It was a wet and soggy day when the unbeaten Didsbury Toc H 3s travelled to Ashton on Mersey. Due to other teams conceding and a cup game this was the first league game the 3s had played in a month.
This gap in games was shown and Toc got off to a very slow start. At 35 minutes there was still no score for either side. The ball stayed mainly in toc's half yet Ashton could find no way through due to a very organised toc defence. This frustration lead to Ashton ill discipline with 3 players being carded and down to 12 men with 5 minutes of the half remaining. Finally Toc seemed to get some attacking play together and were in the Ashton 22 but despite the numerical superiority toc could not find a way through. A penalty was given and toc decided to take the points and brooks easily converted in front of the posts. 0-3.
The less said about the next 28 minutes the better but Ashton were able to score a try straight from the kick off and got another 2 tries in the second half.
BUT... the 3s never gave up. And this is what playing in the 3s has always been about, a team that plays until the bitter end. One of the Ashton players could be heard, whilst winning 18-3 with ten minutes to go, muttering "these boys won't give up". And toc was rewarded for this. 3 try's in the last 7 minutes. 2 from centre Tom White and a last minute try from 2016s player of the season Paul Petrie sealing the win!
There have been many great games by Didsbury Toc H 3s in the last 2 seasons, Winnies away springs to mind, but to be losing 18-3 with ten minutes to go and to leave the field with a win must go down as one of the best!
This result means the 3s are still unbeaten, taking full points from the first 7 games. Next Saturday is a real test however, playing league leaders Broughton at home. A must win game.
Team
Crabtree, Suli, Beardsall, Weeden, Pinney (vice captain), Wilkins, Stead, Macaleenan, Zeke (MOM), Brooks, Etough, White, Petrie, Bustfiled, Langridge, Churchill (captain) Hammersley, Chris