Loo win stirs up memories of golden days

THIS fixture might not have the same cachet of days of yore when both these clubs were established and parading their skills in the higher echelons of the game but having not played each other for a number of seasons this was nonetheles an eagerly awaited contest.

Broughton Park, who were promoted to North One West at the end of last season, and in 11th place, are finding life hard at this level but as head coach Stuart Turner stated: “Make no mistake, this was a tough game despite the position of Broughton Park in the table.

“They made us work for every point showing that BY GEOFF LIGHTFOOT

there are no easy games in this league. If you are not at your best you will pay the price.”

Firwood Waterloo opened the scoring with a try from Mark Rylands, the hooker driven over after the pack had exerted pressure on the Park line.

Broughton Park hit back with a converted try to take the lead but two penalties from the boot of Max Sedgwick eased the home side ahead once more for 11-7 at the interval.

In the second period a superb set piece move across the backline allowed Jacob Allen to squeeze in at the corner but the visitors came again with a second converted try to bring them right back into contention at 16-14.

Will Allen eased some fraying nerves, snaffling up a dropped ball as Waterloo pressurised the opposition as they tried to move out of their own half, Sedgwick slotting the conversion.

“Obviously satisfied with the result,” Turner declared.

“We are beginning to come together as a side and when we can get all our players out of the field we are a match for anyone.

“The problem at this level is that if you lose a couple of players through injury life can become difficult.”

Looking at the game as a whole Turner remarked: “It was a good performance but we gave two tries away both from turnover ball and although you can expect that to happen in most games it is something we will look at.”

This Saturday Firwood Waterloo are at Anselmians.

Turner added: “This is always a tough fixture but we are playing some good rugby at the moment and we are in good spirits so I expect to come away with a win.”