Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 35 Vs Chorley 2nds 7

It was a cold bleak wind blowing through the Kellet Road stands as John “Lionheart” Edmondson lead his squad out in search of another win on their seemingly unstoppable rise through the league. The ever-increasing spectators at Kellet Road this week saw Michael Walker drafted in as crowd control.

Carnforth set off as they meant to continue, the forwards were all over the pitch, and the back row of Evans, Stephenson & Bennet caused more than a few problems for Chorley’s half-backs. Carnforth got themselves on the score board early, with a strong drive from the 2nd row pairing of Sanders & Ewan, breaking into the heart of Chorley’s defence. This was collected from the back of the ruck by the ever present scrum half Mark “quiet as a church mouse” Barrett, quickly passed out to Whitham, Holden, Porter, Edmondson and finally to winger Newton who took a hard tackle metres from the line. This was again shipped out by Barrett to a charging Edmondson who went over for Carnforth’s first try of the afternoon which was quickly converted by Carnforth own Johnny Wilkinson, Keith Porter. Carnforth spent the remainder of the half in Chorley’s 22, good charges from Moorfoot, Rabbet & Newton saw Carnforth once again in sight of Chorley’s try-line, a tackle close to the line saw a pickup from the back of the maul by Evans who drove over for his try, once again converted by Porter.

Halftime saw no changes to the Carnforth side although a few minutes into the half Newton (still suffering from his try making run) was replaced by Harwood. An early lapse in concentration allowed Chorley to break through the Carnforth backs and get themselves onto the scoreboard, with a try and a conversion. Carnforth quickly replied with a second try by Edmondson, again converted by the on form Porter. As usual Carnforth took the majority of line-outs due to the throwing of Collins and the superb jumping of Hodgson & Evans. One of these well rehearsed manoeuvres saw Carnforth again camped on Chorley’s try-line for what seemed like an eternity to the crowd of spectators, when eventually Holden broke the stalemate and touch down for Carnforth’s fourth converted try of the day.

Another shuffle to the Carnforth pack saw Chippendale replace Rabbet. As the game drew to a close, a break away run by Edmondson saw him surely set for another try but once on the line he off loaded it (thus avoiding buying the traditional hat-trick jug of ale) to Harwood on the wing who ran it in under the posts, and with the final play of the game Porter converted his fifth of the day, giving Carnforth a healthy 35-7 lead.

Carnforth take a break from the league next week to play an old favourite friendly fixture at home to BAE Warton. (Kick off 2.30pm sharp)