HISTORY IS MADE AT TOC H

Didsbury Toc H Ladies 0-38 Eccles Ladies 2nd XV
There have been many memorable moments in Toc H rugby history. The game Phil Cooper didn't get a yellow card, the time a Mike Hyde line out throw went straight or the time Enita felt he didn't have the best of games......but Saturday 25th April will now enter the annals of history as for the first time ever a Didsbury Toc H ladies team graced the playing fields of Ford Lane. Their opponents were from Eccles, a club with a well established ladies set up and a 1st XV who play in Women's Championship North 1.
The sizeable crowd were treated to a committed display by both sides in some horrendous weather and both teams can take great credit. Eccles started strongly with their bigger forwards and hard running backs taking play deep into the Toc H half. However strong defence particularly from Eloisa De Vera at full back made life very difficult for the visitors. The pressure eventually told and the excellent Eccles number 15 outpaced the cover for a try which was converted. Eccles continued to press for the remainder of the first twenty minutes and were rewarded with three further converted tries in spite of some resolute defence and some great work at the breakdown from Lauren Muddiman.
...The second third of the game bought with it rain, hail and thoroughly miserable conditions. Toc H were growing in confidence and began to put together some excellent phases with Hannah Watson at fly half and Miguela Kerins at inside centre combining nicely and the forwards putting in some great work around the pitch. Eccles managed to run in two more tries but the momentum had changed and Toc were competing well in all aspects of the game. The final third of the game proved this point and was scoreless in spite of both sides going close. Toc can take great credit from a determined performance which offers plenty of scope to build on. The forwards scrummaged very well against a heavier pack, the defensive effort grew in skill and confidence and as the team continue to train together and get to know one another things can only improve.

Report by Ian Howells