Thirds battle to brave defeat

3rd XV 5 v Ashton on Mersey 38

The scoreline did not do justice to the effort and commitment that the thirds showed, but unless they can utilise their possession more effectively they are going to be in for a very long hard season. The Thirds dominated the set piece comfortably winning their own ball and stealing much of the oppositions. The tight five worked hard,Fussell in particular made the opposition hooker's life uncomfortable all afternoon.

For long periods of the first half they were stuck in their own twenty two. But the defense was well organised and stand in No 10 Charles put in some decent clearance kicks to relieve the pressure. Apart from one piece of magic all Ashton's tries stemmed from defensive errors. That said Rabbits, Austin and Henderson were tireless in defense and Bearman produced an earth shattering bone crunching tackle to save a certain try. Injuries to the tireless Chapman and the hardworking Dilworth and Rabbitts meant some positional changes had to be made.

Preece put in a quality performance at scrum half and his apprentice Edge took over for the last twenty minutes and improves with every game. A sustained period of Buxton pressure went unrewarded after a series of scrum penalties eventually were cleared down field. Despite the game being lost early in the second half the Thirds continued to fight and to battle. Nichols and Jardin combined well and Jardin made a break up the centre and it took three to haul him down. Tom, playing out of position at open side was a human dynamo and when he was switched to centre almost broke out of his twenty two. The back three of Ritchie, Edge and Ford, worked well as a unit and were always looking to join the line. Packer came on in the second half to sharpen up the defensive edge. And the introduction of Hoodie provided a cutting edge out wide and proved himself to be a handful when ever he got the ball.

Buxton's persistence and spirit was rewarded after a series of rucks took them into the twenty two. With an overlap out wide Edgie backed himself and burst through the defenders to score a classic scrum halves try.

Training on Thurday at 7.00pm Be there! It is making a difference.

Next week away to Aldwinians in the cup. Let Simon F know asap if you are available.


Bearman, Fussell c, Austin, Henderson, Dilworth (Tom), Rabitts, Woodward, Chapman, Preece, Charles, Ritchie, Nichols, Jardin, Ford(Hoodie), Edge (Packer)

Apres Match

MOM - Fussell for his hooking apparently
FUOTD - Phil Preece for agreeing to go off and allowing Tom Edge to come on as scrumhalf (It was the only thing we could think of to get Phil!)