Match Report: TOC H vs. Eccles (5-52)
The anticipated clash between the 4th and 2nd placed teams drew a significant crowd to Ford Lane, with spectators expecting a closely contested encounter. However, the match quickly became a dominant performance by Eccles against a short-handed TOC H side.
TOC H started brightly, with Captain Tom Andrews securing an opening score in just the third minute. Unfortunately, the remaining 77 minutes of the game saw a relentless offensive display from Eccles.
A pivotal moment occurred in the fifth minute when TOC H Number 8, James Plested, was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle. During this ten-minute penalty period, Eccles secured their first try via a push-over from a scrum. Plested returned to the field on the 15-minute mark, but his tenure was short-lived. In the 16th minute, a tackle involving two TOC H players resulted in a near-identical incident to the first. The referee, adjudging Plested to be the primary instigator, issued a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and reducing the TOC H side to 14 men for the remainder of the game.
The referee, who performed excellently throughout the match, later clarified that both tackles involved two defenders, but Plested was perceived as the instigator on both occasions. The official noted that there was no malicious intent, attributing the incidents to poor technique.
From that point forward, Eccles' numerical advantage and superior execution led to them scoring a further seven tries. They demonstrated dominance upfront and clinical finishing in the backline, resulting in a thoroughly deserved 52-5 victory. Eccles is clearly poised to be a formidable contender this season.
The TOC H squad did display periods of resilience in the second half, yet they will need to demonstrate significant character and focus this week to rebound from this result.
The challenge intensifies in two weeks as the team faces Level 6 Widnes in the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup. The squad will now rest and prepare rigorously in their pursuit of a place in the final.

In positive news, the 2nd XV continued their undefeated season, securing a thrilling victory over Burnage in a fixture that was a double header for both league and cup standings. Unfortunately, the 3rd XV suffered a comprehensive defeat against Old Bedians 1st XV.