ASPULL 34-24 DIDSBURY TOC H

This was an improved performance from Toc after a poor display at home to Oswestry - but it yielded the same result: defeat on a joyless trip to Aspull.

Toc’s third defeat in four to start the season at least offered some crumbs of comfort as South Lancs and Cheshire 2 continues to throw up surprises.

The main one here was the tackle completion rate from the home side, which was deeply impressive.

They barely missed a tackle all afternoon and they were forced to make lots of them.

Admittedly, Didsbury still aren’t attacking with the potency of last season - but with potentially eight backs still unavailable this was a significant step up on the flat performance of the previous week.

On this showing there are clear signs of improvement and more than a tacit suggestion that this team has plenty to offer.

For much of this match, Toc were forcing the pace and controlled territory and possession.

But Aspull's ability to soak up pressure never faltered.

That they lost by 30 points the previous week suggests Toc will have to be more clinical at both ends of the pitch before taking on the likes of Heaton Moor (November 11) and Winnington Park (this weekend, September 29).
The game finished four tries apiece and had Toc not conceded a dubious breakaway try in the dying minutes, they would have secured a deserved second bonus point.

The visitors took the game to Aspull from the first whistle and for much of the first period set up camp in the home side’s half.

On a rare visit to the Toc end, Aspull slotted penalty to open the scoring; on their second visit they crossed for tidy try in the corner. Their other points came from a solidly struck penalty from long distance. Toc, in contrast, were made to work much harder to get on the scoreboard.

After a period of sustained pressure on the Aspull line, right wing Dave Hoare sneaked over in the corner to take back the lead; and the veteran gathered a cute cross-field kick from Rory Gibson to score his second after another hammering of the Aspull line. Both conversions were missed.

At that stage it appeared as if Aspull were struggling with the pace of the game - but on a heavy pitch Toc were also working seriously hard to maintain the tempo and relentlessness of their attack.

Given the territorial dominance and possession Toc had in the first 40 minutes, it was tough going in at half-time trailing 11-10.

Again, that was testament to Aspull's defensive effort.

Led by their outside centre, they showed the same commendable commitment until the final whistle. He made a few notable decisions in defence and made one try-saving cover tackle late in the game after some incisive, sharp handling had set Hoare clear down the right.

In the second-half space started to open up. Both teams were blowing on the hour mark, at which point Toc led following tries from captain Harry Rigby and the excellent debutant scrum-half Josh Vize, who was the best player on the pitch.

Those scores from Toc cancelled out a couple of well-worked set-piece tries which Aspull executed well.

A late penalty edged the home team further ahead – in contrast, Toc missed a very makeable three points of their own – before the final try, which came from a borderline turnover in the Aspull 22.

The good news is that this is another difficult away trip done with in what has been a demanding start to the season for Toc.

It doesn’t get any easier.

Unbeaten promotion favourites Winnington Park are the visitors to Ford Lane on Saturday.

All support welcome. 3pm kick off.