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25/10/09 - Longton - Home
Eccleshall hosted local rivals Longton at Baden Hall on a typical autumn day. A blustery wind blew straight down the pitch however the showers which threatened constantly never materialised. Eccleshall were expecting a tough challenge having made numerous squad changes due to injuries and absence and had more than one player playing out of position.
In what was expected to be a game of two halves, captain Amy Seabridge chose to play with the wind on winning the toss. Longton kicked long and Liz Halliday collected the kick and set up a ruck on the Eccleshall ten yard line. Sabrina McGill picked up from the base and seeing a gap on the blind side set off for the Longton half, finding no immediate opposition the charge was on. When the defence eventually arrived there was little that the Longton wing could do and a stiff hand off saw Sabrina entering the Longton 22 with only the full back to beat and half a pack breathing down her neck. Despite her best efforts the full back could only slow the now rampaging Mrs. McGill who crossed the line with two of the opposition hanging off her back. A superb try and a superb start to the game for Eccleshall, Sabrina was overheard panting that she'd 'never run as far' in her life, a situation that this reporter is sure that the coaching staff will be addressing at the next session.
The shocked Longton players were quick to rally and a period of stalemate ensued in the middle of the park although the visitors did look more threatening Eccleshall's defence stood firm for twenty minutes. Under constant pressure Eccleshall conceded a penalty on their 22, Longton took a quick tap and swiftly moved the ball to the winger who went over in the corner for an unconverted try.
The rest of the half saw more stalemate, the highlight being the fountain of blood from Amy Seabridge's nose having taken a knee to the face in a poorly timed tackle. The Eccleshall replacement deputised well and the half ended at 5-5.
Longton came out firing and their number ten used the wind advantage well to enable the visitors to camp in the Eccleshall half. Eccleshall lost their own line out on their 22 and the Longton centre made a beak through the Eccleshall line, a good tackle by Maedbh Westwood couldn't stop the try as the centre off loaded to her support and Longton scored under the posts. With the conversion putting Longton ahead it was obviously going to be a difficult last thirty minutes for the Eccleshall side. Determined to match their local rivals Eccleshall refused to take a backward step and forced their way out of trouble on more than one occasion but the good kicking game of the Longton fly half kept them on the back foot.
On venturing into the Longton half following a series of penalties Eccleshall found themselves inside the Longton 22 for the first time since going behind and the pack was determined to drive the play forward with crash balls of debutant fly half Sue Hawkridge the order of the day. As Eccleshall approached the Longton five yard line a punch was observed by the referee and Longton were reduced to 14. This incident however was not to prove as decisive as the Eccleshall players and supporters hoped and despite their best efforts the Longton ladies were able to continue to clear their lines. With five minutes to go a deep Longton kick failed to find touch and Eccleshall ran the ball back to the halfway line. A series of rucks with contributions from both forwards and backs saw Eccleshall enter the Longton 22. With the defence obviously stretched by the sustained Eccleshall pressure a quick pass from the base of the ruck saw Amy putting strong running Ruth Clewer into half a gap. This was all the Eccleshall new recruit required and some deft footwork saw her score under the posts, capping off a great day for the Eccleshall Player of the Match. Despite the pressure the conversion was made by Maedbh Westwood and the scores were level. Eccleshall played hard for the last ten minutes and Longton were lucky to survive without conceding points.
When the final whistle went the draw was a fair reflection of the efforts and abilities of both teams. A never say die performance by Eccleshall saw what was a mix and match team step up to the plate and prove that they have the skill, courage and ability to hold their own with any team in this league.
Eccleshall now look forward to the road trip to Witney, a new team to the club but one whom they feel familiar having watched them struggle through Austin Healey's big Tackle last season.