First XV travel away to Dukinfield

With all Home games cancelled, a reversed fixture saw the First XV travel away to Dukinfield in a mid-table clash to continue Toc H’s winning run in the league. Electric finishing by Didsbury flier, Joe Bulbeck, and fitness proved too much for the home side as Didsbury snatched a 41-29 win on the road.

With a small, heavy pitch and large physical pack the home side were to be a tough encounter for Toc H who are more suited to drier, faster conditions. Despite the conditions, Toc H got off the mark just moments after kick off as Joe Bulbeck made the most of sharp break from fullback Rory Gibson to canter over the line. A further two opportunistic tries from Bulbeck, pushed the visitors into a handsome position, leading 19-0 after just 10mins.

The home side soon rallied and starved Toc H of possession for the remainder of the half utilising a dominant set piece to force 2 consecutive push over scrums underneath Didsbury’s sticks. Despite some brick wall defence from veteran backrower Howarth and some good turn over ball, Didsbury continued to struggle maintaining possession. A brutish Dukinfield driving maul before the stroke of half time levelled the scores at 19-19 going into the interval.

Toc H made a number of changes in the backs at half-time in the centres to offer some well needed pace and ballast in defence. Slick hands from the backline down the right wing provided the next break-through as foul-play from a Dukinfield backliner resulted in a penalty try for Toc H breaking the deadlock and moving the score to 26-19 in favour of the visitors. The home team rallied once again by pouncing on a sneaky kick-off resulting in a penalty in the centre of the park. A kick deep into the Toc H corner and another tidy driving maul levelled the scores once again to 26-26 at the 60min mark.

Toc H put together some strong carrying from the forwards and composure out wide to move back into Dukinfields half. Heavy hitting second row, Akman, bullied his way through the Dukinfield fringes to reach over the line, tilting the score line in favour of Didsbury - 33-26 with 10mins left on the clock.

Another surge of well-worked, continuous pressure by the Toc H pack, notably by Matthews, frustrated the defence resulting in a penalty inside the home team’s 22 metres. This was well received by Toc H kicker, Gibson, who slotted a tidy 3 pointer to edge the score to 36-26. Dukinfield responded with a 3 pointer of their own to move within a converted try of the visitors. The final nail in the coffin was hammered home 5mins before full time as Toc H Skipper, Rigby, glided over from 40m. Neat composure from Toc H saw the game through to the close with the score ending 41-29.

Didsbury Toc H will be looking to continue their winning streak, carrying some good form into local derby game vs Heaton Moor on 11/11/2017.

MOM – James Howarth