Hoylake v Widnes

Hoylake 10
Widnes 24

Hoylake welcomed high-flying Widnes to a fog filled Melrose Avenue, confident of causing an upset. With an almost full-strength side to choose from, the hosts started the match in determined fashion. For ten minutes, they had their opposition defending deep in their own half but were repelled by some ferocious Widnes tackling.

In fact, with their first attack of the game, the visitors went almost full length to score after Hoylake’s defence didn’t stand up to its first real test. The try was well converted to give Widnes a 7-0 lead. Despite looking the better drilled side, the visitors didn’t have it all their own way. Seasoned campaigner, Richard Young, rolled back the years to break the gain line on several occasions. Not to be outdone, younger brother and fly half Stephen Young showed his pace breaking out from his own half. With the line at Hoylake’s mercy, his pass to supporting skipper Andy Fielding was fumbled and the opportunity lost. Once again, great work by the Hoylake number ten and his fellow backs released flying winger Matt McClaren. When a try seemed certain, McClaren fumbled the ball and was caught from behind as he attempted to gather the ball.

Widnes had few opportunities to score but always seemed to have the upper hand. They came close when their backs broke through and as the full back drew his opposite man, he released his winger with nobody at home in defence. Fortunately for Hoylake, the pass was adjudged to be forward and play brought back.

In the space of five minutes, the result of the match was decided. Widnes managed to break through and score a converted try before Hoylake’s danger man, Stephen Young, was taken out in a tackle and had to be replaced because of concussion on the stroke of half time.

With their key attacking threat off the field, Hoylake seemed to lose confidence and Widnes scored another try just two minutes after the restart, which was impressively converted from the touchline. With almost a full half remaining, the hosts appeared to be facing a heavy defeat. However, a sterling defensive effort ensured that Widnes were limited to just a penalty goal, giving them a 24-0 lead with fifteen minutes remaining.

As the light faded, Hoylake started to get some much needed possession, thanks in main to the strong running of props Jack Collister and Irish import, Mick O’Neill. First Hoylake were awarded a penalty in front of the Widnes posts which Richard Young converted. Then, when the ball squirted out of a Hoylake scrum, abrasive scrum half Dom Kearney managed to evade the attentions of his opposite man to break down the blind side. He gave the ball to Hoylake’s replacement, 19 year old Tom Lavin. With three men to beat, the young winger chipped over the top and showed great acceleration to beat his opposite man to the ball. He fly hacked on and dived on the ball to register his first try for the 1st XV. Hoylake’s man of the match Richard Young converted but that was to be the final score of a hard fought match.

The result was probably a fair one based on territory and possession but Hoylake knew that they had wasted two guilt-edged chances in the first half that may have contributed to a shock result. Hoylake can now look forward to a rematch in the 4th Round of the EDF senior Vase in 2 weeks time, when again Widnes will make the trip to The Wirral.

Next week, Hoylake travel to Heywood Road when they take on bogey side Sale Amateur in a mid-table encounter.