Hoylake 1st XV v's Ruskin Park

Ruskin Park 24
Hoylake 26

Hoylake travelled to newly promoted Ruskin Park expecting a tough match and weren't disappointed in what turned out to be a thriller which could have gone either way, even right up until the last kick of the game.

Hoylake opened the scoring after a ferocious first couple of minutes by the hosts. A break by the impressive Joe Lavin, gave winger, Matt O'Hanlon, just enough space to score the opening try, ducking under a couple of tacklers, to dot down in the corner. Hoylake then pressed for the next score but ill-discipline in a try scoring position allowed Park to pounce and show their ability to counter, as they went full length to score. This proved to be the theme for the remainder of the half. Hoylake dominating territory only for their handling and ball retention to let them down in critical areas. As half tIme arrived, the hosts were 19-5 to the good, following another two, welll-finished break away tries.

Hoylake had a big task ahead of them in the second period but the same problems continued. A short range try from number 8, Rob Kurton (converted by James McLaughlin), after a brief period of forwards pressure, did give a glimmer of hope but a defensive lapse from the Hoylake back row, gave Ruskin Park what should have been the winning try.

Two scores behind with 15 minutes remaining, the visitors finally found some form and started to ask questions of the Park defence. A brilliant take by O'Hanlon from McLaughlin's perfectly measured restart, gave Hoyake the territory they needed to stage a come back. As the phases began to be pieced together, outside centre, Matt MacLaren was cynically shoulder charged as he chased his own kick. With the Ruskin Park offender sin-binned, Hoylake took full advantage. First, Phil James crashed over from close range, with substitute centre, Chris Whiteley, converting. With an attacking scrum some 10 metres out, the Hoylake pack exerted their advantage in the set piece, giving Kurton just enough space to reach for the line and ground the ball over the whitewash. Whiteley stepped up and silenced the baying crowd by confidently slotting the conversion, putting Hoylake ahead by two points with just a minute remaining.

That should have been it, but a rush of blood by one of the Hoylake pack, resulted in a penalty to Ruskin Park, with the very last kick of the game. With no time for a line out, the Park full back stepped up to take on the penalty kick, from all of 45 metres out. With both sides holding their breath, the kick was struck well enough, but drifted 5 metres to the left of the sticks, giving the visitors a bonus point victory.

Hoylake weren't at their best but showed a determination and desire to win that will have undoubtedly impressed coach, Gareth John. They had enough of the territory to win comfortably but their decision making and ball retention let them down in key areas of the pitch. Both teams benefitted from questionable refereeing decisions resulting in scores but no doubt Ruskin Park will be disappointed that they let the lead slip. They showed that they will give a good account of themselves this season but also learned a valuable lesson from one of the division's more experienced sides.

All in all, a great result leaving Hoylake at the top of the league following the two opening fixtures of he season. Next week, Hoylake welcome Tydesley to their newly refurbished clubhouse, in what is usually a fairly close but high-scoring encounter.