Survival stalemate

Didsbury travelled away on the road for their final distance trip of the season knowing only a win would do against bottom placed Egremont. With several senior players missing due to six nation ‘jollies’ and injuries Didsbury recalled some youth to the squad.
Following the pre match build up Didsbury started the match well with the desire and heart showed from previous matches. Unfortunately experienced openside Aidan Murphy had to leave the field within minutes of the match with suspected concussion, however he was ably replaced by front row to back row convert Mark Chambers. The base of good set play allowed Didsbury release some pacey backs early on in the game. A penalty opportunity allowed a kick to the corner and following a successful catch and drive the effective rolling maul led to blindside Will Colborn scoring his first try for the club. The conversion was missed.
This didn’t deter Egremont who came back hard at the visitors and after a sustained period of pressure on the Didsbury line their scrum half managed to sneak over for a converted try.
From the kick off strong runs from Mike Hyde and Dave Foster got Didsbury back into a position which allowed centre Ali Gray put up a high ball that the Egremont full back caught but was then hit and stripped of the ball in one smooth movement by winger Enita Okidiko who had a free run on to score his first club try, the conversion was added by Sam Wallis.
With the bit between their teeth Didsbury kept the pressure on Egremont. After a couple of phases in centre field Gray broke free and rounded 2 defenders to score an unconverted try in the corner. Unfortunately after this phase of play Didsbury took their minds of the game and became complacent this allowed Egremont to capitalise and following a 22m lineout Shaun Walker was given 10mins rest for allegedly pulling down his opposite number in the air – this numerical advantage allowed a subsequent line out to be driven over the line and their prop claimed the score.
This left the half time score at 12-17 to the visitors.

Stern words from Coach Popoola lead to a strong start in the second half but this was soon hampered by some bizarre and inconsistent refereeing decisions that included a yellow card to centre Gray shortly after Walker returned to the field. With a man down Didsbury had to do some desperate defending during the period and struggled to get out of the 22. They survived the score and got away into centre field but unfortunately an elusive run from the Egremont full back lead to a score which brought things level.
With Didsbury at full numbers and attacking well a dropped pass allowed an Egremont back to run in a long range score and take the lead. This was a wakeup call for the visitors who from the kick off attacked strongly and maintained field positions and territory. A turn over at a line out allowed a break from substitute Andy Lynn who then fed Wallis down the wing but after a 40m run he was stopped short by a great cover tackle knocking him into touch. With minutes left on the clock following a series of forward drives saw a crash ball to Hyde was stopped just short but fellow front rower prop Dafydd Williams managed to pick up and go over near the posts – he’s been awarded the try but officially the ref gave it as a pen try given a high tackle held him up over the line. The conversion was added by Wallis to bring all level at 24 all. Didsbury were not giving up and with only seconds left the gave it another final surge for the line but unfortunately Okidioko was tackled into touch 10m out as the final whistle blew. Didsbury can take consolation in 3 points on the road but will be kicking themselves it wasn’t 5 points! Next week and a tough challenge at Eccles but given the league predicament they are all must wins and the team will need to believe that if they are to survive.