Glossop v's Hoylake 1st XV - Match Report

Glossop 29
Hoylake 28

Hoylake travelled to Glossop for their first ever fixture with a team that has moved across from the Yorkshire leagues into South Lancs/Cheshire 1.

Before the kick off, we knew exactly what to expect from Glossop who were undefeated at home, largely due to their bulky pack of forwards. Unfortunately, due to several players being unavailable (despite the previous week's outstanding performance and morale boosting victory against Anselmians!) Hoylake travelled with a relatively light pack of forwards.

The Hoylake 8 stood up to the challenge but were up against it from the kick off. The Hoylake backs, however, were head and shoulders above their opponents in terms of both defence and attack.

As it was, Glossop quite rightly played to their strengths. Slightly one dimensional but strangely it led to an exciting match with Hoylake leading for the majority of the fixture due to some outstanding tries scored largely on the break from Tom Selby-Milic (pictured), Matt MacClaren, Joe Lavin and Steve Young. Young converted all 4 tries.

Eventually though the Glossop forward power took its toll with Matt O'Neill and Selby-Milic being sin binned in the second period. Hoylake's pack stuck to their task manfully but too many silly penalties conceded granted their opponents field position which almost inevitably they managed to score from.

Hoylake could feel slightly aggrieved due to the fact that the 2nd try scored by Glossop resulted from a clear knock on by the number 7 as he stretched and failed to ground the ball over the line. The prop dived on the ball as it rolled over the line having been touched by a Hoylake hand following the Glossop knock on. To Hoylake's disbelief the try was awarded but that's the way it goes sometimes I suppose....Steve Young also missed a penalty by a couple of feet which could have been the difference.

Hoylake’s Man of the Match went to 18 year old scrum half Joe Lavin, whose electric pace and improving distribution is pivotal to the team’s improving performances of late. His jinking 45 metre kick return was undoubtedly the best try and highlight of the match.

This Saturday, Hoylake host Wigan in the first return fixture of the season. Hoylake lost by 20-11 when they travelled to Lancashire back in September. Hoylake will be fielding a stronger team this time around but can expect Wigan to come out firing as they look to escape the relegation zone.