first play, Scott Whittle hits a great line and offloads to Micky Bolton who goes in at the corner. Kick missed - 20-10 Garswood.

The next set sees Garswood kick on the last but a good return by the fullback sets them up in good field position and they force two consecutive drop outs but the Garswood defence keep them out again and force an error. This frustrates the Runcorn team and they give a penalty away for dissent.

Garswood march down the field and spread the ball wide again, Micky Bolton in for his 2nd of the afternoon in the opposite corner this time. Kick missed. Garswood 24-10 Runcorn.

Garswood try to wrap the game up but come up with a few errors giving Runcorn good field position, after holding them up a number of times over the line. Runcorn put on a play around the play of the ball and they go in under the posts. Garswood 24-16 Runcorn.

Runcorn feel as though they're on a roll and camp on the Garswood line again, they're held up twice by some determined and desperate Garswood defence, rather than a kick on the last tackle they pass the ball wide and score in the corner. Garswood 24-20 Runcorn.

Garswood kick back off to Runcorn, Garswood line speed in defence sees Runcorn trying the force the ball at every opportunity to get the match winning play, but they knock on. The ref blows his whistle for full time.

Full time - Garswood 24-20 Runcorn.

Man Of The Match - David Mitchinson

Head coach Paul Loughlin said - "There was some really strong defence on show today, although we conceded 20 points, those points were only conceded after numerous sets on our own line, if we didn't give silly penalties away I feel like we would've won comfortably. It doesn't help when you've got young lads like Frankie thinking he's playing American Football and passing to our players ten yards in front of him. It made me laugh at the time, but I thought Billy Beef was going to have a heart attack. Putting that aside we got the win and that's all that matters."

Garswood have a week off due to the Easter break. But will travel to Wigan Spring View on April 7th.

Garswood Stags ARLFC

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