Tough game in trying conditions
WEDNESBURY RUFC 8 ECCLESHALL RUFC 17
WEDNESBURY entertained Eccleshall, the two sides were both promoted last season, Eccleshall as league winners Wednesbury runners up.
Wednesbury expected a hard game – that’s just what they got, they were still under strength and this affected their game. The game was very tight and close and in the end could have gone either way.
The home side took the lead after only eight minutes; their forwards pushing Eccleshall backwards towards their try line, Matt Dale picked up the ball and drove over the line in the corner, no conversion.
The wind was very strong and this affected the kickers, blowing the ball all over the field. It took Eccleshall only ten minutes to take the lead, a converted tackle after Wednesbury missed the tackle allowing the visitors to run in the try and conversion.
The game was end to end, with both teams attacking and defending well. With 30 minutes gone Eccleshall were awarded a penalty which they converted to extend their lead.
With the second half only two minutes old Wednesbury were awarded a penalty, Matt Dale converted. Wednesbury were taking the game to the visitors pushing them and forcing Eccleshall to make a lot of mistakes. But with this advantage Wednesbury wasted a lot chances to increase their score. With these wasted chance it gave Eccleshall more confidence to take the game to Wednesbury. This finally paid off for Eccleshall with only ten minutes remaining they broke away to score a try and conversion. For the last ten minutes Wednesbury tried to increase their score but to no avail the Eccleshall defence held firm.