Didsbury Toc H 25 – 7 De La Salle

Four tries to one secured Didsbury a 25-7 victory and a try scoring bonus point. The victory sees Toc H finish in a creditable mid-table position after last season’s promotion.

Didsbury were without pack members Steve McDonough and Sean Walker, but they were ably replaced by Tony Ames and Aidan Murphy.
Didsbury’s topsy-turvy last few months have seen them play some scintillating rugby at times during games, only to fall off and allow their opposition to sneak victories. The coaching staff demanded that the intensity remained for eighty minutes, and for the most part last Saturday that is what the Didsbury squad did. Toc H started very well and dominated the opening exchanges, with good possession presenting winger Dave Hoare with an early chance to use his pace. He sped past his opposite number and cleverly chipped the fullback to touch down, scoring his 20th try of the campaign. Gaz Oakley, with the kicking responsibilities for the day, narrowly missed the conversion. Didsbury soon returned to De La Salle territory and a charging run by Dylan Williams was only thwarted by a high tackle. Oakley slotted the resulting kick and Didsbury led 8-0. Again the early onslaught continued and Didsbury set up a good platform inside the D e La Salle half. Oakley fed the ball left to captain Mike Hyde, who drew the defence to feed Tom Rooney who dived in at the corner. Oakley unfortunately hit the post with the conversion, but the lead was now 13-0. De La Salle, never a side to lie down, started to find some fluidity to their attacks and only some fine home defence kept the visitors out. With time running out of the first half, Didsbury were awarded another penalty in the De La Salle 22. They elected for the scrum, and judging by the scrums previous in the game a try was surely on the cards. But the visitors were able to disrupt the scrum and clear their lines. Oakley missed with another penalty just on the stroke of halftime.

At 13-0 Didsbury were not quite in a match winning position, and this was compounded by De La Salle scoring an early converted try after the restart. Didsbury weathered the storm and worked their way back into an attacking position. Again a penalty was awarded, and again Didsbury elected for a scrum. This time the pressure told, and after resetting the scrum a number of times, the referee had no option but award a penalty try. Dylan Williams added the extras, stretching the lead to 20-7. Again Didsbury held firm in defence and thwarted a number of De La Salle attacks. The game was wrapped up by Hoare racing in out wide for his 21st try of the season. Good work in the centres allowed the ball to be fed to Hoare, who always finishes from those positions. At 25-7 Didsbury had more chances to score with substitute Perkins Joseph busting the line and going close twice.

A fine team performance by Didsbury with all players playing their part in the victory. With the league season over, and Didsbury in a very worthy mid-table position the team can build towards next season’s campaign. But before that Didsbury face Liverpool Collegiate in the semi-final of the Lancashire Plate next Saturday, 3pm kick off at Ford Lane. Didsbury, defending champions of the plate, face the unknown in Liverpool Collegiate who compete in the equivalent league of South Lancs & Cheshire 1.