It’s all About the Win!

With only five games of the league season left to go Bowdon made the long trip to face Oswestry, who will also be there opponents in the Cheshire Bowl final in a months’ time. Unlike their game earlier on in the season this would prove to be a hard fought game with the home team much improved.

Early Bowdon pressure was thwarted by the resolute Owsestry defence, making their own breaks and testing Bo’s defence. In fact the home side showed more cohesion as a team, seen time and again from their attacking mauls from several lineouts. They were unlucky not to open the scoring from a maul charging the Bowdon line after a lineout on the 22. Only being repelled inches from the line by the strong Bowdon defence.

Midway through the first half Bowdon put the first points on the score board. From a ruck on halfway Bowdon attacked down the left the ball passing though backs and forwards. Big Sean looking good as an outside Centre, would he sell a dummy, steam roller the defender or pass? The fear in his eyes told all - it looked like he would have a nose bleed so far from his normal position! Sense prevailed and he flashed the ball to Phil Gare who made a dash for the line only to get caught 10 meters out. From quick ruck ball Bowdon spun the ball left, Andre drawing the last man to leave Will Simmonds to run in unopposed, scoring to the right of the posts for an unconverted try. The less said about the conversion attempt the better!

Three minutes latter Oswestey Scored their first points on the day with a penalty after Bowdon had failed to release the ball in a tackle in front of their own posts. From the re-start Bowdon came at the home side. With a ruck on the home side’s 10 meter line the ball broke to Danny Marshall. The prop stretched his legs and ran through the home defence, finally drawing the full back to release the supporting No. 8 Neil Bright to score at the posts. Swets converting to give a 12 points to 3 lead to the visitors.

Oswestry came back at Bowdon, attacking the Bowdon line and crossing out wide for an unconverted try out on their left. On 32 minutes Bo’ scored the final points of the half. Bo’ turned over the ball from an Oswestry ruck near half way, The ball breaking to Ryan Getley who powered through the heart of the Os’ defence, releasing fly half Paddy Shaw to break though the last line of the home defence to cross the whitewash , Swets again converting.

The victory, never mind with a bonus point wasn’t in the bag! Bo’ would need to improve their team game to ensure they kept their season on track. Man for man Bowdon looked to have the better of their opponents, but as a team Oswestry looked to be firing on far more cylinders than Bowdon!

The second half was a hard fought attritional battle with the ref calling both captains over for a quick chat on several occasions. At one point it looked like there were more handbags on the pitch than in the stand! Luckily for both teams all 30 players stayed on the park.

Bowdon were chucking everything at the Oswestry defence which at times was creaking but somehow remained solid. 25 minutes in and sustained forward pressure resulted in a couple of quick penalties for Bowdon on the home teams 5 meter line wide on the right. Great defence looked to have snuffed out Bo’s attempt to score when from another quick penalty, Luke Brown looked to have squirreled over only for the ref to be on the wrong side of the ruck to see this. The ball came back and Bo’ re-set and drove again. This time the Ref gave the try as Luke hit the line with the ball. Swets coming up short with the kick for the extras

The last points for Bo’ came from a turnover, the Oswestry winger, attacking down their left was caught on half way, quick Bowdon defence turned the ball over and moved the ball quickly out left. The ball found its way to Swets who scored wide on the left for an unconverted try.

Bo’s Team play had improved in the second half, and they were unlucky not to score more. Paul Mosley had a cracking run only to be tackled 10 meters short. Similarly Johnny Blackwell, playing at full back, had a 50 meter run through the middle of the Oswestry team cut short by some great cover tackling. But the last points of the game were scored by Oswestey. A fast attack let loose the left winger who crossed the line out wide, despite some close attention from Darius. The ref adjudged the tackle to be high and awarded a penalty try, leaving an easy conversion with the final kick.

Man of the match was given to Paddy Shaw for marshalling the troops, and quick thinking putting Bo’ on the attack time and time again. The bonus point victory keeps Bo’ on track for a successful season, although the coming weeks will need to see improvements if the team are to reach a promotion place by the end of the season. Next week sees Port Sunlight visit the Clay - again another bonus point victory is needed for the home side!