WITH the Northwich RUFC first XV not in action, the second team’s 40-14 win against Garstang in the NOWIRUL Primo Drinks Bowl took centre stage.
Northwich play in an equivalent league to Garstang and they have similar league positions to one another, so the prospect of an interesting match-up was on the cards.
The conditions were perfect for rugby, firm under foot, dry and free from wind.
Each team fought hard from the first whistle.
Northwich’s Tom Wilson crossed for the opening try after 15 minutes, with Naylor converting.
The referee stamped his authority and demonstrated his mindset issuing a yellow card to each side in the first 15 minutes for infringements which he deemed were cynical and slowing play down and stifling attacks in the final 10m of the pitch.
With both sides back up to 15 players, at the 30-minute mark the hosts’ Johnny Pym broke through the Garstang defence and scored a try that Naylor again converted.
Just before half time Garstang built up the phases of play to work up the pitch and get over the line to half the deficit.
Northwich applied pressure at the beginning of the second half.
Garstang’s defence worked well and was able to repel many attempts to score and they also achieved many turnovers to attack.
As the pendulum swung back and forth the hosts eventually found a way through and Andrew Dawson scored to make it 21-7.
Garstang stepped up their workrate and applied significant pressure across the pitch to the Northwich defence.
Their advantage in territory and possession did not result in any change to the scoreline and against the run of play Northwich broke for Tank to score.
The men in blue began building the phases again, ultimately sniping from the base of a ruck to dart through the defence and cross for their second try.
In the final few minutes Northwich put the icing on their cake, scoring twice through Juan Smit and Harry Bennett.
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