06/11/11 Didsbury Junior Colts vs. Oldershaw Junior Colts.
For Didsbury’s latest excursion they travelled to Wallasey. (Otherwise known as Posh Scouser Land!) It was a good day for a match, sunny, a cloudless blue sky and not much wind.
Oldershaw kicked off and the ball was taken by Davenport-Jenkins but in the resulting maul Oldershaw managed to get the ball and spun it out to their backs who attacked Didsbury’s defence. Oldershaw signalled their intent early with attacking runs.
Didsbury were awarded a scrum, which they won, and Merrick combined with Grogan before the ball was passed to Ballantine on the wing. He was tackled but Oldershaw were offside and from the resulting penalty Grogan found touch on the Oldershaw 22. Didsbury attacked with Molloy and Andrews driving forward before linking with Bolton and Taylor who took the ball to within 10m of the Oldershaw line. Shearer, Mullen and Molly drove to within 1m of the Oldershaw line. However, strong defence by Oldershaw kept Didsbury out. Oldershaw eventually won the ball and cleared their line.
Didsbury attacked again but gave away a penalty and Oldershaw spun it out to their backs who advanced up to the Didsbury 10m line. From a lineout, Didsbury won the ball and a forward drive led by Andrews saw them drive up to the Oldershaw 22.
The ball went out to Grogan who chipped ahead and there was a good follow-up by Ballantine.
Didsbury continued to press and won a lineout on the Oldershaw 22. Andrews took the ball forward before passing to Bolton. Play was a little scrappy with both Didsbury then Oldershaw losing the ball. Eventually Merrick made a break and got to within 10m of the Oldershaw line. The Didsbury forwards took the ball on and Merrick went over from close range for the game’s first score. The try was not converted. Oldershaw 0 Didsbury 5.
From the restart Didsbury attacked but a knock-on gave a scrum to Oldershaw. They won it but gave away a penalty for a high tackle. Grogan found touch and Didsbury won a scrappy lineout. Didsbury were awarded another penalty but the ball was kicked dead. From the 22 drop-out Didsbury again went on the attack. Oldershaw struggled to make ground and were pinned in their own 22. Strong runs by Perrie, Petty and Davenport-Jenkins took the ball nearer the try line but lack of support meant Didsbury could not capitalise on their possession. From a scrum Oldershaw tried to clear their lines but a great take by Ballantine put the pressure back on the home side. Merrick received the ball and passed to Taylor whose scorching run resulted in a try. It was not converted. Oldershaw 0 Didsbury 10.
Didsbury were in the ascendant and another penalty for a high tackle saw them get a lineout 10m from the Oldershaw line. From a set move, Molloy drove to within 5m of the line and from the ensuing maul Andrews forced his way over the line for Didsbury’s third try. Again it was not converted. Oldershaw 0 Didsbury 15. Half time.
The second half saw a more determined Oldershaw side take the game to Didsbury and after some poor Didsbury lineouts, they spun it out to their backs and scored. Oldershaw 5 Didsbury 15.
After the restart, Didsbury went on the attack and with Oldershaw giving away another penalty got a line out on the Oldershaw 22.
Didsbury drove the ball on but good Oldershaw defence kept them out. Didsbury kept up the pressure and another blistering run by Taylor stretched the Oldershaw defence but it held firm.
The introduction of several Oldershaw subs brought them a new impetus and they soon put the squeeze on the Didsbury defence. Oldershaw then enjoyed a sustained period of pressure but Didsbury’s defence, though desperate at times, held. Didsbury did make a few forays out of their 22 but each time they were pegged back by Oldershaw.
Didsbury suffered a setback when Taylor was sin binned for a high tackle. Their fortunes waned further a few minutes later when Merrick was sin binned for dissent. Oldershaw tried to take advantage of superior numbers but good tackling by Camilleri, Andrews, Maxwell and the ever-reliable Bolton kept Oldershaw at bay. Eventually Didsbury managed to break out of their 22 with Klue, Molloy, Bolton and Tennant combining to reach the halfway line. Oldershaw conceded a penalty, which was quickly taken by Andrews who drove up to the Oldershaw 22. The ball was taken on by Molloy and Shearer before Oldershaw gave away another penalty. Grogan slotted the ball between the posts. Oldershaw 5 Didsbury 18. Final score.
This was another good away win for Didsbury who played some excellent rugby at times. However, a lack of support to runners and ill discipline prevented them from scoring more points.
Credit to Oldershaw who never gave up, put Didsbury under a lot of pressure in the second half and were unlucky not to score.
By common consent of the travelling supporters, Oldershaw was one of the friendliest clubs we have played so far! (Bit more bacon on the butties though next time please!)