Double Dawes Open To Blow Away Longton.
Longton and the elements subdue Street in first half of 18 penalties.
A canny cure for challenging conditions was required at Rugby Road in this blustery, freezing, gale force encounter, against a big and robust Longton RFC outfit holding sway at the end of a wind assisted first half. A fine second period showing by League leaders ‘Street saw their visitors concede four tries as ‘Street piled on the points through tries by Ben Dawes (2), Nick Thatcher and Beau Carney to forge a 31 points to nil second half performance. Added to an Andy Murray first half touchdown and fly half, Lee Chapman’s 13 points from his trusted boot, it saw the home side seal a 38 – 10 victory.
Longton’s Taz Wara opened the scoring after 15 minutes; with a try wide right as forward pressure on the left of field gave the visitor’s a tight overlap in the far corner. Grant Hallam converted splendidly from wide in gale conditions to open a 0 – 7 lead. Having to work hard against the wind, ‘Street persevered and were rewarded when a dummying and handoff break by prop Josh McNulty took him into the Longton half where winger Andrew Murray, showing great vision, darted through a tight ruck defence to score untouched, Chapman guided the ball through the sticks for 7 – 7 after 23 minutes played. On the half hour, Hallam restored Longton’s lead with a penalty, after missing his first attempt in the third minute, 7 – 10. The hosts then lost flanker Jamie Harrop six minutes later to a ‘yellow’, for trying to ‘jackal’, (he was not the tackler??) and he was not the first, nor the last of the day, from either team, to fall foul in such circumstances. Still, down to 14 players, ‘Street threatened to regain the lead when full back, Danny Richards broke the defence and made a good run down the left, supported by centre Will Owen to 10 metres and, from a chip kick, the forwards took over and only a penalty for holding on brought relief for the visitors. Two minutes later, Longton picked up their ‘yellow’ at a ruck; giving ‘Street an attacking lineout 10 metres out, only for them to be penalised for crossing in the lineout. Richards again opened up Longton’s defence with a well-timed run and was able to draw the last defender and put Chapman away with a clear run to the line; however, a great track-back heroic tackle brought the fly half down short of the line and in the following scramble ‘Street lost possession, and with it a golden opportunity to score. Longton’s hooker suffered concussion during the ‘scramble’ and had to be replaced. ‘Street regained possession minutes later but a fumble allowed the Longton clearance; but, within minutes the hosts were on the attack again through centre Todd Freemantle and Beau Carney linking well, to take play beyond half way; however, a scrum pick up by Chris Wood and ruck later, ‘Street were penalised and the good work came to nought. Chapman did have one more chance before the break with a penalty kick attempt but the ball sailed off course. Half Time: Broadstreet 7 Longton 10.
Ben DawesAndrew MurrayIt was a different matter thereafter as ‘Street re-started play; regained possession, before prop/hooker Ben Dawes opened his account when finishing off some direct approach work with a trademark two metre dash. Try, converted by Chapman; and all before the clock registered a minute played, 14 - 10. Soon after, Will Owen had a good dash out left but was bundled into touch short of scoring. A turnover gave ‘Street a drive but a Longton player robbed the ball away and the visitors put together a great break up field to ‘Street’s 22 metre line where the defence were penalised for holding on. Hallam’s 12 minute shot at goal failed and ‘Street breathed a sigh of relief. Two more penalties, one each way, were awarded for ‘jackal’ offences before scrum half Nick Thatcher made a blistering break, following a lineout win by one of the Solomon brothers, and he scored a top notch try from 20 metres out for Chapman to convert with ease; 21 – 10 as the game entered the fourth quarter. Three minutes later, Chapman bagged a penalty, 24 – 10 before a period of dominance by ‘Street had Longton defending, through a maul, ten metres from their line. Flanker Beau Carney ripped the ball away and scored untouched. (He’s done something like that before!) Chapman kept up his conversion form for, 31 – 10. From the restart, McNulty made good progress and Chapman drove a lovely kick to just outside Longton’s 22. A free kick to ‘Street at the lineout saw a scrum option taken and Longton were pinged for offside in the threequarters. A lineout penalty drive led to several ruck phases and the predictable result was articulated in the stands before it happened; Dawes popped up for a two metre dash! Chapman obliged with another conversion, 38 – 10. On the stroke of time, ‘Golden Boots Chapman’ had a last pot at the sticks with a long range penalty, but only the narrowest miss brought the game to an end with no further scoring.
Asked for a comment: - Mrs F “I kept quiet today after being told last week that I was too noisy!” (“It won’t last” opined Mr F!)
Cameo Moment: Prop Josh McNulty’s gallop, which included a dummy, a hand-off and an off-load. (Who does he think he is – Brian O’Driscoll?)
Team:McNulty, Dawes, Tatlow; Solomon Andy, Solomon Matt; Carney, Harrop, Wood (C); Thatcher, Chapman; Murray, Freemantle, Owen, Gregson; Richards. Reps: Beddows, Zutic, McGrory.
Much improved Lymm away next outing – no let up chaps!
