Moore pay heavy price for a second half collapse against Academics

Moore 19 Prenton Academics 42 A NIGHTMARE of a second half saw Moore suffer a second home defeat of the season against Prenton Academics.

The home team threw away a 19-0 interval lead and went on to lose the game 42-19 against a team that had also come up from Division Four.

Joe Pidgeon extended his try-scoring sequence with two more five-pointers and Frazer McKie also crossed for Moore as they scored 19 unanswered points in the opening 40 minutes to seemingly put them on a good footing.

The hosts started the game well and attacked with good intent, with players looking far more aggressive going forward than they had in previous weeks.

With Moore looking much more dangerous in compact areas of the pitch, gaps opened up for Pidgeon to push through and open the scoring.

A second try was to follow soon after, with a scrum in the Prenton 22m tying in much of the Prenton defence, again leading to gaps opening up.

After a few phases, Pidgeon once again applied the finish for Moore.

And it was nearly a case of a hat-trick for the full-back, with Moore once again attacking well with patience leading to a break out wide. This time Pidgeon was unable to take it all the way, offloading the ball to teammate McKie to finish.

However, this was to be the end of Moore’s scoring for the day as the one-way traffic was totally reversed.

With the game appearing to be well in Moore’s command, they began to make unchacteristic mistakes.

They were marched down the field after a number of penalties and in their own 22m Moore began to panic.

They had two players yellow-carded in quick succession, with Prenton taking their first points of the game. This set the tone for the second half, with Moore making repeated poor decisions as they watched their lead slip away.

Prenton were good value for their win, but were perhaps enhanced by the complete collapse of the Moore side who leaked six tries in a 30-minute period.

The Moss Lane outfit have the opportunity to make amends on Saturday, when they entertain Carrington. The match kicks-off at 3pm.