The open period in this encounter was very tight. With strong defensive play often smothering promising moves, the opening period was a tight one as both teams probed for openings. On 12 minutes, Martin McGeough just missed a penalty for Eddies after a late tackle had provided the opportunity to open the scoring.

Hawcoat Park exerted pressure 18 minutes in. Securing line-out ball just 5 metres out, the Cumbrians fed their back line. Strong running from their inside centre (Barrow Rugby League player – Liam Harrison) provided the opportunity for his centre partner to make his way unchallenged under the posts. With their fly-half slotting the conversion, the Old Boys found themselves 7-0 down.

This prompted a strong response. The Old Boys set up camp in their opponents’ 22. A bullocking run from Mark Callan in centre-field was followed by some powerful play by Mark Polson who helped provide quick ruck ball to give the backs space. Unfortunately, with the ball going to ground on this occasion just short of the line, the opportunity was missed.

Good turnover ball allowed Eamonn Hughes to surge upfield from his own half. With the ball recycled, Sam Heague slid a teasing grubber kick behind the Hawcoat defensive line. The defence struggled to deal with the situation and were penalised for holding on. From the ensuing line-out, the Old Boys’ pack set up a driving maul which took them within inches of the line. Scrum-half, Michael Delea fed half-back partner Heague who drew the defence, timing his pop pass to perfection as our outside centre ran a great line to touch down just to the right of the posts. McGeough converted to bring the scores level with 28 minutes gone.

Within five minutes the Old Boys had taken the lead. Heague once exploited a weakness on the opposing left wing by chipping through and leading a chase which forced their winger into a mistake. Heague seized upon this and and released our outside centre once more to run home his second try of the day. McGeough’s conversion agonisingly hit the top of the left hand post and stayed out leaving the score 7-12.

The Old Boys were in the ascendancy at this point and shortly afterwards an effective box kick by Delea was collected by our left winger who raced deep into Hawcoat’s half. Unfortunately his inside pass seeking out Delea in support just failed to go to hand.......

Half –time: Hawcoat Park 7 – 12 St. Edward’s OB

5 minutes into the second period, opposing centre Harrison crashed through some uncharacteristically weak Old Boys’ tackling on the half-way line and left the scrambling defence floundering. He was therefore able to feed an inside ball to his supporting flanker who went in unopposed under the posts. With the fly-half once again converting, the Old Boys were again playing catch-up at 14-12 down.

In response, Hughes again made a strong break to link with our left winger who was the victim of a high tackle. With the ball quickly recycled, second row Michael Gow athletically picked up and scampered up an unattended blindside. Desperate defending slowed his progress but with scrum-half Delea gamely adding his weight to the drive, the try was claimed in the corner. The referee remained unconvinced and brought the play back for the earlier high tackle.

The Old Boys mounted significant pressure during this period as they remained camped deep in the Hawcoat 22. Penalties were drawn, 5 metre scrums awarded. A quick tap penalty was rashly taken in front of the posts as calm composure appeared to give way to a degree of over-eager panic. This appeared to be a key phase of the game and the opportunity to go into a one-point lead should have been taken at that point.

On 60 minutes, Luke Naylor came on in the front row. The game became more evenly balanced but slightly scrappier as it drifted into the final quarter.

With 13 minutes to go, another high tackle (a running theme of the game) produced another scoring opportunity for the Old Boys. From 30 metres out, McGeough slotted the three points to restore the Old Boy’s lead at 14-15.

Four minutes later, with the Old Boys for once on the positive side of the penalty count, the Cumbrians were penalised for being offside in the centre. McGeough again calmly stepped up to add a final crucial three points.

With Andrew Spencer replacing Callan in the front row, the Old Boys set their stall out to hold onto their lead and some sterling defensive work in the last few minutes allowed them to secure a well-deserved victory on the road.

Full-time: Hawcoat Park 14 – 18 St. Edward’s Old Boys

Scorers:

Tries: Outside centre, Tom Nuttall (2)

Penalties: McGeough (2)

Conversion: McGeough (1)

Man of Match: [b]Outside centre, Tom Nuttall[/b]

In the end this was a solid all round team performance. The scrum was much stronger than the previous week providing a good attacking platform for Hughes. Michael Marshall was prominent in the lineout both in attack and defence and was a significant force in a series of successful driving mauls. Despite the occasional lapses, the defensive effort was excellent. There remain areas where improvements can be made. The error count can still be reduced significantly and we need to be more composed and patient when exerting pressure on our opponents. However, to come away with the points from a long trip to Barrow is certainly something not to be sniffed at and was a credit to all involved – roll on the next game at home to Burnley!

Written by Dave Moran[b][/b]