Bowdon 1st XV 21 – 19 Oswestry 1st XV 20110409

Another difficult week for selection with once again injuries and unavailability’s taking its toll and relegation threatened Bowdon set off to Shropshire.
The game kicked off under a blazing sun in pleasant surroundings and play was promising. Despite being under pressure in the set scrum and a certain lack of accuracy when throwing into the line out from hooker Breen Bowdon managed to maintain most of the positive possession. Good work from the back row, in particular injury carrying Willie Landman, forced the opposition into some early handling errors thus disturbing the bottom of the tables team’s confidence. Under pressure in midfield it wasn’t long before Oswestry succumbed to the guile and dancing feet of Setta in tandem with the speed of Bau as the stand off supported well after starting the move to cross the line on 22 minutes. The conversion was made by fullback and coach Baama to give a 0 – 7 lead.
Bowdon doggedly continued their work as the forwards rucked and mauled around the park keeping Oswestry in their own half of the field and under pressure. On 39 minutes as the backs took contact whilst crossing the Os 10m line fast hands and some quick thinking by Setta as the move appeared to stall opened space for Tieu Rataluva to break down the left for the second try. After some considerable injury time the half time whistle sounded and Bowdon turned around in front. 0 – 12
The second period began with Bowdon on top but a man down whilst Bau spent time in the sin bin. After 9 minutes a loose kick to the Os backs enabled their right wing to show his pace as he skipped a tackle and left Bowdon standing still as he raced to the line. [7 – 12] Their tails up Oswestry had their best period of the match as their forwards provided a platform from which to attack with pace down the Bowdon left. This plan was fruitful as once again a slipped tackle provided the opportunity to score, this time under the posts as they took the lead 14 – 12 only 4 minutes later. The faithful of Os were ecstatic!
Captain Blackwell had a word and began to move his pack with more pace and purpose, which immediately provided a penalty shot for Fred Baama and Bowdon were ahead again. 14 – 15 Within minutes Os had replied as they showed excellent skills driving midfield before off loading left to release Tyler to score near the corner. 19 – 15 and yet another nail biting contest the Bowdon faithful were enduring.
However this Bowdon team full a mixture of youth and experience combined with a crest on their heart were not to be beaten today. To far had they come and ever conscious of the league situation they pressed on and on. As Coach Baama slotted a penalty for killing the ball from under the posts to make the deficit a solitary point we began to believe. With plenty of injury time to play a further penalty on 40 minutes took the game away from Oswestry despite theirs and the home crowds best efforts. [ 19 – 21 ] Bowdon travelled home all smiles following a beer a meal and a raffle win.
As the sunset and we chomped on the Quality Street driving home …we mused…….yes it had been a quality day!