It’s Déjà Vu All Over Again!

Bowdon kicked off the New Year with a hard fought 36 : 19 victory over Moore. With the incessant rain of the last few days taking a well earned rest and some last minute changes , Big Rick stepping up and Andre starting with Evaldas a late arrival, Bo took to the field knowing this was going to be a tough game.

From the Kick off, like the game earlier on in the season, Moore took the game to Bowdon. On 3 minutes, after sloppy defending Moore broke through the Bo lines and scored a converted try. From the touchline it looked like the home side were still in the festive mood and were looking to give away some late Christmas presents. This seemed to switch on minds and concentration on the game in hand was resumed.

The first half was mainly an attrition affair with both sets of forwards playing a ruck and counter rucking game. When the ball did come out some ground was made, only to be lost through poor handling and dropped balls. The ref was also very sharp on off side and the whistle was frequently heard with both sides being penalised.

Bowdon Finaly made it onto the Score sheet on the half hour. A Swets Break from our 22 took the ball to half way - The ball was then passed to Mark Wells who bullied over a couple of Moore defenders on his was scoring near the posts, Jack Rees converting to tie the score.
Bo’ took the lead with a couple of minutes left in the half. From a scrum 5 meters out the Moore centre stepped off side in front of the posts giving Jack an easy pop at posts to give the home side a 3 point lead at half time.

The Most notable even of the entire half was a Fred break down the left wing, beating his opposite number for pace, with only the full back to beat - should he chip, go outside and hand off, or cut inside! Knowing Fred that was too many choices! So he decided to through the ball in the air and stumble into the full back! I’m sure it made sense to him! From that point all the other Bowdon players gave a sigh of relief - there could only be one ‘Dick of the Day’!

The second half kicked off with play in the same vane as the first - mostly a hard fought forward battle with some good ground being made when the ball came out. Ten minutes in and Swets had had enough. From the half way line he took the ball and bounced his opposite number, then for good measure he ran through a couple of other would be tacklers before crossing the whitewash. Jack then added the conversion to give Bowdon a ten point lead.

Five minutes later and some great Phase play from the forwards tied in several Moore Players. The ball was quickly released to the backs and good handling allowed Swets to release Fred Who thankfully had only one decision to make to fun for the line, scoring out wide on the left for an unconverted try.

A few minutes later and it Gabs on the other wing that got in on the act. From a scrum around the Moore 10 meter line, Andre Hechter picked up at No 8 and took the ball on, running though some tackles. He then popped to Swets who carried the ball straight up the field into the 22, popping to Neil Bright who dashed for the line - only to be caught 5 meters from the line. He in turn popped to Gabs who crossed the line for the try sealing the bonus point, with Jack adding the extras.

It looked like it was now going to be all one way traffic. But Moore Stuck to their task and stuck to their game plan. This paid off when a sloppy pass midway between Bowdon’s 22 and 10 meter lines was intercepted by the centre who released their winger to score out wide on 65 minutes. Moore now sensed they could get back into the game. With 8 minutes to go their big 2nd row picked up the ball just outside of their 22 and he went for a run - eventually being caught on the Bowdon 22 - but not before he offloaded the ball releasing a teammate so score a converted try. This reduced Moore’s deficit to 10 points.

Moore had the bit between their teeth now and it looked like a close finish similar to the game earlier on in the season. Thankfully the try only spurred Bowdon back into action.

The final score was arguably the best of the day. From a midfield kick down the right touch line Mark Wells chased the ball, harrying the Moore winger into kneeing the ball into touch. A bit of Handbags then ensued as the Moore Player took exception to Mark picking up the ball cleanly. The ref awarded Bo’ the penalty instead of the line out. Swets Kicked into the corner and from the Lineout the Forwards showed what they could do. Catching the ball cleanly and the resultant maul walked the ball to 3 meters out. Thiu rolled for the line but was stopped a yard short. 2 quick pick and goes opened some space for Bobby Gould who dived over the line, several other forwards hanging onto his shirt tail. The final points were added by Jack Rees converting the try.

Man of the Match - or Rather Men of the Match Sean Convey and Big Sean. As for Dick of the Day - No one came close to Fiji Fred. Thanks must go to Jack Rees who played his final game for Bowdon before moving down south, Cheers Jack - we wish you well and remember pop in when your back up this way!