Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 18 Vs Thornton Cleveleys 2nds 17

Carnforth made the relatively short trip down the coast to Thornton Cleveleys in search of their first victory away from Kellet Road in the North West Intermediate League. John Edmondson’s side, buoyant following victories in their previous two league outings, took to the field with wholesale changes needed due to injuries and unavailability’s to key personal.

Thornton, playing this season at the local Leisure Centre, provided a less than leisurely approach to the opening exchanges. With a strong blustering wind it was evident that the game would be won and lost up front and strong performances were required from Hodgson, Collins and Saunders. They didn’t disappoint with the trio providing a solid foundation to attack the Thornton scrums. With Barratt controlling the pack like a ringmaster, strong runs from the ever-present second row duo of Joel and Sowerby took Carnforth deep into oppositions half. Due to unavailability to key members of the back division, Jackson was able to release the newly formed midfield partnership of Albiston and Edmondson to wreak havoc on the Thornton defence.

It was following a slight break, in an evenly contested game to swap handbags, which lead to young gun Liddy crossing the whitewash from the following short range penalty conceded close to the Thornton line for an unconverted try.

With the blustery conditions making it difficult for any substantial touch to be found both sides utilised their strong runners to their full potential. Debutant Roberts and Etherington made good use of the expansive pitch and asked numerous questions of their opposite numbers.

It took a lapse in concentration, poor tackling and a mazy run form the Thornton centre to break the Carnforth defence midway through the half with an unconverted try to bring the scores level.

This stung the Carnforth forwards into action and in a 15 minute spell saw the visitor’s camp themselves in the Thornton last quarter of the pitch. It was following an unfortunate injury to the ever-present fullback Evans that brought another debutant Nicholas onto the field. With Walker and Alker adding their own brand of rugby to the forwards game Nicholas fed Jackson to pop over a neatly taken drop goal to ensure that the pressure exerted in the Thornton last quarter went without points.

More of the same was the request by skipper Edmondson after the break and the Carnforth players, playing with an upbeat confidence, did not disappoint. Pressure was yet again applied by the forwards and with the ever reliable Chippendale replacing the injured Alker, progress was made up field. The struggling conditions played a major factor after 5 minutes of the second half when the Thornton defence could only manage to clear the ball on the five-metre line. A strong part of the Carnforth game at present is the ability to disrupt the opposition’s play at lineouts. With a fumble coming from the pursuing lineout Collins pounced on the ball to record his third try in as many games.

With Thornton reduced to 14 men following the influential centre exchanging differing views with the referee, Carnforth pressed home the advantage with some scathing runs up field from the Carnforth backs. Walker collected the ball from a close quarter ruck and danced over the line to take the visitors into a commanding lead.

When composure was required a moment of madness from Jackson allowed the Thornton defence to latch onto a reverse pass carried out in his own 22 to score under the post to give the home side a converted try and a glimmer of hope.

In the dying seconds of the game the Thornton winger burst through the defence only for the lion heart Edmondson to give chase. Knowing he was unlikely to prevent the try being score the skipper’s intention was to make the following kick as difficult as possible. With the ball being touched down in the corner the conversion attempt was unsuccessful and Carnforth recorded there first away win in the league by the slenderest of margins.