Moor’s previous game at Tarleton in December last season was played in driving rain and near storm-force winds and resulted in a very one-sided competition, with the hosts coming away with a sizeable victory. This time, the game took place in balmy conditions, on a very pleasant September afternoon, albeit with a strong breeze blowing diagonally across the pitch. This did play a part in the proceedings and it was the home side that made the best of it to run out comfortable winners.
Tarleton kicked off and played into the wind and for the first ten minutes, play was confined to the Moor half of the field. Eventually, Moor took play into the opposition's territory courtesy of a couple of penalty kicks to touch and from the second of these, the ball was thrown over the top at the lineout to prop James Brennan who took play to their opponent's 5-metre line, from where the ball was recycled along the three-quarters and then back inside to hooker Mike Maguire, who crossed for the opening try, which, despite the wind in Moor’s favour, was unconverted. The home side came straight back and five minutes later were awarded a penalty within kickable range of the visitor’s posts, but, inexplicably, they chose to take a scrum instead, which they lost, resulting in Moor being awarded a penalty, allowing them to clear their lines with a kick to touch. Soon afterwards, Tarleton were back on the attack and when awarded another penalty, again in conversion range, elected to kick to touch, but again this was disrupted by Moor, who were able to relieve the pressure with a kick deep into Tarleton’s territory. From that point, play remained primarily in mid-field, but with the home side having the majority of possession. For their part, Moor defended well, but when in possession themselves, seemed unable to adequately use the conditions to their benefit and it never seemed likely that they would cause the hosts too many problems. It wasn’t until the last five minutes prior to the break that Moor had the better of the play, when a penalty kick to touch took them to within 10 metres of the Tarelton line. Winning the resultant lineout, they kept control of the ball, but were unable to break through, eventually being awarded a penalty within range, but again, the kick to increase their lead was just wide. This brought the half-time score of a slim 5-0 for Moor and leaving spectators with the impression that they needed to have scored a few more points given that Tarleton would be playing with wind in the second half.
From the restart kick by Moor, the home side immediately made use of the conditions by returning the ball deep into the latter’s half, from where it was fielded, passed along their back line, before reaching left-winger Myles Maclagan, who set off on a 70-metre run which took him up to the Tarelton 5-metre line, before he was bundled into touch. Even though the visitors managed to disrupt the resultant lineout, Tarleton cleared their lines and shortly afterwards found themselves back in Moor territory, where they were awarded a scrum in midfield. From here the ball was rapidly distributed down their three-quarter line and for the first time in the match, Moor’s defence was found wanting, as the hosts burst through to open their account with a try in the right-hand corner, followed by an excellent conversion from the touchline and five minutes later, they went further ahead after more pressure resulted in a penalty goal being kicked. Midway through the half, in one of their few incursions into the opposition's territory, Moor were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to touch. On winning the lineout, the ball was recycled along their back line allowing full-back Tom Shaw to join at pace and burst through some less than effective tackling to score out wide. With the conversion failing, it now meant that Moor were back on equal terms, but with still a quarter of the match to be played and with the wind at their backs, it was only a matter of time before Tarleton retook the lead. This came following repeated drives towards the visitor’s line and then a delicate chip over the top of the advancing cover, resulting in one of their players running through to touch down, followed by a conversion. To add to their task, Moor also had a man sin-binned in the lead-up to this score, but they managed to weather this as during the period they were a man short, Tarleton were unable to add to their total and the visitors very nearly scored a third try. This followed an attack into the Tarleton half, where repeated drives took them up to the line, but they were rather unlucky to be penalised just as it looked as if they might force their way over. With only five minutes to go and restored to a full compliment, it looked as if Moor might at least hold out for a losing bonus-point, but increasing pressure from the hosts resulted in another penalty goal for Tarleton and a couple of minutes later, a Moor throw-in at a lineout on their 10-metre line was adjudged not to be straight, handing a scrum to their opponents. From this, Tarleton then took play via repeated rucks towards the Moor line and in what turned out to be the last play of the game, scored their third converted try, bringing the game to a close with a well-deserved 27-10 victory for them.

This Saturday, Moor entertain Glossop at Green Lane, k.o. 3:00 p.m.