Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 0 Vs 5 Rossendale 3rds

The north stand was unveiled this week by local rugby legends the two Peters - Harrison & Sowerby much to the delight of the waiting crowds.

Carnforth set off, determined to give the massing crowds exactly what they wanted, and continue their unbeaten run of games. The supporters young and old filled the newly opened North Stand and were heard to comment on its uniquely open plan arrangement which allowed the crowd an unhindered view of the match at all times.

Right away the back three of Whittham, Edmondson & Holden each made their mark with pinpoint accuracy from Whittham’s kicking and the now legendary Edmondson charging hand off. One of these kicks from Whittham saw Carnforth go from being pinned down in their own 5-metre line to contesting a line out near Rossendale’s 5-metre line. Unfortunately Carnforth lost the lineout, but Walker never taking his eye off the ball, used his head and charged down the kick.

A wet surface saw both wingers Evans & Bennett put under a lot of pressure from the Rossendale up & under kicks, but linking up with fullback Porter saw the Carnforth defence seemingly impenetrable. A later lapse of concentration in the Carnforth side saw Rossendale with a penalty on Carnforth’s 22, which they luckily sliced wide of the posts.

Edmondson initially left his side unchanged at half time. A Rossendale kick off was perfectly caught and set by the waiting Moorfoot and coupled with the sheer power of Sanders & Albiston, Carnforth pushed forward deep into Rossendale’s half. A change of wingers saw Roberts and “Ice-man” Nicholas replacing Bennett and Vice Captain Simon Evans.

Impact player Nicholas immediately made his presence felt as he blasted through the Rossendale backs like a hot knife through butter. Carnforth found themselves close to Rossendale’s tri-line but for a second week in a row the opposition decided that Walker’s head was the best place to practice tap dancing, this saw “pint-size” Barrett diving straight in and taking out the man before he could do too much damage.

Carnforth seemed to be going from scrum to scrum for most of the second half as the game turned into a battle of the forwards, with Hodgson, Collins, Moorfoot, Sanders and Knaggs proving a formidable front five force to be reckoned with. Carnforth were constantly on the lookout for the one score that would secure a win in this close game, unfortunately it wasn’t to be Carnforth who scored it with Rossendale sneaking through to score in the corner, but again sending their kick well-wide of the posts. Stephenson replaced “no cards this week” Knaggs.

Carnforth fought back valiantly with excellent lineout ball being taken by Walker. All the hard work seemed to be paying off when Carnforth were awarded a penalty 10 metres out, and knowing 3 points wouldn’t be enough Sanders picked up for a quick penalty and was pinned down just short of the line. This was followed by a scrum, which Carnforth drove close once more. Another pack shuffle saw Chippendale replace the injured Collins. Chippendale looked sure to score the fastest try of his life, when breaking through the Rossendale line out saw him virtually uncontested and certain to bring Carnforth back on track, but he was driven to ground just short. The referee blew up leaving Carnforth despondent with the result and their unbroken run cruelly shattered.

Carnforth will play old rivals Kirkby Lonsdale with extra fervour, determined to put right the score from the two teams last encounter.