AK Take the spoils in an eventful game at Stelfox AV.

In a game that will be remembered for many things - a cohesive Kersal team deserved the victory but wouldn’t have won over any of the neutrals - if any were in the large vociferous crowd. With Pre-match entertainment of the Under 7’s Showing that the future is bright for both clubs a guard of honour greeted both sets of players as they jogged onto the park.

A strong Bowdon team were hoping to reverse their fortunes from the earlier encounter at the Clay, but Stelfox Av would not prove to be a happy hunting ground. In saying that, some scintillating rugby was played by both teams, a great advert for grass roots rugby.

The opening points were scored by the Kersal forwards - Bowdon indiscipline resulted in a penalty for the hosts who kicked to touch only 10 meters out. A good lineout take and the well-coordinated AK forwards trundled towards and over the line, giving a 5 point lead with ony 4 minutes on the clock. This was extended to 8 points with a penalty in front of the posts 5 minutes later.

Bo were fighting there corners, and in the main, were giving as good as they got! The main battles were in the middle of the park. The Dangerous Bowdon backs were making good ground when they were given the chance with a bit of space. This was shown on 17 minutes when Will Simmonds went on a fantastic run, showing a clean pair of heels to several Kersal players and running a full 50 meters. This scintillating run was only cut short by a cynical body check from the full back after the ball was chipped over his head with Will in full flight.

Two minutes later and Bo were on the score board. From a lineout 5 meters wide the ball was taken at the front. Three or four rucks latter by the forwards keeping the ball close in drew AK in tight. The ball was then released wide, a cut out pass in the midfield from Swets to Simmonds saw the latter skin his opposite man and score wide on the right giving Bo a well-deserved try.

Kersals 8 point lead was restored on 25 minutes when again their well drilled forwards drove over from a ruck close to the Bowdon line. The forwards play from Kersal showed that although Man to Man they were no better than Bowdon as a team they showed what training as a full team can do.

The main talking point of the first half came just after the half hour. From a ruck in the middle of the park Bowdon shifted the ball out wide. With the ball well on its way to the wings the lanky AK No 4 Richardson took out Swets off the ball with a vicious blow the head,, leaving Bo’s inside centre on his back and not moving! After several minutes of treatment Swets did get up and walk off the pitch under his own stream. Much to the shock of the away support the ref only showed a yellow. The only thought is that the ref didn’t have a clear view of the incident as he followed the ball wide!
It was a mark of the Bowdon team as discipline held throughout the game. For our hosts the same could not be said! With several fists flying noticeably from the Open side prop and the flankers - if anything they are masters at gamesmanship ensuring they were on the ref’s blindside before having a swing at whoever was close in a Bowdon shirt!

The final score of the half went to AK with a third converted try giving then a 20 point to 5 lead.

The second half was played as the same frenetic pace as the first. Kersal scored out wide five minutes into the half. It was a full 20 minutes before the next score. With the game becoming more open, both sides had chances to put more points on the board.

It was Bowdon who did score with arguably the best try of the day! Setting off from well inside the Bo’ half, Will Simmonds and Paul Mosley Punched holes deep into Kersal territory , before Mosley was caught by the cover defence, from the quick ruck Neil Bright set off drawing the final defender before offloading in the Tackle to Will Simmonds who finished off scoring between the posts. Paddy Shaw taking up the kicking duties and adding the 2 extra points.

Bowdon had chances to add to their score before the refs whistle only to be stopped by some good AK cover tackling. The final points were for the home side - adding 12 points - the final try a good counter from their own 22 after a promising Bo attack was snuffed out.

For Bowdon a good performance with great discipline and heart. Injuries to Swets, Tom Gomulko and Captain Tim Nicholson will be a worry going into the last 5 games of the season. Thanks must go to the great Bowdon support. Hopefully we will see the same at home next week as we entertain Liverpool St Helens.