Saturdays game would be season defining game in the battle for promotion back to South Lancs / Cheshire 1. The opposition was top placed Collegiate. With the likely hood that Tyldesley would win their games in hand and would take top spot. One of Hoylake or Collegiate would be joining them and this game would give a huge boost to the victor in their promotion hopes. Ironically this time last year the game was thought to be a decider of who would be relegated. Hoylake won but it made no odds as three teams went down anyway.

As the teams warmed up the crowd grew with supporters from both clubs and It was a perfect day for playing and watching in bright sunshine with only an occasional breeze to contend with.

After a two week lay-off, Hoylake only had a couple of injuries to negotiate. Matt O'Neill started despite being ill on the morning. He was joined by Darren Agnew and skipper Jake Woods back at 2 with Will Dow twisting his ankle during the week., Will Selby and Steve Crone in the 2nd row, Guy Byatt, Matt Evans on the flanks with Matt O'Hanlon at No.8. Tom Selby and Ben Sparke were the half backs, Ritchie Young and Matt McClaren in the centre, with Mike Webster and Tom Lavin on the wings and Joe Lavin at full back.

Hoylake kicked off into the on shore breeze and started like a team on a mission. They managed to recover the ball and spent the opening minutes, testing Collegiate's defence, with good running and support play. After a 5 minuet onslaught Collegiate turned over the ball and they went on the offensive themselves. All of which set the tone of the game with both sides trying to play open rugby and entertain the crowd, which they certainly did. Collegiate seemed to have the edge in the set piece scrums and their movement and passing appeared the sharper, but Hoylake's defence withstood the challenge.

At the start of the second quarter Hoylake began to dominate possession. A 5 metre Hoylake line out was repulsed as was the next one a couple of minutes later. Then a 5 metre scrum saw Hoylake's ball turned over and Collegiate relieved the pressure. As Mike Webster took the clearance kick his surge through the defence was blocked and he had to be replaced having injured his knee. Danny Lewis took his place. Hoylake were still in Collegiate's 22 and continued to press for the line, their pick and go's continuously making good yards and pull in the Collegiate defence. Another Hoylake 5 scrum in Collegiate's 22, this time the ball went wide and from the breakdown went to the blind side, winger Tom Lavin froze his opposite number with a step and then rounded the full back with another and over he went for a great try. Joe Lavin missed the difficult conversion. After all that pressure it was imperative Hoylake came away with a score, which they did, much to the delight of the home spectators.

Collegiate were not going to give up, their impressive scrum half driving his forwards on or bringing his backs into the game. Again Hoylake held on, but after Guy Byatt queried the referee's decision, and not for the first time, he found himself in the sin bin and Hoylake down to 14. Collegiate, not surprisingly responded with all out assault of Hoylake's line. Penalties against were beginning to mount up and from one Collegiate looked to have found a gap through Hoylake's defence, but excellent covering by winger, Danny Lewis, saw him put in an even better tackle to save what looked like a certain try under the post. Guy Byatt was restored to the pitch just before half time after 5 minutes of stoppage time. Hoylake just about deserved their 5 – 0 lead, but the game was far from won.

Collegiate opened the 2nd half with it all to play for. Only minutes into the half and a reckless fly kick gave Collegiate possession which they quickly ran into Hoylake's 22. Minutes later they won a penalty as Hoylake strayed off side. It was converted and Collegiate were back in it. Both sides were at it hammer and tongs when the referee found Collegiate off side and Joe Lavin landed the penalty to give Hoylake a 8 – 3 lead. Hoylake were increasingly using kicks to keep Collegiate in their half, however, as their left winger ran back into Hoylake's half he threw a pass so far forward we thought Joe Lavin at full back would catch it. The referee somehow missed it and away Collegiate went and in the next passage of play they were awarded a penalty which was converted. 8 – 6 and game on.

Hoylake restarted and went for the jugular. They had a line out in Collegiate's 22 which they won, the ball went out to fly half, Ben Sparke, he stepped off his right foot and held the defence and then through the gap he went, as the cover came across again he stepped off his right foot and under the posts he went to howls of delight from the home fans. Joe Lavin converted and suddenly Collegiate looked rather crestfallen. Collegiate still had their moments. Matt O'Hanlon rescued Hoylake with a most timely interception from which Joe Lavin kicked deep into Collegiate's half. Collegiate were penalised and Joe Lavin's penalty attempt thumped the cross bar. He skilfully caught the clearance kick and he wins a penalty at the breakdown. This time he gets the points and Hoylake are two scores ahead.

The game moves into injury time and Collegiate are desperate to score and try to get within seven points to gain a losing bonus point, vital to stand any chance of a promotion slot. It comes to nought as Hoylake keep them at bay, secure a great win 18 – 6 which almost ensures promotion. Both sides deserve credit for a great game which Hoylake deservedly won and finished the stronger. As long as Hoylake beat Marple next week that should be that. Collegiate play Marple the week after and even if they got a bonus point win and Hoylake merely a win, they would be level on points. However, in that scenario Hoylake would have a better record v collgiate with a win and and a draw and therefore clinch 2nd spot and promotion.

Elsewhere Tyldesley, as expected, beat Dukinfield to go top of the league and with two games to play, both of which they should win, albeit away at Vagabonds and Eagle, to become champions. Next week, the last league game of the season sees Hoylake at home to Marple and a sponsored lunch, which should set things up nicely.

The last game of the season though will see Hoylake try to retain the Cheshire Bowl in the final against Winnington Park at Crewe and Nantwich on Easter Monday.

Match Report provided by the Bench Boys.