Hoylake v's Widnes - Match Report

Hoylake 27
Widnes 20

After last week's capitulation against local rivals, Wirral, the Hoylake faithful could be forgiven for expecting a similar outcome against much fancied Widnes. Even by half time, with the hosts trailing by 20 points to 3, a victory seemed almost impossible.

However, a strong wind and a determined performance by the team meant that the hosts came away with a well-earned and much needed victory.

The first half saw Widnes dominate with the wind at their backs. Hoylake's forwards were competing well but the Hoylake backs were getting little change from their pacey counterparts. A Steven Young penalty was all the hosts had to show for a dogged first half display whereas the visitors had amassed two tries, two conversions and two penalties in a largely dominant first half performance.

Despite the previous week's moral consuming defeat, the hosts felt confident that they could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. A strong wind behind them and vocal support from the many supporters lining the sidelines (thanks to Huw, Sue and Tracey for another well supported sponsor's lunch!)gave the home team the lift they needed.

Hoylake started the 2nd half like a train. Steve Young slotted a long range penalty before intense pressure led to a penalty try as the colossal Widnes scrum half dived on the ball at the base of the scrum before Hoylake's number 8 could dot the ball down following a powerful 5 metre scrum.

Somehow, Young managed to miss the kick in front of the posts as the ball (allegedly!) fell off the tee as he struck it....

With the momentum firmly behind them, Hoylake's forwards continued to grind their way up the pitch as the well organised backs thwarted any attacks that Widnes attempted to piece together. Another long range penalty from Young put the hosts within touching distance before a brilliantly worked cross field kick from flyhalf Robinson bounced perfectly into the arms of winger Matt MacClaren who did the rest. Steve Young slotted the conversion from the touch line to give the hosts an unlikely but well earned lead.

with 15 minutes to play, there was still plenty to do but to their credit, the Hoylake team continued to play on the front foot. Two more penalties from Young gave the hosts a 7 point lead with 10 minutes to go. Hoylake dug deep and played an intelligent kicking game (with the exception of one or two dodgy decisions in their own half!) to ensure that the points were theirs.

In the end, a great victory for what is still a young and injury ravaged Hoylake side. The match was sponsored by Vanilla Lounge in Hoylake who chose Ian Stevenson as their Man-of-the-Match who played in the front row and 2nd row during the match to great effect.

On a day when everybody played well, there were also notable performances from the Young brothers, with Richard showing that his days in the backline are numbered with another gritty, 'flanker like' performance. Joe Lavin was dwarfed at scrum half by his opposite man but the 17 year old showed his pace on numerous occasions and proved that he is now settling into the role of 1st XV scrum half. Steve Butterworth (on for the injured Tom Corkhill after 20 mins) and Ian Griffiths both put in excellent shifts and the back row of Byatt, Kurton and O'Hanlon looked well balanced and sharp.

Next week, Hoylake have another difficult fixture away to Sale at Heywood Road but will be looking for another upset as they seek to build on their current league position.