Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 12 Vs BAe Warton 11

As Carnforth took a break from league rugby, they stayed determined to hold their unbeaten run of games. As the massing crowds filled the stands, they were treated to a special event with local rugby hero Action Jackson who was putting the team through their rigorous pre-match training.

Straight from the kick off Edmondson’s dedicated squad were ready & eager to continue their match dominance, with Hodgson making a storming run to tackle the catcher. Carnforth continued to put the pressure on Warton with deep penetrating runs by Newton, Alibiston & Evans. A high tackle on Newton saw Carnforth in prime position in front of the posts, with an opportunity to start the scoring off, unfortunately the kick drifted wide of the left post. Warton retaliated quickly and found themselves on Carnforth’s 5m line, where they were held for over 10 minutes, eventually the deadlock was broken when over exuberant play by Carnforth saw a number of penalties given away, all were repulsed by the strong Carnforth line, until Warton eventually opted for the kick, thus putting themselves ahead, the game continued in a similar vein for another 15 minutes when again some passionate play by Carnforth saw Warton given a penalty in front of the posts, again cleanly kicked.

Captain Edmondson rallied his troops and instilled his calls for discipline to them. This spurred Carnforth into gear and some great runs by Roberts, Edmondson & Porter saw Carnforth gain a penalty in front of Warton’s posts, which again fell wide of the target.

Several changes to the team at half-time saw, Walker, Short & debutant Sanders, coming on for Harwood, Knaggs, & Newton. Early in the second half a late tackle on Roberts saw an altercation between players which saw Walker yellow carded and sin-bined, in a separate incident a Warton player had to be taken of with a cut to the back of his head. Carnforth continued with good runs from Sanders & Holden. Carnforth then instigated a substitution with the solid pack now being backed up by Chippendale, who replaced Albiston. Further passionate play from Carnforth saw Warton with a penalty in Carnforth’s 22 which was run over for a try. At this point 11-0 down the outcome seemed dire for Carnforth, but the sheer determination and pride of playing in the green and black gave Carnforth the resolve to come back rather than drop their heads. Stephenson was the next Carnforth player to join the match, replacing the injured Sanders.

The next kick saw crunching tackles from both Edmondson & Stephenson which gave Carnforth possession, some excellent breaks from `crash bang` Short saw Carnforth through Warton’s back line, and on their 5m line, a quick pickup from the back saw Walker make a dash for the line as Warton tried to hold him up support was there in the form of Stephenson who drove walker over for Carnforth’s 1st try which was clinically kicked by Porter.

Another moment of madness saw Carnforth down to 14 men again as Collins headed for the sin-bin, but this did not dampen the Carnforth sprit, as the crowd got behind Carnforth in the dying minutes. Edmondson knew it would have to be something spectacular in these final moments to hold onto Carnforth’s unbeaten home record, and his team didn’t fail to disappoint him, a great drive by Evans saw Robinson pick up, pass inside to Chippendale then loop to take it from him again, then shipped out to Mark “Bruno” Barrett, quickly passed to Holden who missed both his centres out with an outstanding pass to Roberts on the wing, who broke 2 tackles and placed the ball down under the posts for his first club try for Carnforth. The final whistle was blown and Carnforth took a well-earned victory 12-11.

Carnforth return to league commitments next week and entertain Sedgley Park at Kellet Road.