Didsbury Toc H 31 – 7 Bolton

Toc H started in good fashion, forcing their visitors onto the back foot from the first whistle. An early Dylan Williams penalty was sent just wide of the post, but the scoreboard was soon moving with a fine team try. The ball was recycled through numerous pairs of hands, before setting up winger Dave Hoare. Hoare, in outstanding try scoring form of late, outstripped the cover defence to score under the posts. Pete Davies added the conversion to give Didsbury a 7-0 lead. The early try appeared to quell Didsbury’s desire, and spurred Bolton into action. A fast flowing move broke through the Didsbury defence, and fantastic handling saw Bolton score by the posts. The easy conversion was added to level the scores. The home side responded in the best possible fashion just before the half time break. From an attacking lineout Didsbury’s pack drove the ball towards the tryline, the Bolton defence opened up allowing skipper Mike Hyde to scamper under the posts, for his first try of the season. Davies added the extras, making the half time score 14-7.

Didsbury’s coaching staff spelt out that the players had to raise their levels of performance for the second half.

The second half was much improved from Didsbury, a good break allowed second row Shaun Walker to gallop over for his debut first team try. The conversion was just wide, 19-7. Bolton came back at Didsbury, but good defence turned the ball over and Hoare hacked the ball forward. Hoare continued his kick and chase a good 60 metres down the wing and finally collapsed on the ball for a lung bursting try. The tricky conversion was missed, but Didsbury now had a commanding 24-7 lead. With the game nearing the end, versatile back Andy Popoola smashed his way through the centres, drew the fullback and cleverly offloaded to Davies who touched down under the posts. Davies converted his own try to make the final score 31-7.

Toc H will be pleased with the second half performance and they return to third spot in the league.

Elsewhere, Toc H’s seconds saw off Thornton Cleveleys 6-22, the thirds beat Knutsford 15-43 and the fourths completed, for the second week running, a clean sweep with a 22-13 defeat of Rochdale.