Hoylake 17 - 5 Heaton Moor

This weeks Match Report is courtesy of the Bench Boys

Heaton Moor gave Hoylake a good game at their ground earlier in the season, Hoylake taking the honours 19 – 10. But with Jake Woods and his wedding guests back for selection, Hoylake were confident of a more convincing outcome. Matt O'Neill was back at prop, Matt O'Hanlon replaced Guy Byatt on the back row, Jake Woods at No.8. In the backs Tom Selby was back at scrum half, Tom Lavin moved from full back to the centre, Connor Bradshaw on the wing and Joe Lavin at full back.

Hoylake kicked off in overcast but relatively calm conditions. Heaton Moor were quick into their stride as they dominated possession during the early stages. After just five minutes they constructed a good try as their forwards went through several driving phases before the ball went to the backs to score. It was another 10 minutes before Hoylake had any real possession to play with and that led to a well taken penalty conversion by Joe Lavin. 3 – 5. With Hoylake finally getting some ball, they started to grow into the game. This was helped by a yellow card to a Moor player. Matt O'Hanlon broke out but was adjudged offside. Ian Griffiths was held up over the line after a series of forward drives. A minute Matt O'Hanlon was just inches from the line before being hauled down. Finally it was skipper, Jake Woods, who scored. A 5 metre Hoylake scrum was driven on before Jake picked up and went over on the blind side, Joe Lavin converted well from wide out. Five minutes later Hoylake stretched their lead. A penalty kick deep into Moor's half , saw Hoylake take their line out and drive for the line and Matt O'Neill touched down, Joe Lavin adding the points to give Hoylake a half time lead of 17 – 5.

Hoylake swapped Dan Lewis for Connor Bradshaw on the wing as Heaton Moor started the second half. After only a few minutes Moor found themselves down to 14 men as one of their forwards tried to decapitate Darren Agnew. That raised Moor's efforts as they managed to deny Hoylake any advantage let alone score. There was no quarter being given by either side as their defences dominated. Hoylake then had t play without the full compliment as Ritchie Young was sin-binned for a high tackle, shortly followed by Darren Agnew for a late tackle. Moor were unable to take advantage and the game was running out of time.

Sadly with only minutes left, The Moor number 10 was badly injured, breaking his leg. The referee sensibly brought the game to an end. 20 minutes later the ambulance arrived to take him to hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery.

So Hoylake took the game 17 – 5. Once again against more than capable opposition. From a Hoylake prospective, Skipper, Jake Woods, set an example which Matt Evans and Matt O'Hanlon created a destructive and positive back row. The front row were equally solid as were the locks. With few opportunities in the backs winger, Mike Webster, had the odd battering ram run but it was in defence that they were the stronger and with Joe Lavin's boot proving more reliable, Hoylake saw the game out.

The win keeps Hoylake top of the league, two points ahead of Collegiate who white washed Port Sunlight 109 – 0 and with a game in hand. Tyldesley are third, 4 points behind but with two games in hand having no game yesterday. With only two games left (both at home) promotion is still in Hoylakes hands.

Hoylake don't have a game now for three weeks when we entertain Collegiate, who are at Heaton Moor next week. Which looks like a the winner will get promoted along with Tyldesley but anything can happen,