Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Burnley 3rds 5 Vs 19 Carnforth 2nds

Away from the luxurious confines of the Kellet Road stadium, Carnforth intended to continue their unbeaten run through the league. As this intrepid reporter stood atop the bleak moor-side pitch whilst the band in the marquee played Rock DJ he saw the determined faces of the Carnforth squad make the long trek from the changing rooms to pitch side. Where they where met by an unusually fortified Burnley squad.

Straight from the off Carnforth looked like scoring when a penalty on the halfway line saw Porter kick for goal, but was denied by the swirling winds. The returning 22 drop-out was charged down by Collins, scooped up and kicked to touch by Whittham. A clean take by Greenland saw the ball quickly shipped down the back line of Barrett, Holden, and Edmondson, with the ball finally resting upon a charging Michael Walker, who burst through for the first points of the game. Porter cleared the conversion easily to seal the deal.

Carnforth’s discipline was a dramatic improvement on the previous weeks encounter, but a lapse of concentration saw Burnley given a penalty in Carnforth’s 22 fortunately for Carnforth Swiss Tony’s kick never left the ground. A line out on Carnforth’s 5 metre line taken cleanly again saw Barrett Whittham and Holden link up and run the ball up to Burnley’s 5 metre line for a scrum down, but a penalty to Burnley saw a line-out on the halfway line taken by Knaggs who was brought down in the line giving Carnforth a penalty, which Holden cleared on Burnley’s 5 metre line. Another superb take by Greenland saw Carnforth’s forwards drive on, but Burnley regained possession and shipped it out to the winger, who was double tackled by Holden & Edmondson. In the final moments before the half time whistle the Burnley pack treated Walker to their rendition of Riverdance. Which saw a potentially deadly penalty reversed in Carnforth’s favour.

Shortly after half time Walker was replaced by Nicholas went out onto the wing with Newton getting a taste of forward action moving up to fill Walkers place. Burnley made quite a few subs and strengthened their squad immensely. Almost straight from the off Burnley were gifted a penalty 7 metres out in front of the posts, but once again the kick was so low it was charged down by “Tom Thumb” Barrett. It was kicked clear by Holden and was picked up by the Burnley winger Tim, who was brought down by a devastating tackle by Nicholas. Tim was a little unhappy with the energy of the tackle and showed his disgust with a swing at Nicholas, who remained calm and laughed it off. The referee seeing this gave Carnforth a penalty and a further 10 yards for dissent this placed Carnforth in prime position in Burnley half, but Burnley fought back hard and found themselves in Carnforth’s half a missed tackle saw Burnley slip through Carnforth’s back line and through to score their first points.

Straight from the restart Burnley chipped over the Carnforth heads and looked sure to take the lead. But an ever-present Etherington covered well and returned the ball with interest. Chippendale came on to replace Holden who had international commitments and had to leave early. All afternoon the great pairing of Barrett & Whittham controlled the entire game rewriting the script as they went along and the front row set of Moorfoot, Collins & Hodgson controlled the scrums with ease. Another sub saw Etherington replaced by Winstanley. A scrum on Burnley’s 5 metre line saw a pickup by Chippendale smoothly passed to Nicholas who deftly ran over for his try in the corner. The conversion seemed to hang in the air forever but it just skimmed the underside of the cross bar. When the game kicked off again, a marginally offside Knaggs was kicked by Burnley’s scrum half and the referee saw fit to sin bin them both, but award the penalty to Carnforth. A superb kick by Whittham and tackle on the catcher by “Gloved Wonder” Winstanley saw Carnforth with a line out in Burnley’s 22. Throughout the game both Newton and Albiston made the half backs game difficult with their oppressive cover and crushing tackles.

In what can only be described as world cup level rugby Whittham kicked the ball from the half way line inch perfect into Nicholas’s arms as he screamed down the wing like a transatlantic Concorde flight touching down under the posts to the delight of the crowds. The Conversion was deftly kicked by Porter to finish of them game beautifully.

As the referee blew the final whistle Carnforth went off the pitch as they came on it. With Heads held high knowing their rise through the league table continues upwards.

Carnforth once again return to the welcoming arena at Kellet Road Stadium to take on Rossendale. Following last weeks capacity crowds the decision has been taken to open the north stand a week early to allow the crowds to view the game from both sides of the pitch.