Bowdon 2nd XV 24 - Didsbury Toc H 2nd XV 18

This week (for no reason) I offer up boxing-themed player ratings for the Bowdon squad.

1) Chris Fletcher: Fletch was welcomed back to the ring after his foray up a weight division with the first XV. Like Tyson Fury, we have waited a long time for the return of our heavyweight champ, and he didn’t disappoint. Maybe needs to do a bit more road work this week, and eat a little less uncastrated wild boar. 8/10
2) Mark Shiel: Threw the odd hook when a straight jab was required (or so the referee thought). Went the distance and won his personal battles. Downed his dirty pint and yard in a manner that would have made an ‘out of training’ Ricky Hatton proud. 7/10. Didn’t score a try this week.
3) Clive Wilkins: Sometimes, a boxer needs to know when to retire. Like George Foreman (Lean Mean Grilling Machine version, circa 1996), still pushed his opposite man around the ring. 7/10
4) Pat Fitzgerald: Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Took his try (and his yard) well. 0/10 (disqualified for hitting after the bell)
5) Sam Royle: Quick feet for a big man. Our very own Anthony Joshua - 8/10
6) Billy Stirling: Again, didn’t go the distance and had to throw in the towel. Reminds me of a young Cassius Clay. 7/10
7) Ben Dilworth: Bowdon’s go-to man when the opposition are on the ropes. Full of fighting and bulldog spirit like British great Henry Cooper. 8/10
8) Pete Lineham: Like Vladimir Klitcko, has been around at the top of the sport for years. What he now lacks in speed he makes up for with ringcraft. 8/10
9) Chris Watts: Connor McGregor made the move from UFC to boxing look easy. Chris did the same with his move from Centre to Scrum Half. 7/10
10) Paul Mosely: Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee. Threw a few wayward punches early on, but landed the big ones at the end to leave Didsbury out for the count. Scored a try and 3 pens. 8/10.
11) Nick Foster: Always dangerous on the attack. Moves like young Prince Naseem Hamed, confident, and no-one can get a glove on him. Scored a try. 7/10.
12) Stephen Rowlands: Big, strong, well-programmed. Every team needs an Ivan Drago. 7/10
13) Jonny Stubbs: Continuing the Rocky theme, if Stevie R is Ivan Drago, then Jonny is our Clubber Lang. 7/10
14) Owen Hyland: The youngster is growing in stature with each fight match. Up-and-coming. Let's hope he is more Lennox Lewis than Herbie Hide. 7/10
15) Kenji King: May be a fly-weight, but hits like a much bigger man. Our very own Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. Bullied Didsbury around the ring when moved to fly half late in the game, setting up the field position for the final assault.

Replacements: Craig Monaghan, Key Waters, Tom Fitzgerald. A fighter is only as good as his corner, and these guys all did their bit from the touchline (some a little too much!!)

Report by our very own Kellie Maloney (Clive 'Hit n Run' Wilkins)

Team -
1. Chris Fletcher
2. Mark Shiel
3. Clive Wilkins
4. Pat Fitzgerald
5. Sam Alexander Royle
6. Billy Stirling
7. Ben Dilworth
8. Pete Lineham (C)
9. Chris Watts
10. Paul Mosley
11. Nick Charles Foster
12. Stephen Rowlands
13. Jonny Stubbs
14. Owen Hyland
15. Kenji King
16. Tom Fitzgerald
17. Craig Monaghan
18. Key Waters