Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 29 Vs 11 Sedgley Park 4ths

There will be no more talk of 1966 from English sport fans, as the year imprinted on the mindset of this nation will be 2003. Shortly after England had dispatched the gold shirts of Australia, Carnforth intended to do the same to the gold shirts of Sedgley Park. Captain Edmondson led his high-spirited pack out in front of the maximum capacity crowds, filled with the local “Barmy Army” who were hoping Carnforth could continue their unbeaten run through the league.

Unfortunately most of the Carnforth squad appeared to have left their heads at home watching the re-run of the England v Australia match, giving away 6 penalties in the first 5 minutes of the game, the last one Sedgley Park slotted over for the first points of the game. A few moments later some over exuberance from a referee determined to stamp his authority saw Knaggs yellow carded for being offside. Again a lack of discipline from the Carnforth squad saw another two penalties given away on their own 5-metre line, but some great forward play by Moorfoot, Hodgson & Sanders saw Carnforth making ground through the pitch and a mistake by the Sedgley Park squad saw Carnforth with a penalty 35 yards out, which Porter cleanly kicked to level the scores. Some great pressure by Walker & Hodgson from the kick off saw Sedgley Park rushed into running the ball rather than kicking, Carnforth held them well until the referee issued another penalty against Carnforth on their own 22-line, which Sedgley Park opted to kick, but went well wide of the posts. Carnforth returned the ball with interest with strong drives from Greenland and the now legendary handoffs from “Powerhouse” Edmondson, gaining Carnforth a scrum 10-metres out. Carnforth were then awarded a penalty, which was run in by Moorfoot. The conversion was then expertly kicked by Porter, to put Carnforth ahead 10-3.

From the kick off Sedgley Park gained a scrum on Carnforth’s 5-metre line, in which “Feet of Flames” Collins took against the head, as the ball reached the No.8’s feet Sedgley Park wheeled the scrum, but Barrett shipped the ball out to Holden who cleared touch at the half way marker. Greenland’s long reach saw him take the ball in the line-out, Stephenson drove through the forwards and passed to Walker who knocked on the ball in the tackle. The following scrum to Sedgley Park saw them kick to touch. A long ball from Collins to Stephenson saw Carnforth close to another try, but he was unfortunately run out on the 5-metre line.

Half time saw Knaggs replaced by debutant Tim Capernwray. The kick off saw Carnforth gain a penalty on Sedgley Park’s 22, but this time Carnforth failed to turn it into points. A free-kick given to Sedgley Park was quickly turned into a penalty when various Carnforth players disagreed with the decision, and not learning from that, the referee gave another 10 yards to Sedgley Park placing them directly under the posts only 20 yards out, which they chipped over for 3 points. Carnforth still smarting from this lapse in concentration could only watch as Sedgley Park ran a try in straight from the kick off. Edmondson took this opportunity to make some changes to the team, bringing on Chippendale for Stephenson and debutant Nicholas for Etherington. An over eager Collin’s received a yellow card for retaliation to a bad tackle and this again saw Carnforth reduced to 14 men. This also gave Sedgley Park another penalty only 20 yards out, fortunately missed by their kicker. Edmondson impressed the importance of a cool head and discipline to his team as they returned for the kick off. As his words were still singing in their ears a determined Carnforth side battled their way up the field. Driving runs from Albiston and Newton saw Michael Walker fly over for a try, which was again converted by “Golden Boots” Porter. Carnforth again spurred on by this resurgence were quickly up on Sedgley Park’s 5-metre line, where a text-book penalty manoeuvre between Barrett and Moorfoot saw Moorfoot stopped just short of the line but it was then picked up by Barrett who broke through the surprised Sedgley Park backs for his try.

The seemingly unstoppable Carnforth squad were again impressing the crowds, when Tim Capernwray took the ball in his own 22 and ran through tackles making it all the way to Sedgley Parks 22, where he off loaded the ball to Edmondson who was driven out just short on the 5-metre line. A scrum saw Barrett ship the ball out to winger Nicholas who was pinned down just short of the line. His chance came round again seconds later with a pass from Barrett to Holden to Edmondson, which saw Nicholas go over for his try. Porter again kicked the conversion. At the final whistle of the Carnforth match the score was 29-11, allowing them to continue the mornings celebrations long into the night.

Carnforth leave the confines of the Kellet Road stadium next week to see if the can repeate their success away at Burnley.