Moments of Brilliance and Madness!

The sun was shining as the firsts ran onto an immaculate playing surface. A light breeze blowing down the park gave the perfect conditions for the match with Sefton. Spirits and hopes were high as the ref blew for the start of the game. From the kick off it was clear to see the visitors came to get their season back on track after a loss last week at home to Douglas. Their forwards were playing with far greater intensity than Bowdon. In fact it looked like Bo’ were still in training rather than Playing in a league game! On five minutes almost continuous Sefton pressure was too much, from a Scrum on the 5 meter line The Sefton open side flanker dived over for an unconverted try.

Both Coach Swets and Captain Stuart Lindsay had their work cut out to motivate the forwards. Possibly a few choice words were spoken! Eventually it the forwards began to fire on most cylinders!! Pushing Sefton back, and getting some ball for the backs to work with. On 13 minutes a penalty 30 meters out gave Swets a chance to put Bo’s first points on the board, unfortunately pulling his kick. Two minutes latter Bowdon shows what they can do with quality ball, both forwards and backs combining with the ball swiftly moving out wide and into Jonny Thomas’s hands. The full back motoring over the line then moving nearer the posts befor putting the ball down. This gave Swets an easier crack at the extra 2 points, and giving Bo’ the lead.

For the rest of the half most of the play was in the middle of the park, with both teams having chances but the defence on both holding firm. One point of concern was the scrums with the ref having to talk at times to both, with 4 minutes to go in the half, after another stern talking to the ref lost patience with the front row and carded Mark Shiel. The home side now playing with 14 for the next 10 minutes. Sefton took full advantage in the dying seconds, driving over a maul out wide on the left for their second unconverted try. The missed conversion being the last action of the half.

The Home side had to up the tempo and the intensity of their play if they wanted to come away with a win - never mind a bonus point! The start of the second half seemed to show an improvement in the home side. Bowdon drawing level thanks to Swets’ boot within a few minutes of the re-start. Two minutes latter a kick adown field from Jonny Thomas was followed up by Alex Hartley who kicked ahead and chased the ball, getting there in front of the Sefton defence to drop on the ball and score. Swets Kicking the conversion to give Bowdon a seven point advantage.
The backs were now motoring, causing Sefton all sorts of problems. Several saving tackles looking to be a bit high, although the ref disagreed with this. Three minutes after Bo’s score the backs were again moving forwards with some menace. The ball was slickly moving, when out of the blue a Sefton centre burst through intercepting the ball in midfield and running half the length of the park to score between the posts, drawing the visitor’s level.

Bowdon were back in front 6 minutes later with another Swets penalty. Just after the midway point of the half TC, now playing as a winger, was put in by Mitch McGrath out wide on the Left. The try was after some great work from both forwards and back. In full flow the backs were looking good especially Paul Mosely who came close to scoring on several occasions. The forwards doing their bit securing clean quick ball for the backs to work their magic from.

Sefton were still dangerous in attack, with 12 minutes to go Bo’ were on their own 5 meter line and pinched the ball from Sefton. The ball moved swiftly along the back line, with quick hands and quick movement almost breaking though the visitor’s line. One quick flick out the back of the hands failed to reach its intended recipient, giving Sefton a chance to break through, only for the home cover defence to snuff out the potential attack.

With 9 minutes to go it was Sefton who were reduced to 14 men after some jiggery pokery when defending on their 5 meter line. Bowdon were now pressing for the all important 4th try. With seconds to spare Dan Brown turned the ball over in midfield and set off on a run through the visitor’s midfield, making some 40 yards before setting Neil Bright loose to score near the posts. Swets missing the conversion in the final act of the game.

Over all a good and deserved victory, with moments of brilliance from both backs and forwards. This is tempered by a few moments of Madness. As the saying goes we need to secure the win before going for the bonus! Man of the match was Paul Mosely, Dick of the Day - Alex Hartley for a couple of first half dropped balls! Overall another cracking weekend for all teams playing with a clean sweep of victories! Special mention to the 3’s who had a cricket score against Littleborough 3’s. Next Week the First are away to West Park St Helens.