Thirds Denied in Epic Battle

Altrincham Kersal arrived late and with enough extras to film a biblical epic, but in the end this was more Thermopylae than Exodus, as Buxton with a mere one sub threatened the highflying promotion candidates with a shock defeat. When Phil Preece burrowed over after a classic dummy to bring Buxton with in four points with five minutes left on the clock the panic buttons were being pressed. As Buxton desperately tried to break out of their half Altrincham launched an attack. They were thwarted on the line, tried again on the blind side before swinging the ball open. The thirds ran out of defenders and Altrincham scored in the corner to make the game safe and to deny the thirds of a deserved result.

Playing with the conditions in the first half Altrincham made the most of their advantage and despite stiff resistance from the thirds were 19 –0 up at the break. They could have scored a fourth but for great defence by Bennison and Ritchie. Despite the score line Buxton were matching them at the set piece but Altrincham were quick on the counter. At times it was a fractious encounter. The match could perhaps be better described as going ten rounds, rather than two halves. Early in the first half a little altercation near the Buxton line was fuelled by the Altrincham call of “All in” and things threatened degenerate. Altrincham were being frustrated the paucity of their possession. Steve Gyte who was outstanding for 70minutes, Uprichard, and Fussell sorted out their opposite numbers and the pack began to drive Altrincham back, spoiling the quality of their possession. With Taylor and Charles causing problems in the line out Buxton were not short of possession. Support and recycling were much improved, Allen and Charles getting stuck in and Bosely making dents in the defence. As ever Dilworth acted like an extra back row and was in the thick of the action.

Buxton sustained a period of pressure early in the first half. Stratford punished Altrincham ill discipline with some raking touch finders and when Buxton were awarded a penalty within range,Tim “Johnny” Charles stepped up and slotted a difficult penalty. The points spurred Buxton on. They upped the work rate, with W Preece and Weston breaking the gain line they drove into the Altrincham twenty-two. Uprichard broke through a tackle and scenting glory backed himself for the line. He was held up short but the ball was recycled. The forwards piled over the Altrincham line but could not ground the ball. From the resulting five-metre scrum a controlled drive by the pack pushed the disintegrating Altrincham eight back and Charles picked up and scored. He converted his try. Buxton did not let up. McNicholas replacing Taylor stole lineout ball and Fussell latched onto the loose ball to tidy up. The pack rumbled up field. Dan Gyte crashed into defenders offloading to Bennison who made ground. Quick ball took Buxton to within five metres before the ball was knocked on. A massive scrum turned over possession, twice the thirds were thwarted but they continued to batter away. With forwards hanging off, Preece sold a dummy and darted through the gap to score. Charles failed with a difficult kick but the match was now in the balance at 19 –15. But Buxton could not find that extra gear and Altrincham snatched the try at the end that made the game safe. Disappointment at the result shows how far the thirds have travelled this season. It was a heroic effort. Certainly they need fear no one at home and if they can play with the same passion and commitment, should take the points next week.

Buxton 15 Altrincham 24
Buxton Thirds were :S Gyte (Allen 70m), Uprichard, Fussell, Taylor (McNicholas 40m), Allen (Taylor 70m), Dilworth, Bosely, Charles, Preece, Stratford, Ritchie, W Preece,Weston, D Gyte, Bennison