Bowdon’s Bubble Lanced by the Medics!

A sizeable crowd turned up at the Clay to watch the top of the Table Clash as Bo’ took on the Manchester Medics. Ok so most were down for the Hinesy testimonial where a Hinsey Select Xv (the Galactico’s ) took on the Thirds in an hard fought and entertaining game, celebrating Andy’s 50th and over 30 years as a regular 1st XV player for Bowdon. In fact when the Medics turned up they all could have passed for offspring of the Legendary Bowdon Hooker - in age if not looks (and size!) It was great to see so many of the Players and Wags staying on after the testimonial to watch the first team - Possibly something to do with the Bar being open and the Latte Machine back to full working order! I believe the rumours that the club received complaints from The Railway, Hale Bar and Grill and Costas about low taking for a Saturday afternoon are unfounded!

The Medics themselves were not short on support - with their second team having a free weekend. They kept the small band of Bowdon supporters on the far side amused with their witty banter fuelled with the occasional beverage.

The conditions were perfect for a great game of Rugby - not much wind, not too bright, and a perfect pitch. On reflection the conditions were more suitable to the youthful Medics than Bowdon, hindsight being as it is maybe we should have all trudged up to the ponderosa!

The game itself was a high tempo game played in great spirits from the kick off by both teams, with no quarter given or taken. On 15 minutes a re-occurrence of a knock suffered last week for Luke Brown saw Bo’ make an early change with Calum Barrett taking his place, Luke not being able to take any further part in the game. On 20 minutes the visitors scored their first try out wide on the left, after some good handling, to take a 5 - 0 lead. On 25 minutes Andre Limped off with what looked like another game ending injury, but in true Bo’ spirit he returned 6 minutes later. The fast physical nature of the game didn’t abate - with good defence on both sides - but with the medics looking sharper in attack. On 37 minutes the visitors further extending their lead with a well worked converted try.

The second half was just as frenetic as the first with the Medics fast paced game putting Bowdon on the back foot for most of the half. On 47 minutes Craig Mason, playing his first game for the 1st XV suffered a broken nose - joining Luke on the sideline for the rest of the game. Within a minute the Medics scored with another converted try with their number 8 diving over just left of the posts. Chris Oldham then replaced Big Rick on 52 minutes; Bowdon’s Scrum was now under great pressure and at times looked like it was in full reverse! Two minutes latter Big Rick was back on with Ryan Getley coming off with a leg knock! The Bowdon side line now looking like Steve Irwin’s back yard with the number of Crocks!

Although down Bowdon were not out, with Phil Gare and Ben Sutherland both making good yardage when the ball did get out to them. Bowdon’s main problem was the ball they did get was more than often on the back foot. The normally reliable Swets, although still breaking tackles, was not making the big yardage we had been used to in the previous games mainly due to some great cover tackling by the youthful Medics.

The final points were scored midway through the half when the Medics scored near the posts for a converted try - giving them the bonus point win they needed to leapfrog Bowdon to the top of the league on points difference. Bowdon fought to the end - playing the last 10 minutes a man down after Harry Booth was sin binned for tap dancing on the Medics Flanker who was stopping the ball coming back from a good attacking ruck on their 5 meter line. The Ref had actually blown for the Bo’ Penalty, but Boothy, like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly kept tapping away - or rather giving it some shoe! Penalty reversed and 10 minutes to think about things for Harry, the puppy dog eyes and pleads of innocence were lost on the Ref who had a great game! This gave the Medics supporters some new material to should from the side line in support of their team, and keep the home support amused!

On the day Bowdon can have no complaints, being beaten by the better Team. Man of the Match for Bowdon was the ever industrious Chris Hares at Scrum Half, who just to show it wasn't our day, was trounced in the Boatrace by the Medics Man of the Match!

On a final note! The mark of a good team - is not how we act in Victory - But how we React to Defeat! - Another big game next week away to Liverpool Collegiate. C’mon Bo’