A Win is a Win!

Clay lane welcomed Douglas under perfect conditions for rugby on Saturday, with both teams loosing the week before this was a chance to get back on track for whoever came out on top. Both teams were suffering from injuries to key players so it was going to be an interesting afternoon.

From the kick off it was clear to see that both teams were misfiring - and it looked that mistakes would prove to be the main difference. From the stuttering start Douglas were the first to capitalise on a Bowdon mistake. From a kick out of the home side’s 22 - the mistake of not chasing this up sent the visitors on the attack. Eventually the ball was put out on the 5 meter line for an attacking line out. A simple catch and drive put the first points on the board, the successful kick putting Douglas seven points up with quarter of an hour gone.

Bo’ eventually put point on the board just after the half hour mark. Some sustained pressure saw Dan Brown going close, from the resulting ruck the ball was passed out the backs. Kenji King (on debut) picked up and ran, again caught just short. From the ensuing ruck the ball came to Swets who barged over 5 meters from the touch line, breaking a couple of tackles on his way over the try line.

This was the lasts point scored on what both teams would probably look back on a half to forget!

The second half kicked off and carried on where the first left off, with mistakes from both teams overshadowing the moments of good play that both are capable of. 6 minutes in and a simple crash ball from the Douglas outside centre saw poor home tackling lead to the centre almost strolling over the white wash near the posts giving the visitors another seven points.

Ten minutes later Bowdon scored their own converted try. Douglas were penalised for not staying on their feet at a ruck 7 meters out. A quick tap from Swets caught the visitors napping, although he was stopped before crossing the line he popped to Luke Brown who scored between the posts, Swets adding the conversion.

With ten minutes to go, a scrum twenty meters on the left saw Andre Hechter playing at No 8 pick up and drive forward, passing to Swets who bulldozed his way towards the line. Although he was tackled just before the line his momentum took him over scoring to put the home side in front. Stepping up to add the extra two points himself, he sent the ball through the middle of the uprights giving Bowdon a five point lead.

The rest of the game was played out with both teams pressurising the goal lines, but the last lines of defence on both sides held firm. For the home side Mitch McGrath looked dangerous throughout the game, making big yardage with his carried and also big hits when required. When the ref Blew for full time Douglas were pressurising the home try line, the cheers of relief from the players were loud and long.

Man of the Match for Bowdon was Mitch McGrath, for his blustering running that caused problems to Douglas all day. Dick of the day went to Dan Brown for catching a ball and charging at the visitors, pity the ball was only being kicked off the pitch! As they say a win is a win, and to win ugly when the team is struggling for form can only be a good thing! The next few weeks see Bowdon on the road to Winnington Park then Anselmians, this is the start of a tough month of fixtures.