Didsbury win seventh succesive match, but will the season finish too soon?

Didsbury have been starting matches well in recent weeks, and Saturday was no exception. The visiting pack dominated their opponents in the early stages of the game and from a strike against the head Andy Popoola was able to force his way past several would-be tacklers to score the first try. The conversion added by Pete Davies. The organised Didsbury defence contained Trafford’s attacks and nullified the wind advantage the home side had in the first half. Fly half Euan Wilder was orchestrating the Didsbury attacks, spreading the ball wide to wingers Harley and Riley, and allowing Davies to attack from fullback. The second try was scored by Davies, who beat a defender on the halfway line and then proceeded to jink past what seemed like the entire Trafford defence before racing to the tryline. This time the conversion was missed, but Didsbury had a telling lead on their fifth placed rivals. Trafford’s only answer to Didsbury’s two first half tries was a solitary penalty, making the half time score 3-12.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Didsbury put the game effectively out of reach at 20-3, with a nicely taken Paul Riley try and a Davies penalty. With the wind in their faces Trafford were forced to run the ball, and they successfully used their big runners to make valuable ground. The home side’s fullback looked a dangerous player and made some intelligent breaks from his own half. Trafford were able to strike back with a try after dislodging the ball out of Gaz Oakley’s hands at the back of a scrum. Didsbury soon restored the lead with hardworking winger Chris Harley scoring in the corner, again the conversion was missed in the blustery conditions. At 8 – 25 Didsbury perhaps took their foot off the gas and Trafford scored a deserved second try on the wing.

Another good result for the Ford Lane outfit and with Eccles slipping up at De La Salle there is still an outside chance of second place in the league. Eccles visit Didsbury next Saturday, and if Toc H are successful in that game and the final match at Ashton they will be willing Old Bedians to beat Eccles in the last game. This would see Didsbury into second and, although unclear due to the RFU league restructuring, possible automatic promotion.