Hoylake 1st XV v's Bowdon

Hoylake 27
Bowdon 12

Hoylake put in a workman like performance against a physical Bowdon side in heavy conditions at Melrose Avenue. Despite the visitors enjoying the majority of the possession in a bad tempered encounter, it was the more dangerous Hoylake backs who determined the outcome of the match, along with the relentless tackling of the forwards against the big but eventually predictable Bowdon pack.

The hosts led at half time thanks to tries from winger Liam Rushworth and number 8 Rob Kurton, the latter thanks to a powerful catch and drive from the forwards. Stephen Young kicked one conversion and one penalty, having missed with three other kickable attempts. Bowdon stayed in touch following a sustained period of pressure, resulting in a converted try for their scrum half. 15-7 to Hoylake at half time.

The second half followed a very similar pattern but in very difficult playing conditions with the pitch cutting up badly. The hosts seemed to have sealed the victory when Rushworth got his second, pouncing on a spill by the Bowdon fullback following a deep kick by Hoylake. Young failed to convert on what was an uncharacteristically disappointing day for him with the boot but Hoylake looked in a healthy position at 20-7. Bowdon didn't roll over and pounced on slow Hoylake defence, to exploit an overlap and easily score to bring them within 8 points. However, it was the hosts who had the last word when Steve Young made one of his trademark breaks and offloaded to the supporting James McLaughlin to seal the bonus point. Young did find his range for the conversion, completing the scoring and leaving Hoylake as worthy winners, 27-12.

It was a good, dogged performance that pleased Coach, Gareth John. The match was soured by the first half sendings off of Iain Stephenson and the Bowdon number 5 for a fairly inocuous scuffle, however, it did serve to settle both sides down allowing for a competitive and entertaining match to ensue. An unfortunate and unintentional incident in the lead up to the Bowdon try left flanker, Guy Byatt with a bad laceration to his eyeball which required hospital treatment. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Man of the Match went to one time 2nd team regular Darren Agnew, who has reinvented himself as a prop and who now seems to have made the position his own in the 1st XV.

On Saturday, Hoylake travel to West Park, St Helens. They lie above Hoylake in the league so it is another real challenge ahead for the red, white and greens. They will travel with another reshuffled side in what has proved to be another injury ravaged season, however, it is very close between 3rd and 6th, so a competitive battle for the points can be expected.