Didsbury Toc h 29 - 27 Thornton Cleveleys

After the previous week’s defeat at Tarleton, Toc had the luxury of naming a strong 18, although injuries (notably to Harry Rigby, who had an operation on a broken hand last week and will be out for some time) and unavailability again necessitated a few position changes across the team.

On a fine surface and on an unexpectedly warm day, the game began at a frantic pace, with the visitors firmly on the front foot, sending their heavy carriers into the teeth of the Toc defence and moving the ball well along their backline. Indeed, it was only good scramble defence that kept Thornton at bay, however Didsbury held out and started to gain a foothold in the game through the set-piece, where they had the edge all afternoon.

If was from one such scrum that Toc took the lead – a good wheel by the front row of Ames, Hyde and Walker allowed number 8 Oldfield and scrum-half Luffman the space to break down the blindside and release skipper Dave Hoare into space. He went in unopposed and Ollie Thomas converted for a 7-0 lead. 10 minutes later, a good break in midfield by fellow wingman Enita Okodiko, followed by good hands from the backline allowed Hoare the space to squeeze in at the corner, a try which was superbly converted by Thomas for a 14-0 lead.

Thornton struck right back and good quick ball from their pack found their 13 (who caused Didsbury problems all day) cutting a strong angle through the midfield, to go unopposed for a converted try under the posts. It was then Toc’s turn to get back on the front foot and from good lineout ball, veteran fly-half Neil Wilkinson found Hoare on the crash-ball; the winger hit the gap and rounded the full back for his hat-trick try, again converted by Thomas, for a 21-7 lead.

However, Didsbury know from previous experience that Thornton do not lie down and they came back at the South Manchester men with renewed intensity. First, their 13 again broke down the middle, only to be hauled down metres from the line by a superb covering tackle by Okodiko. However, Enita was judged to have handled the ball on the floor and prevented a try scoring opportunity, so was dispatched to the sin-bin for a 10 minute breather. From the resulting tap penalty, Thornton’s prop went over and this converted try was followed by another soon after, when they exploited the space left by Okodiko’s absence to send their skipper over for a well-finished try from long range The conversion signalled half-time, with the scores tied at 21 apiece.

With Okodiko still in the bin, Toc tightened up their game plan and defence and started the 2nd half with a good spell of possession. Thomas landed an excellent long-range penalty and shortly after, was the beneficiary of a clever chip over the top from replacement Jamie Peacock, to go over for Didsbury’s bonus point try, which this time was unconverted. 29-21. Toc thought that they had then put the game to bed when Hoare broke through the middle and despite the attention of a despairing cover tackle, appeared to go over for his fourth of the afternoon. However the official had other ideas and pinged the winger for a double-movement. Hoare will doubtless claim that he wasn’t held, but the score was chalked off, giving Thornton hope, as they trailed by just 8 points, with 15 minutes to go.

Despite adding two late penalties and thanks to some desperate defence by Didsbury, Thornton were unable to overhaul this lead and the match ended 29-27. Great credit should go to our west Lancashire friends, who played an aggressive, high-tempo game throughout and were a much stronger outfit than in recent seasons – they appear to have recruited well over the summer and will go well in an increasingly competitive North Lancashire league (although will likely be sick of the sight of Toc H, following 2 or 3 narrow defeats over the last couple of years).

Didsbury will be delighted with the 5 point haul against a good side, especially as this was a game that they could have lost, however will be under no illusions – this was by no means a complete performance and although there was plenty to be pleased with, there is lots to be worked on over the coming Tuesday and Thursday nights. Next Saturday brings Burnley away, never an easy place to go. CYTM.

Arthur Crabtree