Oldham 20 – 22 Didsbury Toc H

Didsbury were faced with the daunting prospect of having seven players unavailable from the previous Saturday’s squad. Five players, including last season’s player of year Gaz Oakley and captain Mike Hyde, were on Oakley’s stag-do. But with four senior teams and a very competitive second team Toc H have strength in depth. Dan Johnson made his starting debut at hooker and acquitted himself admirably.

Didsbury elected to play into the strong wind in the first half, and had the best of the opening exchanges. A number of forward drives produced a penalty, which was kicked into touch within 5 metres of the Oldham try line. A good throw from Johnson found Shaun Walker, and the Didsbury pack marched their opponents over the tryline. Jon Walker touching the ball down for his first try of the season. The tricky conversion was missed. The Didsbury pack looked dangerous with their rolling maul and from another close drive Gareth Price crashed over, extending the lead to 0-10. Oldham’s hard running backline caused Didsbury a number of problems during the match, and from good field position the home side’s fullback stepped inside the drifting defence to score by the posts. The conversion was added and the score remained at 7-10 until the halftime whistle.

Toc H pressed early in the second half and from a pinched lineout in the Oldham 22 another forward drive, spearheaded by Price, produced quick ball. The ball was neatly spread wide and found winger Dave Hoare cutting back inside, who dived under the posts. Bishop added the resulting conversion and the lead was up to ten points, 7-17. Oldham, forced to run everything due to the wind, counterattacked extremely successfully particularly through their right winger. A break by the winger attracted Didsbury defenders and he cleverly kicked cross field to find unmarked players in the midfield to score. Didsbury didn’t learn their lesson and a carbon copy happened shortly afterwards, levelling the game at 17-17. With the game nearing the end Oldham surged forward, and were awarded a controversial penalty in the shadows of the posts. The kick sailed over and Oldham’s team and noisy supporters celebrated like they had won the match. With very little time left Didsbury regained possession from the kick off, and kept the ball alive with Tom Rooney and Sam Wallis spreading the play wide. Quick hands found Hoare with a sniff of a gap out wide. Last season’s top try scorer didn’t need another invite and he dashed over in at the corner, much to the delight of the Didsbury faithful. The final whistle came after the missed conversion and Didsbury had the win and a bonus point for scoring four tries.

A good result for Didsbury, and there will be a headache for the selection committee with so many new players to the starting line up performing so well. Next Saturday Didsbury host Furness, 3pm kick off at Ford Lane.