Didsbury Toc H 42 – 10 Millom

Following on from their Bank Holiday Lancashire Plate victory, Didsbury named a strong squad to face the runners up from the Cumbria league. Toc H were buoyed by the news that Neil Wilkinson was fit enough to make the bench, meaning Euan Wilder started his final game for the club at stand-off, before the Scot moves away in the summer. The pack was the recognizable line up, with the inclusion of Andre Swan after his return from rugby in Australia.

Didsbury were slow out of the blocks, perhaps the rigors of the previous Monday had taken effect, numerous dropped balls and needless penalties gave Millom an early foothold on the match. The big Cumbria outfit made the most of the host’s generosity scoring an early penalty, and then saw their prop crash over for a converted try. At 10 points adrift so early in the game it was going to be a big test of Didsbury’s character to get back into the game. But as this season’s squad has demonstrated so many times, they do not lack spirit and determination. From an attacking lineout Didsbury immediately struck back, with second row Phil Cooper crawling over the line. Wilder added the conversion. Didsbury were starting to impose themselves on the game, and clearly had the beating of Millom out wide. Fullback Sean Bishop collected a clearance kick around the halfway line and set off on a mesmeric run to score, perhaps the try of the season, under the posts. Again Wilder added the extras to give his side a deserved, but narrow half time lead of 14-10.

The Didsbury half time talk called for one final push to end the season on a high, and the players duly took note. Millom were no longer the force they were in the opening exchanges, and Didsbury professional took their scoring chances nearly everytime they visited the attacking areas. Sean Bishop neatly converted an early penalty with his left foot. Dave Hoare scored a trademark try, gliding through the defence to go under the sticks, Wilder again converted and soon added two more penalties to make his personal tally 12 points. Hoare scored his 32nd try of the season after numerous good runs by number 8, and man of the match, Andy Lynn. Didsbury completed the rout with their sixth try, scored by Tom Rooney who capped a very fine season for the first team.

Didsbury’s efforts this season have been phenomenal, the Lancashire Plate sitting proudly in the trophy cabinet and promotion secured to see the side return to the North/Lancs & Cumbria league. In all competitions Toc H have amassed 1250 points, conceding only 265. This is an average of 42 points scored and only 8 conceded per game. Scoring 196 tries in the process.
Next season will be a stern test for the Ford Lane club, with a lot more travelling and tougher opposition, but the squad that competed this season will be more than a match for the majority of the fixtures next season.

See http://www.photoboxgallery.com/mikefryer/ for some pictures taken by Mike Fryer