Hoylake 1st XV v's Broughton Park

On the day of the Annual Dinner and a week after the hugely disappointing, last gasp defeat to local rivals New Brighton, Hoylake were in determined mood to cause an upset against Broughton Park.

Hoylake seemed to edge the forward battle although their line out was struggling without a recognised thrower. Park's backs looked dangerous but were largely marshalled by McLaughlin, Young, Kearney and co. A momentarily lapse did allow the Park backs to break from deep within their own 22. A cover tackle by Andy Fielding stopped an almost certain try, but a penalty was conceded, giving the visitors' number 13 a relatively simple shot at goal, which he gratefully accepted after 15 minutes of the contest.

The next 10 minutes were all Hoylake, as their forwards battled to break through. In a ruck, the game had to be stopped as the referee was unintentially nudged by a player and pulled his hamstring. The official received some treatment from the Broughton Park physio and returned to the fray following a 5 minute pause. However, after another couple of minutes he had to call an end to proceedings as he couldn't keep up with play. Disappointing for both sides and sets of supporters but the right decision under the circumstances.

We await notification of when the match will be replayed.

A great night was had by all though at the Annual Dinner. Ex-All Black and Leicester back rower, Craig Newby, really entered into the spirit of things, staying and drinking with the boys into the early hours.