Didsbury started the new season in the newly formed Lancashire (North) division against Pendle, in what we believe to be the first ever fixture between the teams. But with the game unfortunately abandoned on 54 minutes due to a serious injury to a visiting player, it will be for the league officials to decide if the 33-26 scoreline will stand of if he two teams will have to replay the fixture.

Didsbury, following 2 wins out of 2 in their preseason matches against Manchester and Heaton Moor, went into the game in confident fashion. But they welcomed a team in Pendle who went unbeaten in North Lancs 2 last season.

But despite a good start by the hosts, and for what was going to prove somewhat of a habit, some slack Didsbury defence allowed Pendle in for the first try (0-5). Didsbury's pack then started to dominate their opposition, and set piece ball created a perfect platform to launch  their back line. Didsbury struck back to devastating effect with 4 tries before the halftime whistle. Connor Crowe scored the first with a fine break through the defensive line from fullback. The Pendle team then made the cardinal sin of presenting electric heeled winger Enita Okodiko with a sniff of an interception, and as is often the case he took the ball and raced to try line. It soon looked like Enita would double his tally, but with the try line in sight a tackle dislodged the ball, but the experienced Neil Wilkinson was on hand to gather and score under the posts. Didsbury were soon back in the Pendle 22, and from a 5 metre scrum the Didsbury pack drove the ball over for number 8 Martin Oldfield to eventually touch down for the bonus point try. At this point a combination of very determined play by Pendle, and some further slack play by Didsbury saw Pendle score 3 further tries to close the gap to 28-26 at the break.
The second half started with this season's captain Dave Hoare scoring a try, and unlike his previous four attempts Olly Thomas went wide with the conversion. Soon after that try and with Pendle on the attack, the visiting ball carrier took the ball into contact but unluckily he landed awkwardly and the quick actions of the medical teams saw the player remain still on the ground whilst an ambulance was called for. With still 26 minutes left to play, and no spare pitches to use the referee had little choice but to abandon the match.
Both teams agreed that they were happy for the result to stand (5 points for Didsbury and 2 losing bonus points for Pendle), but rules dictate that a minium of 60 minutes should be played for a result to be called. But we wait to see what the league decides in this instance.
Didsbury learnt that the Pendle player was released from hospital on Sunday, and should recover fully, we wish him well.

Next Saturday Toc h travel to Tarleton.