In a case of déjà vu Bo’ travelled to Dukinfield for their first competitive game of the season in the Cheshire Bowl Quarter Finals. This was a re-run of the teams meeting last year with Bowdon looking to keep the silverware at Clay Lane having won the bowl last season.

Bowdon kicked off into a stiff wind, this held the ball in the air allowing Tom Gomulko to gather the ball then dash forward penetrating the Dukinfield 22. From the ensuing ruck the ball was worked back to John Blackwell who darted forward, further Bowdon pressure on the home defence allowed Ben Sutherland to cross the try line within the first minute. Swets trusty boot adding the conversion.

Within the first 10 minutes the home side had drawn level, from a lineout 7 meters out from the Bowdon line Dukinfield drove the ball in field before scoring a converted try. The home side were unlucky not to go in front, their right winger gathering the ball then making a dash for the line only to have one foot hit the touch line before he scored the try. Eagle eyed Dave Hill spotting the boot in touch.

With quarter of an hour gone, Bo’ turned the ball over from a home ruck, on their ’22, forward pressure from the Clay faithful put ‘field on the back foot. The ball broke to Tom Gomulko who ran in from 10 meters out. Dukinfield hit back 7 minutes later, from a poor Bowdon Scrum the home side kicked through a kind bounce allowed them to touch down to even up the score.

Bowdon were beginning to find their rhythm, the backs in full flight were a delight to watch. On 27 minutes from a line out quick ball went though the backs, Jonny Thomas made several yards before drawing the last defender, putting Alex Hartley in for his first try. Swets adding the conversion to extend Bo’s lead. Straight from the kick off Bowdon were on the attack, first Sam Pacey, then Tom Golulko ran the ball back up the middle, both making big yards, before the ball was released to the backs. Again the ball moved quickly to the wing where Alex Hartley again ran in for his second try score, this time unconverted. This was the last points scored in the half, Bowdon leading 24 points to 12.

The second half opened with Bowdon on the front foot. Three minutes in from a 5 meter lineout Bowdon safely took the ball then a number of forward drives edged the ball in field and creeping towards the line. Eventually Brighty drove over extending Bowdon’s lead, Swets adding 2 more points. The game at times was scrappy, But Dukinfield were never threatening to break through the Bowdon defence. Further points were added 10 minutes later when, from a 5 meter scrum John Blackwell picked up and drove over the line for a converted try.

The final points came with 8 minutes to go. From a lineout 7 meters out from their own line Dukinfield threw in, only for Dan Brown to take the ball then dash over their line to score, again Swetman adding the extras. The game then deteriorated in to a bit of a brawl for the final few minutes. Bowdon giving penalties away, but Dukinfield could not score.

Final score Dukinfield 12 : 45 Bowdon.

For the Clay lane side there were some great moments, several good competitive debuts and some good performances from returning players. There were also several areas that need improving in the coming weeks. For head coach Swets this was a great start with some food for thought!

Bowdon now progress to the semi-finals of the Bowl and they now look forward to the league season starting next week with an away game to Ruskin Park. Their first home game is on the 13th of September against Sefton.