Carnforth RUFC

2nd XV Match Reports

Carnforth 2nds 36 Vs 5 Sedgley Park 4ths

Carnforth started this years league assault with a home fixture against Sedgley Park, with the first team also at home in the Kellet Road stadium the 2nds played the fixture at the Canal Side training facilities.

A huge crowd turned up to watch the 2nds get to work and were glad of the recent addition of a roofed enclosure to keep the driving rain off them.

From the kick off Sedgley Parks kicker looked weak as he struggled to make the half way line with his kick and the catcher was promptly driven out by Carnforth’s winger M.Etherington. This saw a scrum down which Carnforth won but fumbled on the breakaway. A dropped Sedgley Park penalty saw Simon “Back from retirement” Evans steal and make good ground past the gain line, but a vicious tackle saw K.Holden lined up for a penalty kick on the half way line sail beautifully through the posts to put Carnforth in the lead.

Hard defending saw Sedgley Park stuck in the middle of the pitch, never gaining the edge they needed, A break away by Carnforth saw them rewarded with a 5m scrum, John “Lionheart” Edmondson dived over the line but failed to ground the ball but a pop up to M.Webster saw the try, which was converted by K.Holden.

An interception in Carnforth’s 22 by B.Albiston saw him scream through like a rocket to Sedgley Park’s 22, but without the support Sedgley Park fought him back, but Carnforth gained the penalty on the halfway line, which was attempted by D.Waterhouse but sailed wide of the mark. A try by K.Holden just before half time & a conversion saw Carnforth finish the half 17-0

The only substitution of the half was an injured M.Webster replaced by the returning S.Whittham. Carnforth started the halfed pinned down in their own 22 and under the constant pressure Sedgley park slipped through to score in the corner, but couldn’t convert the try. S.Evans was replaced by a debutant D.Winning. Carnforth quickly retaliated with a superb throw in by debutant hooker M.Williams to C.Walker, driven hard into the pack out by M.Barratt to K.Holden, S.Whittam & J.Edmondson over for the try.

On the return a nasty spear tackle on K.Holden saw him lucky to stand unhurt (the man must be made of steel!), but revenge was sweet as Carnforth’s Winger M.Etherington slammed their man into the floor with his trademark tackle!

The strong winds hampered Carnforth’s run’s but a penalty against Sedgley Park for crossing saw Carnforth back in Sedgley Park’s 22. A Whittam-Holden-Edmonson-Whittam-Edmondson move saw Carnforth within sniffing distance of the try-line and a quick release by M.Barratt along the back line saw B.Albistion go over for his try, deftly converted by K.Holden.

M.Etherington was replaced by A.Nother and Carnforth restarted, from the restart K.Holden collected the ball and showed the Sedgley Park centres why he’s known locally as the Samba King, but the follow up Holden-Edmondson-Holden-Edmondson combo was held up just short of the line. L.Metcalfe was brought on for J.Lentil. A fast pass from the back of the scrum catches K.Holden straight in his eye leaving him dazed for a second or two. Some heaving battling in Sedgley park’s 22 saw Hooker M.Williams dive over for his 1st try for the club and closed this match of at 36-5 to Carnforth.

Carnforth 2nds travel away to Colne & Nelson next week.
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Players: D.Waterhouse, M.Etherington, J.Edmondson, M.Webster, J.Lentil, K.Holden, M.Barratt, S.Gaskin, M.Williams, TJ, Sanders, E.Knaggs, P.Aldridge, S.Evans, C.Walker, B.Albiston.

Subs: D.Winning, LMetcalfe, S.Whittham, A.Nother