Bowdon Back to Winning Ways.

A wet and windy Clay Lane saw Bowdon back to winning ways with an emphatic 74 : 6 win over Marple. Bowdon Ran in an impressive 12 tries to keep alive their hopes for promotion from South Lancs and Cheshire Division 2 alive.

Playing into the wind in the first half Bowdon mastered the elements and tried to play wide expansive rugby from the kick off. This can be seen with all twelve tries scored by the backs. Although the glory boys could not have achieved this feet if it wasn’t for the great platform built by the forwards.

The first try was scored on 5 minutes with Kane Ditchfield scoring after a good run from Ben Sutherland. Impressive forward play was the backbone to the next Bowdon try on eight minutes - a series of rucks building pressure around the Marple 5 meter line before the ball was released to the backs, Mark Well scoring out wide on the left after some great handling. These two tries split by a Marple penalty. Soon after this Marple lost one of their players to a suspected broken leg - we wish him a speedy recovery. Marple then made it look close on 20 minutes scoring another penalty after Bowdon had strayed off-side in the middle of the park.

From then on Traffic was all one way with Bowdon scoring a further 5 tries before half time - with Ben Sutherland (2), Paddy Shaw scoring on his debut, and Phil Gare (2) the scorers. The pick of the bunch was the 6th try. From midfield Darrius broke through a few tackles and off loaded to Thiu whos quick hands sent the ball to Swets. He carried the ball, drawing the tackler and then he released Ben Sutherland on the Marple 22 to run in for his second try. Bowdon’s first half scoring was complete with 2 Conversions from Swets, kicking into a very strong wind.

The Second Half kicked off with the strong wind at the Bowdon backs. There was no let off for Marple with Bo’ on the attack from the restart. Mike Swetman scoring the first try 3 minutes in. running through the opposition to score a solo try. Kane Scored his second try two minutes later.

Ten minutes later JB took the ball down the middle and the Marple defence had no answer as he ran through or his first score for the day. The forwards kept the pressure on and it was only time before Bo’ crossed the whitewash. This time it was Mark Well who broke through the ailing defense and trotted in for his second of the day. The final try came from some Bowdon pressure down the right. Ten meters out Kane cross kicked with JB collecting the ball near the posts to go over for his second try.

With 10 minutes to go and Bo’ looking like they could score at any time - another bad looking Injury to a Marple player brought an early close to the game . Swets obviously had his kicking boots on in the second half kicking all 5 conversions.

Man of the Match could have been any of the Forwards, JB or Paddy Shaw – to date the Coaches are still arguing over this! From the side lines it was a great performance from all 18 players .