ECCLES RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB
MATCH REPORTS
Wednesday 17th March 2010
Promotion to the 1st Division was guaranteed after this fine Wednesday night victory against Crosfields of Warrington and in front of a large crowd, who could only have been impressed with the display by both teams, Eccles did the work required to earn them their promotion.
Early nerves showed though, but Brad Lonsdale opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a try that Scott Bowden converted (6-0). The pace of the game was tremendous and Crosfields hit back with a Matt Barber try that Jimmy Williams converted 10 minutes later (6-6). A further unconverted try by Dave Pennington for the visitors followed 3 minutes later put them ahead (6-10).
Eccles were shocked into responding, and that they did on 35 minutes and 38 minutes – with the first coming from player/coach Anthony Murray (10-10), and the second from centre Andrew Muscat who burst through the strong defensive line to score under the sticks (14-10). Bowden converted (16-10).
A penalty to Eccles for a Crosfields infringement on the stroke of half time saw Bowden increase the Roosters half-time lead to 18-10.
If Eccles imagined that the visitors had nothing to play for they were mistaken, and four minutes into the second period, Crosfields crossed again for another Dave Pennington try. (18-14).
Eccles dominated from then on though and played some superb rugby that thrilled the crowd. On 49 minutes Anthony Murray made an impressive break through the defence, passed to Steve Barry who promptly slipped a short pass to wingman Martin Judge to cross out wide. A touchline conversion by Bowden put Eccles in front by a more comfortable 24 pts to 14.
Despite intense pressure from Crosfields, Eccles’ magnificent defence kept them from adding to their score. On 62 minutes, quick work around the scrum saw Steve Barry snatch the ball and dive over the line to increase the Eccles lead to 28-14. Minutes later, on-form Anthony Murray broke the Crosfields’ line to give a perfectly timed pass to Mark Thomas. Thomas put Steve Barry through a gap for him to score his second try, which Bowden again converted. (34-14).
10 minutes from time Mark Thomas, who had worked tirelessly throughout, put Steve Barry through a break in the line. Martin Judge was on hand to dive over the line for his second try. A great touchline conversion from Scott Bowden finished the scoring at 40pts to 14.
In a game that was entertaining from start to finish, both teams deserved great credit for playing in a good spirited and highly disciplined manner.
Promotion has now come to the Roosters – but a win on Saturday next (20th) at East Leeds would secure the Championship.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 40 - CROSFIELDS 14
Saturday 13th February 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 20 - EASTMOOR 12
Eccles took another giant step towards securing promotion from the 2nd division with a good win over Eastmoor. It wasn’t all one way traffic though, and Eastmoor were far better than their lowly table position dictates.
It wasn’t until the 20th minute that Chris Smith crossed for a great try that Scott Bowden goaled. Just after the half hour Marc Jones crossed and although the conversion failed Eccles felt reasonably comfortable going into the break at 10-0.
10 minutes into the second half saw Eastmoor’s Jamie Dodds cross for a try that Leigh Joyce goaled (10-6), and just after the hour the visitors took the lead for the first time with a dubious try from Leigh Joyce, which he also goaled. Eccles had to dig deep – and this they did when Anthony Murray crossed for a very welcome try. Mike Davies failed to convert and the score was fixed at 14-12 – a little too close for comfort – until the dying seconds of the game.
Scott Bowden kicked through a great ball that the Eastmoor winger misjudged. Martin Judge collected the ball, cleared the defensive line and passed to Mark Thomas – who raced over the line to score. Mike Davies converted for Eccles to record another win (20-12) that takes them closer to promotion.
Man of the Match went to Anthony Murray.
Team: Bradley Lonsdale, Michael O’Boyle, Andrew Muscat, Matt Wild, Martin Judge, Paul Morgan, Scott Bowden, Glynn Watson, Anthony Murray, Mark Thomas, Chris Smith, Marc Jones, Steve Barry, Marc Gilligan, Rick Openshaw, Mike Davies, Robbie Spencer.
Saturday 6th March 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 30 - STANLEY RANGERS 16
Eccles took a giant step towards securing promotion from the 2nd division with a tremendous victory over third-placed Stanley Rangers.
It wasn’t all one way traffic though, and second rower Damien Thomas and stand-off Dave Grice led a determined Stanley effort.
Scott Bowden put the first points on the board with a try in the 15th minute. This sent Eccles on their way before a great try from prop Glynn Watson five minutes later, goaled by Mike Davies, put the scoreline at 10 – 0. Centre Andrew Muscat raced in for a brace of tries on the 34th and 36th minute, both unconverted, before the visitors’ Matty Firth crossed in the dying minutes of the first half to bring the score to 18 – 4.
Just after the hour, Stanley’s Dave Foster crossed for Danny Grice to convert (18-10), and the game was in the balance! Rangers came close to narrowing the gap still further when Marc Foster broke clear and Eccles’ Paul Morgan had to pull off a try-saving tackle. That proved a key moment and Eccles rallied, Morgan charging in at the other end, with Bowden gaoling – and Eccles had regained our composure.
Ricky Openshaw added a late well deserved try which Bowden improved to seal the game for Eccles. Stanley hadn’t finished though, and Dave Foster bagged a try for Grice to convert to leave the scoreline at 30 points to 16.
A well deserved win for Eccles, with prop Mark Thomas gaining the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.
Saturday 27th February 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 26 - SHAW CROSS 14
A fixture that was in doubt until the morning of the game saw us playing on an alternative pitch which undoubtedly suited the home side more than us. In very heavy conditions the home side took the lead after 9 minutes with a converted try. Eccles hit back 10 minutes later after good work from Murray put Mark Jones in for a try that Mike Davies converted (6-6). On the half hour, Mark Thomas created the opening to slip the ball to Mark Jones for his second try, again converted by Davies. Half time scoreline stood at 6-12. A Sharks penalty early in the second half increased the score to 12-8 – but on the quarter hour, Ben Williamson’s great break set up Martin Judge to score an unconverted try (8-16). Just 5 minutes later Mike O’Boyle took his opportunities and scored out wide, and with Paul Morgan’s conversion Eccles’ lead increased to a healthier 8-22. On the half hour Steve Fernley’s perfect pass to Ben Williamson put him in the corner (8-26). Shaw Cross hit back in the dying minutes with a converted try to give a 14-26 scoreline.
Man of the Match : Anthony Murray
This victory kept Eccles firmly at the top of the table and looking even more likely for promotion.
Saturday 20th February 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 32 - WATERHEAD 0
Eccles put the heavy defeat shock defeat of last week against Egremont, to bounce back quickly to maintain their top of the table position. The Eccles defence was impenetrable, with fullback Brad Lonsdale leading the way in denying a visiting side that offered strong displays from prop Phil Joy, loose forward Terry Fitzgerald and stand-off Aaron Brown.
Eccles hit the front with a Paul Morgan try in the 15th minute. Andrew Muscat goaled before claiming a try of his own some 10 minutes later and adding the extras. Waterhead had a Darren Nixon effort disallowed, but on the stroke of half-time, Morgan was in again to give Eccles a 16-0 interval lead.
Muscat was going strong for Eccles and he put winger Martin Judge in for the fourth home try that Mike Davies goaled to end Waterhead’s remote come back hopes. Mike O’Boyle and Ben Williamson kept the scoreboard ticking along with further tries, and a second Davies goal ensured that Eccles had their confidence restored after the previous week’s debacle.
An all round top performance, with the Man of the Match going to Brad Lonsdale.
Team: Bradley Lonsdale, Mike O’Boyle (T), Andrew Muscat (T, 2G),Ben Williamson (T), Martin Judge (T), Paul Morgan (2T), Anthony Murray, Glynn Watson, Steve Barry, Mark Thomas, Chris Smith, Marc Jones, Richard Openshaw, Robbie Spencer, Mike Davies (2G),
Payden Candland, Steve Fernley.
Saturday 13th February 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - EGREMONT 70 - ECCLES 0
THIS result away at Egremont came as a shock to us all and it certainly wasn’t the result that we expected. It was only our second game in 10 weeks – and it was apparent for all to see that we weren’t up to scratch on the day. Couple that with the fact that the team had no less than eight changes since our league game on 12th December, and it might help us to understand what contributed to our downfall! We have nothing to bring from that game, and we can only put it in the past and get over it. Hopefully we will get back to something resembling normal for this season. Let’s hope so. No-one likes a defeat like that, and I know that all the players involved in that game will put that defeat to the back of their minds and look forward to our promotion aspirations.
Saturday 23rd January 2010
RUGBY LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP - Eccles 14 - Leigh East 42
Eccles put in a creditable performance against the National Conference League Premier Division leaders. In our first game in six weeks, it was difficult to get back into the playing habit. Leigh East had played the week before this fixture in the preliminary round of the same competition, and – apart from the obvious talent they had available – their sharper performance gave them the edge.
The first half was one way traffic, and East’s’ Gary Middlehurst, Andrew Groves, Ryan Peters, Carl Redford and Danny Kilshaw all crossed for deserved tries. Kilshaw converted three, for a 26-0 half time lead. Come the second half, Eccles picked up their game – despite Mark Ballard’s try and Kilshaw’s conversion upping the visitor’s scoreline yet again in the first 3 minutes of the second period. Eccles’ Chris Smith crossed for a well deserved try that Paul Morgan converted, followed by an Andrew Muscat try converted by Mike Davies. In between these tries, Easts increased their lead with tries from Stephen Grundy and Carl Redford, with one more conversion for Kilshaw. A 42 pts to 14 victory for Leigh East put them in the next round of the Challenge Cup against Rochdale Mayfield.
12th December 2009
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - LOCK LANE 14 - ECCLES 14
Roosters keep their top of the table position
After a week without a fixture, Eccles travelled over the Pennines to fourth placed Castleford Lock Lane.
On a heavy pitch, Lock Lane took the lead just five minutes in with a dubious try by Jamie Cryer that the out-of-position referee awarded. It was too far out for a conversion (4-0). On 20 minutes Eccles’ full back Ben Williamson took his opportunity to score a great unconverted try to level the scores. (4-4)
8 minutes later Lock Lane put in a high kick, but with Eccles’ facing the bright afternoon sun, winger Martin Judge failed to collect. Lock Lanes’ Paul Couch did collect though, and crossed over the line to increase their lead (8-4).
Eccles were unlucky to have a seemingly good try disallowed – and the half time score remained at 8-4.
The home team increased their lead to 14-4 with a converted try on 55 minutes by Andy Matthews, and 10 minutes later Eccles’ stand-off Steve Barry worked hard to burst through the tough defence to score a try that John McAtee converted (14-10). A further disallowed try for Eccles was disappointing – but on 75 minutes a well deserved try by Chris Pereira – on his 1st team debut – levelled the scores at 14-14. Unfortunately the goal kick was too difficult for John McAtee to convert and Eccles had to settle for a point. That point did keep them at the top of the table – just 2 points ahead of Oldham St. Annes who have a game in hand.
In this tough encounter the forwards were outstanding – and once again Marc Gilligan deservedly took the Man of the Match award.
Eccles’ Team:
Ben Williamson (1T), Chris Pereira (1T), Micahel O'Boyle, Andrew Muscat, Martin Judge, Steve Barry (1T), John McAtee (1G), , Mark Thomas, Anthony Murray, Marc Gilligan (MoM), Chris Smith, Marc Jones, Mike Davies, Robbie Spencer, Neil cPherson, Glynn Watson, Rick Openshaw
Saturday 28th November 2009
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 22 - OLDHAM ST. ANNES 18
Eccles consolidated their top of the table position with a fine win over 2nd placed Oldham St. Annes. The game was a thriller from start to finish - but it was Eccles who had the advantage after the first 15 minutes with two John McAtee penalty goals.
It was just before the half hour that St. Annes' stand-off Keil Lancashire scored a well-earned try that he converted (4-6). Just 4 minutes later Eccles' second rower Chris Smith scored a good try out wide, and with John McAtee's conversion, Eccles took the lead once more (10-6).
The score remained 10-6 when the whistle blew for the break.
10 minutes into the second half, a John McAtee penalty kick widened the gap to 12-6, but 5 minutes later the visitors hit back with a Lee Forsyth try, again converted by Keil Lancashire, to level the score at 12-12. On the 65th minute Eccles' winger Mike O'Boyle supported well and took his opportunity of crossing in the corner. The conversion was too far out wide though for McAtee to convert (16-12).
The best try of the game came on 74 minutes from opposite winger Martin Judge - who beat the frantic defence to score in the corner. Substitute Mike Davies' impressive touchline conversion brought the score to 22-12.
Eccles thought the game was pretty much tied up - but St. Annes refused to give in. A try by their centre Chris Carter just 2 minutes from time - converted from the touchline by Keil Lancashire - set the spectators hearts jumping (22-18). But despite some desperate attempts in the dying seconds, St. Annes couldn't penetrate the doggedly determined Eccles' defence, and the final score was 22-18.
A massive team display by the Roosters, with prop Marc Gilligan deservedly taking the Man of the Match award. Eccles now sit two points clear at the top of the National Conference League Division 2.
Team:
Andrew Muscat, Micahel O'Boyle (1T), Matt Wild, Ben Williamson, Martin Judge (1T), Steve Barry, John McAtee (4G), Glynn Watson, Anthony Murray, Marc Gilligan (MoM), Marc Jones, Chris Smith (1T), Rick Openshaw, Mike Davies (1G), Payden Candland, Mark Thomas, Rob Spencer
Saturday 21st November 2009
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ECCLES 18 - OVENDEN 4
Eccles stayed top of the table with a hard fought victory over bottom club Ovenden. Eccles were always going to win the game as the visitors rarely threatened the Eccles defence, but the rearguard action of the Halifax side was also better than their lowly position would suggest and they frustrated Eccles time and again.
Eccles had their best period in the first quarter and it seemed it would only be a matter of time before the points would start to pile up, yet amazingly, all they had to show for the effort of the first 20 minutes was a second minute John McAtee penalty (2-0). The first try came on 22 minutes though with Andrew Muscat dummying his way through the defence for a try that McAtee converted (8-0).
McAtee made a break 7 minutes from half time and found Glynn Watson in support, and the forward powered his way over the line for a try, although too far out for McAtee to convert. That gave Eccles a 12-0 advantage, but the second half saw Eccles fail to add to the score until 63 minutes, after a series of wrong options and dropped passes. It took a fine individual effort from Scott Bowden to finally make the game safe as he shot through a gap to score wide out. Bowden took the kick himself and converted brilliantly in terrible conditions (18-0).
Ovenden finally got on the scoreboard 3 minutes from time when Eccles fell foul of the referee and a series of penalties put Ovenden on the attack resulting in a unconverted try from Wes McGibbon (18-4).
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