With the photo’s done the U12’s cheered the teams onto the field for the start of the game Bowdon’s new 10 Connor Armstrong kicking into the strong wind towards the clubhouse. Early exchanges saw Bowdon contesting well at the set scrum and driving hard into the loose. The backs looked sharp and competent with Armstrong providing good ball. Full back Oscar Ryan–Clark was tested but dealt with all that was asked of him with ease. Ashton’s forwards pressed hard where they could and with the wind at their backs threatened causing Bowdon enough trouble to force a growing penalty against count.

On ten minutes Captain Blackwell improvised an overhead pass that lead to Bowdon rampaging down the right. Good support work from the backs, in particular Setta, and then number eight Grimes, at the ruck that formed on the Ashton 10m line, was followed by a series of quick, purpose full and powerful drives into the heart of the Ashton defensive walls which were completed as Blackwell dove over the line in front of the posts.[ 7 – 0 ]

A determined Mersey side responded positively and forced a number of penalty opportunities unfortunately all to no avail. The game became a scrappy affair with scrums not steady and a number of injuries disrupting the flow and rhythm of both sides. With 22 minutes played Armstrong impudently chipped over the Ashton offensive backline and as centre Stephane collected the ball he chose his line with aplomb. Dissecting the opposition in 5 strides he released a pass to his wing Gare who raced away in true Hussain Bolt fashion to increase the Bowdon lead. [ 12 – 0 ]

Bowdon’s hold on the game increased and despite the loss of veteran prop Nick Buckley to a calf injury they produced the better and more enterprising plays for the remainder of the half.

The second half did not produce the spectacle that the crowd had hoped for. With uncontested scrums a plethora of injury stoppages most of the offensive play was from Ashton who refused to give up the cause and on a different day may have caused damage as their missed penalty attempts at goal grew steadily.

With Armstrong kicking with assurance a penalty to Bowdon increased their lead to 15 – 0 and with their defence holding firm the last 10 minutes saw Bowdon up the pace and attack more efficiently.

The game was interesting but not the best but perhaps the cob webs have now been blown away for both teams and better performances will follow.

A good win for Bowdon after a long hard pre season and a great day out for the U12’s who did their ball boy/girl duties with eager enthusiasim.

Man of the match was without doubt Bowdon’s 10 Connor Armstrong.

Next week and it is off to Burrows Hill to face Winnington Park.

Players Performance – 10 max.

Collinge 5 Breen 4 Buckley 5 Davis 7 Gallagher 5 Landman 6 Baldwin 8 Grimes 7 Blackwell 6

Armstrong 8 Garr 6 Stephane 7 Seta 6 Joe 6 Ryan 6 Stephen 5 Lamb 6 Fred n/a