PGRFC 5th 24-40 GARSTANG 2nd XV
On a typical autumnal day, the 5ths welcomed local rivals Garstang to Lightfoot Lane. The home side had the unusual situation of having more backs than forwards in the squad, due to injuries and other commitments.
The game started brightly for the 5ths with an early penalty which Ben Markland missed. This was to be the highlight of the half. With ill-discipline, missed tackles and passive rucking just some of the problems the 5ths had in the first half.
To add insult to injury the Garstang pack was awarded a penalty try when an effective rolling maul was deemed to be pulled down. With the visitors rampant the score at half time was a deserved 0 -24 to the Garstang side.
A couple of changes to the side at half time with DJ for John La Velle and Danny “Just got off the plane from Benidorm” Whalley for Chris Jenkins in the centres. The second half started with the same problems as the first.
However, this was to improve thanks to Ollie Topping.
Garstang had a penalty and went for distance, Ollie with his toes just millimetres away from the whitewash caught the ball in the right-wing position. He then went on a mazy run which ended on the halfway line on the left-wing, where Mat Elliott was supporting and Ollie popped it to him, Matt then carried on the run into the Garstang 22, when he managed to offload it to a supporting forward. Garstang held out but it was the spark that was needed to get the home side going.
The home side thought they were then going to get there first score of the day. “Big” Luke Jackson trundled towards the Garstang line. When he was over the line he managed to drop the ball when it was easier to score. Soon the home side got their first score through Ollie Topping who managed to touch the ball down in the left-wing position after another superb mesmerising run. DJ from tight head prop converted the difficult kick.
Tinny soon added another one to his try collection for the season, Ben Markland sent a high kick into the corner which the Garstang winger dropped into the hands of Tinny who still had some work to do to get the score which he did in the corner. Unfortunately, DJ hooked the conversion.
The Garstang side then reasserted control and scored another two tries before Ollie got his second try of the afternoon. The backs showed excellent hands in the chilly conditions in the second half and a pass to Ollie from the lively Danny Whalley allowed him to dot down in the right corner. DJ again hooked the conversion wide. With only two minutes left Tinny got the ball midway in the Garstang half. He then weaved his way round the Garstang defence before dotting the ball down under the sticks. Tinny then also converted his own try.
Overall a 24-40 loss which flattered the home side in which constant ill-discipline cost them dearly.
MoM- Matt Elliott (should have been Ollie Topping but he had gone before fines)
DoD – Ben Markland for awful kicking and tackling… if you can call it that!
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