A strong Didsbury team took to the field, and looked to build on their 2 league wins from the first 3 matches of the season.
Littleborough started well, and only some fine Didsbury tackling kept the visitors out. But the visiting flyhalf, who was to turn out to be a constant thorn in Toc's side, opened the scoring with a well taken penalty (0-3). Didsbury came right back into the game, firstly hungrily competing for the ball at the kickoff, and then launching waves of attacks at the Littleborough line. The mounting pressure paid dividends with scrum half Jamie Peacock sneaking over for his first try of the season, following a dominant Didsbury scrum. Peacock was unable to add the conversion to his try, but Didsbury led 5-3. The lead was short lived as Littleborough hit back with another penalty. The Didsbury pack was making headway with their rolling maul making serious gains in territory and came close to going over for a try in the corner. Enita Okodiko had up to this point had a quiet game, but that changed with a barnstorming run from the halfway line. He raced through the heart of the visitors defence, and then when faced by the fullback he rounding him to speed into the corner. Peacock was again just short with the conversation (10-6). With time almost up in the first half Littleborough hit a post from a penalty kick, allowing Didsbury to go in ahead at halftime.
Enita scored his second try of the game following another spell of concerted pressure 15-6. Both sides had chances to increase their scores, but upto the 70th minute both defences held firm. Littleborough closed the gap with a penalty kick (15-9) with only 9 minutes left on the clock. The narrow 6 point gap was starting to appear enough with the game entering it's last minutes. But back to back penalties awarded against Didsbury gave the visitors a final platform to launch a final forray. The initial attack was abated, but the ball was recycled and a try was scored between the posts (15-14). Showing steady nerves the visitors 10 knocked the conversation over and snatch the victory 15-16.
Didsbury would have been disappointed with the final result, paticularly as they outscored Littleborough 3 tries to 1. Next Saturday Toc h make the trip to North Manchester.
Comments from the clubhouse:
"Was Tango drinking a pint before coming back off the subs bench?" - a fan
"Phil Dodds had a great first half, a shame he had to come off" - Tommy Dunn