Tarleton were first to score their forwards sucking in the Bowdon defence as they worked a series of close rucks in the away teams 22 before finally spinning it out wide for the winger to go over in the corner.

Bowdon hit back with a try of their own coming after pressure on the Tarleton midfield led to a penalty. Fly half George Smith kicked to the corner and the forwards duly converted with a catch and drive with Hooker Sean Hughes breaking from the back and putting in a powerful leg drive to cross the line to even the scores. Another penalty for offside gave Bowdon the lead as Will Batterbury split the posts with his kick. 5 – 8.

With the conditions getting worse Bowdon camped in the Tarleton 22 and midway through the half the referee was called on to make a tough decision as Bowdon drove over the line. Despite claims of a score the referee saw it differently and indicated that second row Tom Gomulko’s effort was held up. He did however award a penalty which was converted to open extend the Bowdon lead. 5 - 11

Again Bowdon pressed to contain Tarleton in their half and when an eventual clearance kick failed to put much distance between the Bowdon pack and the try line the forwards took their opportunity with a series of well works drives around the fringes of the ruck eventually leading to Prop Craig Anthony crashing over for a converted try on the half time whistle. 5 – 18.

The next 30 minutes turned into an arm wrestle with both sides struggling to get any fluidity on the play. With seven minutes left Tarleton’s hopes where raised when they scored with what was arguably the best move of the day. A quick tap penalty deep in their own half caught the Bowdon defence on the back foot for the first time in the match and a sweeping move up the field eventually led to a score in the corner. With the excellent conversion taken it brought Tarleton into touching distance at 12 – 18 despite Bowdon having dominated both possession and field position. The revival was short lived however as the visitors hit back immediately with a converted try of their own. Centre Jamie Anthony read the play and pounced for the intercept. A quick off loaded to his centre partner Liam Connolly who drove deep into the Tarleton 22 before himself offloading to supporting flanker Tom Gomulko who completed the move to score. 12 – 25.

Frustratingly Bowdon were denied a late bonus point when the referee was unsighted on a swift Bowdon break as two of the Bowdon colts combined. Full back Will Nicholson completing a solid performance with a lovely half break and kick down field for Harry Briscoe to turn the Tarleton defence and race for the ball as it settled in the in-goal area. Despite the young winger being at least a half yard in front of the cover the referee was justifiably unable to keep up and being unsighted ruled that the try had not been scored. A shame for the young winger on his first team debut.

All in all a good win and a solid performance in very difficult conditions.

Next week a top of the table clash against near neighbours Altrincham Kersal.