Didsbury Toc H 32 – 26 Upper Eden

Didsbury were 24-0 ahead at half time, but were pegged back to 32-26 at the final whistle.

Didsbury were able to welcome back Phil Lovely, Joe Bradbury and Sean Bishop into the starting line-up, and Dave foster returned to the squad to take a place on the bench.

The pitch, despite being underwater two weeks ago, was in remarkably good condition and the weather was set fair for an open game.
The opening exchanges were dominated by the home side, with Didsbury looking comfortable in possession and playing an expansive game. The first try soon came with Tom Rooney crashing over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide from Bishop. The home side pack was in rampant form, with hooker and Captain Mike Hyde taking several scrums against the feed. With good field position the ball went through the hands to James Southall in the centres, who used his strength to force his way over for a try by the posts. Bishop added the extra’s and the lead was up to 12-0. The energetic Upper Eden team game more into the game, but a stray pass by the visitors in an attacking position was snaffled by winger Dave Hoare who started the long race to the line. Perhaps a few seasons ago, and on harder ground the try would never have been in doubt. But with 20 metres to go the defending winger was beginning to gain on Hoare, Dave managed to hold off the tackler and got over the tryline. Bishop again added the conversion, and the sizable lead was now 19-0. The pressure was maintained on Upper Eden, and some majestic handling from second row pairing Lovely and Sean Walker set the platform for veteran prop Steve McDonough to finish of a rolling maul. McDonough’s first try of the season, much to the delight of the home crowd. The halftime whistle went, and Didsbury had a lead of 24-0.

With such a lead an Upper Eden comeback looked highly unlikely, but games are never dull when Toc H are involved and the visitors managed to score 3 unanswered tries in the second half. The tries came from Upper Eden’s effort, but the home side were questioning some of the referees decisions. Didsbury struck back with a Bishop penalty to lead 27-19, and then the away team scored again with a converted try. With the score now 27-26 an upset was potentially on the cards, but Didsbury forced Upper Eden back and the visitors had to throw into a lineout 5 metres from their own tryline. The ball missed it’s intended target, and number 8 James Eames crossed the line untouched. The conversion from out wide just missed, and there was still time for the game to be restarted. The ball was safely gathered, and after an incisive run by Dylan Williams, substitute Richie Bray smashed the ball into touch.

A relieved Didsbury team left the field, but with the team unable to train properly since the start of November, due to the freezing conditions, followed by the flood basin being filled, a lack of cohesion at times over the last few weeks could be excused. With the training area becoming usable again Didsbury’s form to the close of the season should pick up.

Next week Didsbury welcome , for the first time, promotion chasing Aspatria to Ford Lane, 2:15pm kick off.