Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Oldham 3rds 27 Vs Carnforth 2nds 22

Carnforth 2nd XV’s 1st ever league game & the start of the clubs 25th season, saw the 2nds travelling down to Oldham. Carnforth were eager to make a good start to the league and spent the 1st quarter in Oldham’s half, the constant pressure from the pack caused Oldham to give away a penalty on the 22, which Keith Porter slotted over and put Carnforth on the board. Carnforth continued as the dominate side, and a 5m scrum saw the ball come out and land over the try line, a quick thinking Michael Walker touched it down for a try, which Keith Porter Converted. The later stages of the half saw Carnforth on their own 5m line but drove Oldham pack back, after Oldham replaced their injured prop, Carnforth packed down again but were pushed back and Oldham went over for their 1st try. This was quickly followed by another 2 from their fullback.

Half time saw a reshuffle in the Carnforth Pack, with John Chippendale coming in a No. 8, this saw Dan Liddy move to his preferred flanker position & Simon Evans on the wing, replacing Michael Harwood. Oldham secured another try from a penalty as Carnforth were attending to their injured man. Carnforth retaliated with good runs through the backs as Keith Porter, John Edmondson & Graham Morgan took Carnforth back into Oldham’s 22, Scrum Half Brian Albiston drove the ball close to Oldham’s try line but was brought down, Pete Sowerby shipped the ball out to John Edmondson, who went over for a try, which was converted. Oldham replied with a try & conversion of their own. A defiant Carnforth squad continued to fight back for the rest of the half, which saw good runs by Neil Wetherill, Brian Albiston & Peter Sowerby. Eventually a linkup between Mark Etherington & John Edmondson saw Carnforth secure another try. With only one score between the teams now, Carnforth pushed on and spent all of the remaining time close to Oldhams 5m line, but time ran out for Carnforth and the final score was Oldham 27 – Carnforth 22. A return fixture is scheduled for later this year.