Bowdon took to the field resplendent in their new kit thanks to sponsor Duncan Dickinson whose contempory catering company The Herb & Spice Garden will be tantalising the taste buds of the Vice Presidents on April the 16th.

Once again a significantly changed side from that selected earlier in the week saw ex captain and stalwart of the club Howard Forster on the bench alongside Adrian Lloyd and Dave Edmundson. Missing from action for various reasons were Du Toit, Brighton, Grimes, Bredenhann, O’Niel, Baama and Kershaw. Following last weeks victory it was imperative that coach Baama and his advisors filled the gaps effectively and continued his team’s improvement in form. One plus was the return of Chris Lamb for whom this season has been a struggle against injury and the long arm of Rugby Law. His performance was of the highest order never taking a step backwards and committing body and soul to the cause.

Tyledsley kicked the match off into a stiff breeze towards the Ponda Rosa where the 3rds were facing Northwich. Early exchanges saw scrum half and Captain Blackwell, recovered from last weeks illness, hungry for the ball and intent upon his team playing at a high tempo with an appetite for the game. Callum Baldwin, who has been playing some of his best rugby of the season in recent weeks, made good yardage carrying the ball well into and out of contact but took an early knock to his ankle which required prolonged treatment from the Physio, for whom it was to be another busy days work! The game was concentrated midfield and was fairly even. It took Bowdon stand off Bau to punch a whole showing guile, impudence and not inconsiderable power and pace as he broke from the Bowdon 10m cutting a swathe until thwarted short of the opposition line. With his backline compadres , Hechter, Setta, Gare and Max in close attendance an outside pass at some point may have been a better option as he bore down towards the try line. However the pace with which the support had arrived bode well.

Competent work by Phil Gare playing on his more accustom right wing led to the first try as the forwards drove hooker Jack Breen over the line. [5 – 0] Shortly after the restart prop Neal Collinge was invited to the sin bin for 10 minutes following a dangerous tackle. During this period Tyledsley made the most of their advantage applying pressure and creating the opportunity for their back row to skip round an exposed Bowdon tight head prop to even the scores. Despite this setback the Bowdon pack collectively and individually worked hard providing the platform for their menacing backline to threaten.

Following a further Bowdon attack and the blast of the referee’s whistle a couple of players engaged in a minor dispute over possession of the sacred match ball! A nudge prompted a more prolonged discussion between both squads resulting in a red card to one of each teams back row. Callum Baldwin duly left the field of play, 14 a side to the end then. With the Paddock devoid of two bodies cluttering the place up the arena opened up with more space temptingly encouraging both sides to run with the ball in hand. That renowned and much feared Bowdon Fijian Flair suddenly reappeared as Bau once again misled the opposition making fast yards in the middle of the pitch as Setta Kolinsau saw his opportunity. Striking as deadly as a Cobra he appeared on Bau’s left shoulder to take the pass and majestically stride over the line to score. [ 10 –5 ]

After the Tyldesley restart the home side with their tails up applied more pressure to the opposition 22m and when, in an attempt to clear their lines a lofted kick was swallowed with ease by Gare Tyldesley were in trouble. Gare committed the opposition, took a step inside to create an improved angle and then released the ball inside to his left. Passing through the hands of Hechter, Max and Setta it arrived with Rataluva on the left wing who powered over with ease to score his first Bowdon 1st XV try. The watching crowd politely applauded. [ 15 – 10 ] Half time.

The second half began with Bowdon kicking off, happy to be in front but questioning if all the missed conversion attempts would once again come back to haunt them and also wondering if, more importantly, they could keep a full complement of players on the park for the 40 minutes of play that remained. The answer to the second question was soon answered during some desperate defense when club captain Martin Gallagher “ belly flopped” over attacking player and ball under the Bowdon posts. 10 minutes Mr G ! A try to the revitalised opposition followed quickly and the conversion brought the scores closer together at 15 – 12. The Bowdon pack struggled manfully one man down tenaciously preventing a further score and drew a collective sigh of relief upon his return to the fray. With a full team on the park Blackwell and Setta prised open the Tyldesly right wing offering space and opportunity to Rataluva. He tore down the left wing like a rusty locomotive as support in the form of “safe hands” Gallagher arrived. The final inside scoring pass somewhat surprisingly eluded his “soft mitts” and fell tantalisingly to the ground with the momentum of a hammer on the moon!

Full of confidence Bowdon were in scoring mood. Setta provided yet more vision and insight to the “simple” game when moving off the wing he inter changed passes with fullback Max before returning to the wing and releasing the supporting Phil Gare who finished the move with clinical precision leaving the Blue & Whites in his wake. [ 20 – 12 ]

From the kick off Hechter, who was playing an excellent foil to the “Fancy Dans” that surrounded him ran a clever angle providing good ball for his forwards to recycle. Forster was brought into the game as the excellent Chris Lamb began to flag.

With little of the 80 minutes left but a considerable amount of injury time to play the match entered nail-biting territory. Tyldesley were fighting hard for a score and when this was achieved the conversion made it even more exciting with just one point in it. [20 – 19] Little by little the inevitable approached and following a poor unnecessary kick by man of the match Settariki Kolinsau, Tyledsley applied pressure mid field prompting a penalty offence from the Bowdon forwards. They took their chance converting the kick as their large and vocal support cheered the lead of 20 – 22.

The referee deemed time for the restart and as the ball fell from the sky Matt Davies, who had played a not inconsiderable part in the math so far, retrieved the ball for Bowdon. The clock ticked, the air near the scoreboard was an indelicate blue. Still Bowdon pressed, midfield 10m into the opposition half, pick and drive. The maestro known as Bennett with an “F” stroked his beard with a glint in his eye. Once again the whistle blew – Penalty Bowdon. Too far to kick, correction, can’t kick, too much to do too little time. Up stepped Captain Blackwell and, seizing the moment, took a quick tap penalty as confusion and desperation reigned in the Tylesdley ranks. He set Max on his way and the Tyldesley shirts parted like the Red Sea. A try, a win, a bonus point and a score of 25 – 22 to Bowdon.

Our friends in rugby from just off the A580 will in all probability feel a little aggrieved with the result but overall Bowdon were good for the win. Make no mistake though the return fixture which is next weekend will be tough and big support will be required along with the steely determination, self belief and resolve that is slowly but surely growing within the squad.

As the crowd and players returned to the clubhouse to engage in convivial banter the pitch maintenance squad of Lee – Roberts & Flanagan returned to preparing The Clay for Sunday’s U7 Cheshire Festival and the completion of their day’s work on behalf of both Senior & Junior Rugby at Bowdon RUFC. Top Gun’s gents.