Marple 1st XV 37 – 12 Lymm Eagles

PRIMO DRINKS BOWL SEMI FINAL

Eagles Fall to Marple Power Play in Cup Semi Final

On a breezy and overcast Saturday, Lymm Eagles took a break from their league campaign to travel over to meet league table toppers Marple 1XV in the Semi Final of the Primo Bowl.  After a bye in the first round, a victory over Wallasey in the record breaking lads and dads game and a walkover victory against Liverpool Medics in the quarter finals, the Eagles had rather stumbled into the semi-finals, but were still hoping to end their season with a cup final.  Unfortunately, Marple had other ideas!!

As with the other Lymm Senior Teams, the Eagles were once again struggling to find sufficient ambulatory players for this week’s important match. Captain Olly Brown, himself carrying a severe knock from last week and wisely could only offer his services on a stand-in replacement, temporary, part time, last ditch, if all else fails, basis. With regular players like Rick McEvoy and Chris Kinsey amongst many others unavailable due to injury, Olly had to cast his net as wide as possible to include those with at least some functioning body parts and able to play if pointed in the right direction. In the event, the Eagles were able to arrive with a full squad including two replacements and with delayed full back, Sully Sullivan, promising to get there before half time. A big thanks to all those who stepped up to play this week and particularly youngster Tallis Keeler and both the Halford brothers, Richard, and Adam who we have not seen playing together for a while. Nice also to see Tony and Yvonne who came along to support their sons and who, together with Tallis Keeler’s dad and this scribe, brought the Lymm support to four (or seven if you include the Halford labradors).  Marple however, being a 1^st team, seemed to have no issues raising both players and a large crowd. The vociferous Marple supporters filled most of the opposite touchline. Being a Cup Match, the league also provided a referee and two touch judges to oversee the match and ensure fair play whilst depriving this scribe of his regular Saturday exercise (although at least no one shouted at me this week).

The kick off was made under grey skies into a strong gusting wind and a light drizzle. Right from the off it was clear that Marple had a well drilled squad combining some very big and highly mobile forwards and very quick and experienced backs. Lymm were immediately put on the back foot and having to continually repel thundering attacks from Marple. Fortunately, the tackling from the all the Eagles forwards, Ben Stroud, Matt Grellier, George Harrison and Max Ure was highly effective but also judged a bit high on several occasions leading to unnecessary penalties. Marple were also dominant in the lineouts, but Lymm were more than match for the home team in the scrums. Experienced, veteran scrum half Martin Henderson did an excellent job extracting the ball form the set and loose pieces and getting it out to the backs. However, the Eagles struggled to get any real shape to their game which had started to look like a re-run of last week’s game against Manchester Medics. Fly half Alan Reddecliff made a great attempt to open the scoring with a penalty kick from 30m out and was only denied by the strong gusty wind. From the restart, the Marple backs got the ball to their speedy left winger who get within 5m of the Lymm line before being felled by a try saving tackle from Stu Norman at full back. Support arrived from the Lymm backs who managed to recover the situation and clear their line. Unfortunately, the ball was collected and immediately returned by Marple in a straight line crossfield run to score in the corner after only 10 minutes play. The try was unconverted (5 – 0).

Lymm continued to be put under a huge amount of pressure and were still struggling to set up any coherent playing strategy. With repeated penalties being awarded for a range of infringements, it was almost inevitable that Marple would run in another score only 7 minutes later. Again the wind denied Marple the conversion (10 – 0). Instead of regrouping and returning to their usual forward led game, with the pressure on Lymm attempted to gain ground with long kicks up field. These were easily fielded by the Marple full back and wingers who simply turned on the gas and skilfully swerved and dodged any attempts at tackles to run in three more tries in quick succession on 20, 22 and 28 minutes with one successful conversion. (27 – 0). During this period, lock forward Ben Stroud received a knock which rendered him unable to continue and he was replaced to rest up.

Marple’s rejoicing after their last score seemed to turn a switch on in the Eagles as they suddenly upped their game and started to play at the pace and standard that we all knew they were capable of. Loose balls were secured and driven forward, rucks were formed and held firm, passes were accurate and found their targets, runs were made, and support provide in the tackle. This change in tempo and playing spirit definitely unsettled Marple and they had to work really hard to keep Lymm out of the scoring zone. However, despite their best efforts the Eagles did not manage to get the ball down and the score remained the same up to the half time whistle. (27 – 0).

Half Time: Marple 27 – 0 Lymm Eagles

With captain Olly Brown providing a much needed pep talk from the sideline, and with Sully Sullivan now available to take up position at full back, the Eagles returned to the pitch for the restart in good spirits. Whatever advice he had provided obviously paid dividends as after only 5 minutes play, an excellent pass from scrum half Henders, was passed quickly through hands towards the wing where the forward drive was arrested. A rampaging Rick Halford arrived to rip the ball out of grasping Marple hands, and his long legs powered him through the remainder of the defence for a great try close to the posts. The trusty boot of Alan Reddecliff provided the extra points (27 – 7).

Unfortunately on a few minutes after the restart, stalwart lock, Jez Ure, finally had to leave the field with a hamstring injury which had been bothering him since the first half. Play continued for the next 15 minutes with both sides pretty evenly matched and neither giving any quarter. With about 60 minutes gametime played, Lymm conceded yet another penalty, this time right in front of the posts which allowed Marple to gain an easy 3 points (30 – 7). Not long afterwards, hooker Jim France, who until then had been having an excellent game, was forced to retire due to injury. With little option for a replacement, captain Olly Brown took it upon himself to put on his shirt and boots and take up his usual position in the front row, between regular props Dave Coon and George Harrison.

Even with Olly back on the pitch and all the replacements used, Lymm were struggling to crack the Marple defence and after a missed midfield tackle following a Marple lineout, their centre collected the pass to run in almost unopposed from 30m out for a converted try (37 – 7). Not downhearted, Lymm battled back up field and worked the ball out to Reddecliff who noticed Stu Norman lurking unmarked close to the opposite touchline. Alan launched one of his trademark huge crossfield kicks towards the corner for the speeding Stu to collect. Although the kick was accurate and well weighted, the very short depth of the scoring area meant that the ball missed its target. Nice shot but no cigar this time.

Play continued without much event for the next 5 minutes with both teams struggling for dominance. Eventually with about 5 minutes left on the clock, the ball was gathered by the Lymm pack towards the left touchline and driven forward. Henders spun the ball out to Reddecliff and right along the line out to a flying Sully moving in from full back. His pace and agility allowed him to round the last man to score close to the opposite corner from where the move originated. The conversion proved a bit too far for the extras. (37 – 12).

Both teams were now definitely flagging, but with only about 1 min or so left on the clock for a last ditch attempt to score from a combined 30m sprint (?) from the two props and one lock forward who faced only a couple of Marple backs between them and glory. Unfortunately, a spilled pass brought an end to their brave attempt and also the final whistle.

Full Time: Marple 37 – 12 Lymm Eagles

Another disappointing result for the Eagles, and an end to their Cup run for this season.  The Eagles have hit a rough patch of form at exactly the wrong time and it really will be necessary to get back to the grass roots way of playing which proved so successful earlier in the season. All credit to Marple for a good game from a strong team played in good spirit.  Good luck in the final. Thanks also to the League Officials who refereed the game very well and kept things moving along. It also gave the spectators the opportunity to moan about 3 officials and not just one.

Many good individual performances today but it was difficult to link it all into a satisfactory performance as a team. The Eagles can and definitely have, done better. For this scribe MOTM must go to veteran scrum half Martin Henderson, who played the full game today, hardly put a foot wrong, was always in the right place or never missed a target with his accurate passes. An excellent performance. Reserve MOTM is Olly Brown for dubiously deciding to take to the field despite carrying a significant injury from last week. What a great team player and Clubman/Idiot.

Next weekend, the Eagles meet Moore away in the next League Match with the title spot still within reach. This means that we will really have to turn up and play at our best.

Tries: Rick Halford (45), Liam Sullivan (75)

Conversions: Alan Reddecliff (45)

Team: 1) George Harrison 2) Jim France 3) David Coon (C) 4) Ben Stroud 5) Jez Ure 6) Adam Halford 7) Matt Grellier 8) Max Ure 9) Martin Henderson 10) Alan Reddecliff 11) Tallis Keeler 12) Rick Halford 13) Reece Forrest 14) Josh McKean 15) Liam Sullivan

Replacements: 16) Joe Rogers  17) Liam Sullivan 18) Olly Brown

Match Report: Pete & David Coon