Firsts gain confidence with win

From the kick off this was going to be a good hard game of rugby. Both teams were looking for a victory - Bowdon to ease any relegation worried and Glossop to do the double over the Clay Lane side. The opening 20 minutes had opportunities for both sides to open the scoring, but defences held firm. On 21 minutes It looked like the visitors were about to take the lead, after a couple of rucks 5 meters out Glossop spread the ball wide the full back looking like he was going to score out wide. As he crossed the try line he was hit by the juggernaut that was Mitch McGrath at full pelt! The Bowdon player forcing the full back into touch before he could put the ball down, a close call for the home side and rapturous cheers from the home support.

In fact Mitch was also the catalyst to the Opening Score. 5 minutes later showing his attacking prowess Mitch bundled his was forward down the middle of the park, eventually being brought down 5 meters short after picking the ball up on half way. Bowdon spread the ball left from the ruck, Ryan Getley crossing the line to score. A minute later James Carding added the extras giving a seven point advantage to Bowdon.

Two penalties from Glossop reduced the lead to a single point. With a minute to go in the half a ruck turn over in the middle of the park let Bowdon attack the Glossop line. The attacking B’ line included the front row getting in on the act - all playing their part in moving the ball out wide. Chris Oldham eventually off loading to James Carding, who then set Will Simmonds off and running! He outpaced the Visiting defence scoring out wide, giving Bowdon a 6 point half time lead.

The second half kicked off in a mirror image of the first, both teams having chances but not defences holding firm - at least for the first 10 minutes. Glossop drew first blood in the second half - after a lot of pressure on the forwards, several rucks drew in the Bowdon defence. This allowed the Glossop stand off to dance over the line reducing Bo’s lead to a single point after the conversion was missed.

As the midpoint of the half approach Darius was penalised for something in middle of a ruck what it was no one quite knows! This led to Darius having a break for 10 minutes and allowing Glossop to take the lead from the resulting penalty.

Just before Darrius came back on a cracking run from Will Simmonds brought Bowdon deep into the Glossop Half. After a quick ruck the ball was spread wide, the ball coming to Tom Gomulko who appeared as a winger. Tom pinned back his ears and set off for the try line, scoring out wide. This took Bowdon back in front - with a 3 point advantage. The last 4 minutes saw chances for both teams, Bowdon having a chance for the bonus point win and Glossop with a penalty attempt to draw level. With No further scoring It was the home side that cheered the final whistle.

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This was a hard fought victory for Bowdon, but a deserved one. There were several great performances - including Luke Brown, Mitch McGrath, James Carding and Willie Landman, but the Man of the Match award went to Tim Nicholson for a captains performance! The result should give Bowdon much needed confidence going forward to the end of the season. The next game for the firsts is in 2 weeks time - away to Douglas on the isle of Man. Next week sees the 4th team as the only home game entertaining Chorley 2’s in the cup - come down and show your support to the boys!