1st XV
Matches
Sat 07 Dec 2019  ·  ADM Premier Division
Trafford MV
10
39
Didsbury Toc H RFC
1st XV
Toc H record back-to-back victories against Trafford MV

Toc H record back-to-back victories against Trafford MV

Arthur Crabtree16 Dec 2019 - 13:57
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TRAFFORD MV 10 – 39 DIDSBURY TOC H

A clinical second-half performance saw Toc H record back-to-back victories against Trafford MV, this one in the ADM Premier Division.

The scoreline does few favours to the hosts - things were very tight after an hour - but Toc’s dominance was evident throughout, even when reduced to 14 men following a red card to Mike Hyde.

Didsbury managed to win the second half 29-0 thanks to a number of big performances from senior players.

James Howarth, Harry Jones and captain Harry Rigby all left their mark – in more ways than one in Jones’ case – and once the backs got some quick ball they started to look much more accomplished, with Jack Akrigg, Seb Sheratte and Tom Makin all contributing to a more fluid second-half display.

Things had looked precarious at half time when the scores were level and with the visitors facing a second period with 14 men.

But there was an encouraging determination about Didsbury which enabled them to maintain their intensity, possession and territory despite the numerical disadvantage.

Eventually, that was reflected on the scoreboard.

MV spent the first half an hour of the game camped in their own half, and most of that in their 22, but some stoic defence kept Toc to ten points.

The conditions, although cold, were more conducive to open rugby than they had been a week previously when these two sides locked horns in the cup.

But there was still a familiar feel to all this. In the face of huge periods of Toc pressure, the home side were right in it at the break.

It was 10-10 here; MV had led 13-10 at half-time the previous week.

Toc, though, are turning into a second half team and once again finished stronger than their opponents.

This time a lot stronger, running in tries from Andy Alexander, a brace from Ben Oldale and Rory Gibson and a first score for utility back Jake Hunter.

Once Toc found their rhythm, helped largely through a very solid lineout display, they looked a good side.

Defensively, they have made great strides under the guidance of former Saracens and Wasps prop Sean Phillips.

But with quick ball they also have an array of useful attacking options allied to an effective kicking game and an abrasive, dynamic front five, all of whom are eager to carry ball.

After five years of searching, Toc might also have found themselves a goalkicker.

Encouragingly, after some laughably bad attempts at goal even by Didsbury’s deplorable standards, they welcomed the return of fly-half Seb Sheratte.

He came on in the second-half and produced a kicking display the likes of which Toc last saw during the Massingham Era.

After missing his first from in front of the sticks, a clear legacy of what had gone before him, he quickly found his range and by the end of the game he literally couldn’t miss, slotting conversions from all over the place.

It will be a lovely asset to have in the second half of the season.

The only other ‘slotting’ going on was to be found in midfield where Trafford’s ball carriers were taking a lot of shots, some of them borderline, as Didsbury’s transformed defence really started to make itself felt.

There was one hit, in particular, which should see Jones in front of the magistrates.

A good win, we go again in the New Year.

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Dec 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

ADM Premier Division

League position

5
Didsbury TH
12
Trafford MV
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