Moore’s progress in Shield brought to an end in fine clash with Park

Moore 5 Ruskin Park 22 MOORE’S progression in the Brooke Edgley Specialist Technical Services Shield came to an end in a hardfought battle with Ruskin Park which saw the St Helensbased team come out on top.

With the league being the main priority for Moore this season, a number of first XV players were given a week off to rest up for the remaining games in that campaign.

However, those that played the game did so with a fantastic attitude which made for a brilliant game of rugby union.

From the off the contest was played at a far higher tempo than other games have recently.

Moore adapted to this well, though, and the game was very evenly balanced for much of the first 20 minutes with the ball being played mostly between the two teams’ 22m lines.

There was some brilliant defensive work on show, epitomised by the industrious tackling of Mike Barr.

The first points of the game came as Ruskin Park were able to recycle ball well and ship it wide to take a 5-0 lead.

Moore roared back into the encounter and started to play a lot more physically and direct as the forwards started to dictate in attack.

A period of sustained pressure saw Moore awarded a penalty in the Ruskin 22 which was tapped and given to Jack Harvey to carry over the line to make it 5-5 at the interval.

The second half was played out in much the same vein as the first with space and time being at a premium.

It was Moore who looked more threatening in the first 10 minutes as they recycled ball well through multiple 10-plus phases, but fatigue began to take its toll and alongside a tough Ruskin defence the Moss Lane men were unable to get the break they needed.

Ruskin would score their second try after a long lineout was overthrown and their flanker at the back was able to collect and score a 40m individual effort to make it 10-5.

The game would once again return to a tough, determined battle with Kyle Robinson and Luke Cairns both putting in some great tackles.

Sadly for Moore, however, the game was sealed with Robinson departing with an ankle injury and with no backs on the bench, Moore had to resort to two forwards at centre.

This allowed the Ruskin backline a little more freedom and gave the Ruskin centre time to make a step through to score and seal the game. A further try was added a few minutes later as Ruskin were once more able to ship the ball wide and score in the corner.

Whilst it was disappointing for Moore to go out of the Shield, there can be no qualms about the game itself which was probably one of the best for spectators in a while.

Moore can now focus on the remaining nine games of the league season as they look to secure the Howell & Co Division Four South title.

The are currently in second place, three points behind Lymm’s fourth-team.

This Saturday Moore host Macclesfield’s fourths at Moss Lane with a 2.15pm kick-off.