Didsbury Toc H 34 – 7 Furness

Toc H were able to welcome back a number of players who missed the victory over Oldham the previous week, and dominated Furness in every aspect of the match.

Furness started well, and should have taken the lead, only to see the ball dropped with the tryline beckoning. This kick started Didsbury into life, and they piled the pressure on the Furness defence. After several phases the ball found wily flanker Gareth Price who forced his way over in the corner. The tricky conversion was missed by Bishop. Furness struggled to contain centre James Southall, who made a number of surging runs through the defence. Southall was rewarded with two first half tries, on both occasions using his strength to carry defenders with him over the whitewash. Furness struck back with an exceptional try by their fullback before the break, the pacey player beat several would be Didsbury tacklers before touching down between the sticks. The halftime score of 17-7, gave the impression that the game was tighter than the first half action displayed.

Didsbury stuck to the task set by their coaches, and secured their fourth try, and subsequent bonus point early after the restart. Sean Bishop finishing off a flowing move. Fly-half Neil Wilkinson scored Didsbury’s best try of the game squeezing in the corner, after a great break by Perkins Joseph. Bishop added his second conversion of the game, from perhaps the trickiest chance. Didsbury had the lead 29-7, and despite a couple of forays into Didsbury territory Furness were unable to trouble the home sides defence. The Didsbury pack worked well as a unit all game, and a rolling maul was finished off with Andre Swan touching down for his first try of the season.

Another bonus point win keeps Didsbury in fourth place and the coaches will be pleased with the effort put in. Next Saturday Didsbury have an away trip to Keswick.