Littleborough 27 – 51 Didsbury Toc H

Didsbury had the advantage of the considerable slope in the first half and struck within minutes of the first whistle. A good attacking scrum by Didsbury lead to several phases of play before fly half Euan Wilder spotted the mismatch and raced between two forwards to score a try. Wilder missed the conversion, but Didsbury had the perfect start. The game was then held up for a serious injury to a home team player, an incident that also resulted in Dave Hoare leaving the field. Once the ambulance was clear of the field the game was able to restart, Littleborough were soon awarded a penalty which was converted. Davies cancelled out the penalty with one of his own to make the score 3-8. Didsbury then started to play the sort of rugby that has served them so well the last couple of weeks, quick ruck ball causing problems to the Littleborough defence both out wide and close to the rucks. Shaun Walker crashed over for a try after the home defence was stretched from one wing to the other, with Wilder adding the conversion. Didsbury kept the pressure on knowing they would need to capitalise on the first use of the pitches slope, and number James Eames soon added another try from a scrum set piece. Didsbury’s forth try was added by prop Steve McDonough, a loose ball at the front of the lineout was pounced on by McDonough who smashed his way over for his first try of the season. Didsbury had now built up a good lead of 3-25, and the ball started to find it’s way to the wings. Davies had the beating of his opposite number and carved up huge swathes of territory with his mazy runs, adding two long range tries before half time. Littleborough, to their credit, showed why they have been in such good recent form and stuck well to the task, sending their big runners into the Didsbury defence and they managed a try just before the break. The half time score of 10-39 looked comfortable for Didsbury, but they knew that Littleborough would not lie down and could use the elements to pin Didsbury back.

Littleborough scored the first try of the second half to close the gap to 15-39, but Didsbury replied with Davies completing his hat trick and Wilder adding the conversion. Littleborough again came back with a try, but Andy Popoola wrapped the game up with a try for the visitors. The home side scored on the final whistle to end an entertaining encounter 27-51.

Didsbury next week visit Trafford MV, looking to maintain their excellent form of scoring nearly two hundred points in four games.