Hoylake 1st XV v's Winnington Park

Hoylake 11
Winnington Park 3

It was a day when experience triumphed over youth. Hoylake were in determined mood to defeat a side they haven't won against in the last four meetings and break a losing streak in the league going back to late-October.

It was a blustery day at Melrose Avenue but Hoylake started the match with one of the strongest squads that they've had available this season. Mike Kearney was welcomed back after 18 months replacing the absent Matt McLaren on the wing. Let's hope that his knee problems are finally behind him. Rob Kurton also stepped up to the bench after 3 months out with a broken bone in the leg. Joining Kurton on the bench were the experienced Phil James and one time 1st XV regular, John Howell, giving the hosts some much needed experience to call on if required.

Hoylake dominated the majority of the first period. After a quiet opening 5 minutes, the Hoylake backs began to cut loose from long range. Steve Young and Joe Lavin were causing problems with their pace and veteran, Rich Young, was producing some direct, barnstorming runs through the middle.

After an exchange of penalties between Steve Young and the Winnington Park kicker, it was Joe Lavin who registered the only try of the game after 25 minutes. He was one on one with the Park number 11, who in reality should have made the tackle. As it was, with a fend and a step, Lavin was gone, racing in from 35 metres. Young missed the kick. 8-3 to Hoylake and there were no further scores in the first half.

The second period followed a similar pattern. Tom Corkhill continued to dominate the lineouts on both Hoylake's and Park's throws, giving a steady flow of possession to the backs. The Youngs continued to look threatening with the backrow of Byatt, Shaw and O'Hanlon working hard to recycle at the breakdowns. Hoylake had a Tom Selby-Milic try chalked off as the referee blocked the defender and the hosts were becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of a breakthrough.

With 20 minutes remaining, Gareth Jones rang the changes. All 3 subs came on. Kurton replaced Byatt, Howell came on for Dan Baldock on the wing and James replaced Ian Griffiths in the 2nd row. Immediately, a break at the back of a lineout resulted in an easy penalty opportunity for Steve Young as Park killed the ball. He stretched the lead to two scores at 11-3.

Up until this point, Hoylake hadn't really been tested. Park realised they were now chasing the game and stepped up a gear. Despite a lack of rugby over the past 6 weeks, Hoylake's fitness levels just about held up. The scramble defence worked well and some aggressive tackling kept the visitors at bay. One flashpoint saw James sin-binned following what looked like a huge but fair hit on the Park number 8. The referee viewed that James didn't use his arms in the tackle and he was sin binned. Worse was to come for Winnington Park, whose number 8 was surprisingly given a straight red for his reaction to the tackle.

With both sides down to 14 men, the game opened up. Park spurned one guilt-edged chance when less than slick passing allowed the Hoylake defenders to get back and stop an almost certain try. With five minutes remaining though, Hoylake closed the game out and held on for a satisfying victory.

Man of the Match went to centre, Rich Young, with Rob Shaw running him very close. Prop, Iain Stevenson was also given recognition for his performance by Coach Jones. All in all though, it was a tough, physical performance by the whole squad.

Next week, Hoylake have another tricky encounter away to Wigan. As seems to be the Hoylake way after a victory, there will be a couple of key absences but can also expect to welcome back wingers, Matt McLaren and Matty Ross.