Workington 42 – 24 Didsbury Toc H

The journey was thankfully without incident, and the team arrived at Workington to be greeted by a gloriously sunny day, and what looked like a fantastic playing surface.

With a good warm-up completed Didsbury looked to gain their first league points of the season, and for the first 20 minutes a neutral watching would have been hard pressed to tell who the home side was. As Didsbury controlled possession and camped themselves in Workington’s half, only mistakes allowed the home side any respite. Whilst attacking a loose pass by Toc H saw Workington gather the ball and race half the length of the pitch to score the opening try (5-0). The home side, always a force at home, extended their lead with a penalty after Mike Hyde was adjudged to be offside (8-0). Workington were starting to look dangerous, particularly with their ability to spread the ball wide quickly and launch attacks from long range. This threat created Workington’s second try, a cutout pass seeing a try by the posts, the conversion was added and the home side had opened up a 15 point lead. Finally some off the sustained pressure by Didsbury saw them unlock the Workington defence. A number of forward drives allowed space wider out for Olly Thomas to race in for a try, Joe Bradbury added the conversion (15-7). With the first half nearing an end, Workington again sprang an attack from deep in their own territory and added their third try (20-7). With the last play of the half Didsbury appeared to have scored in the corner with Jon Mullins diving over, only for the linesman to raise his flag late for a foot in touch.

The second half was a fairly open and entertaining affair started with Workington scoring their fourth try, and securing a bonus point, within minutes of the restart (27-7). But Didsbury stuck to using their powerful forward drives, and got themselves close to the Workington tryline allowing scrum-half Gaz Oakley to touchdown and close the gap to 27-12. Again Workington struck back with a neat break and converted try 34-12, only for Didsbury to cancel it out with their third try of the encounter. A number of phases of quick rucks and driving mauls saw Mike Hyde crash over the line and Bradbury added the conversion 34-19. The home side put themselves clear with a penalty and their sixth try stretching the lead to an unassailable 42-19, but Toc H battled their way back down field to score a fourth try, and with it a league bonus point, with prop Jon Walker forcing his way over from close range.

A tough and competitive encounter for Didsbury, who despite being pleased to come away with a point, could have had more if they had defended better. The coaching staff will take some positives from the game; the good running by backrow Mark Harrison (most people’s man of the match), the set-pieces went well and the daunting set of fixtures that the team has had to start the campaign should start to level up.

Next week Didsbury welcome Egremont to Ford Lane – 3pm kick off.