Didsbury Toc H 15 – 12 Littleborough

It had been a couple of seasons since the two sides had played each other but the fixtures were always tense closely fought contests, and Saturday’s match proved no different.
Littleborough have performed well in the league (sitting in 5th position prior to kick off), following promotion from North Lancs 1.

Didsbury named a now familiar pack, and went for experience in the centres with Neil Wilkinson and Dylan Williams (combined age of 82). Unfortunately Tom Makin had shoulder surgery last week ruling him out of the remaining league campaign.

The visitors started the game well, and demonstrated why they are sitting comfortably in the top half of the league table. Only some solid tackling from Toc H kept Littleborough at bay. Didsbury got themselves into the match and started to get their gameplan flowing, and with it came territory. From a 5 metre attacking scrum, the Didsbury pack drove the large Littleborough pack over the line for number 8 Dave Foster to touch down for the opening try. The conversion missed (5-0). Both teams had periods of attacking play for the remainder of the half, but the best chance fell to Littleborough just before the interval. A clean break through the centre channel took play to within touching distance of the tryline, and only a fantastic tackle by fullback Olly Thomas stopped the certain score.

Didsbury came out firing after the break, and the home side’s pack drove deep into Littleborough’s 22. With the drive stopped, scrum half Gaz Oakley cleverly dummied and pounced over for a try. Again the conversion was missed (10-0). The score remained unchanged until about 20 minutes to go, from which point Didsbury played the majority of the remaining time with 2 players off the pitch – as the home side received 3 yellow cards. Littleborough took their chances well, and scored 2 tries – converting one of them to take the lead 10-12 and time running out. Didsbury’s league survival chances were possible teetering on the edge, but the home side showed real character. The pack drove forward, and sucked in Littleborough defenders desperate to stop what would be the winning score. With space now out wide Didsbury sent the ball through the hands for winger Sam Wallis to score. The conversion missed, but this was not important as Toc H had secured the win 15-12.

A close result for Didsbury, but it was tight encounters like this that the Ford Lane side were on the wrong end off earlier in the season.

Didsbury visit Cumbria next Saturday to face St Benedicts.