2010-01-16 Miller Homes Leagues Div. 4 North
Garstang 2nd XV 60 v 0 Carnforth 2nd XV
Garstang Blues played their first game in five weeks on Saturday and they recorded a superb victory with a performance which was full of poise and power. From the off the Blues looked like they meant business and they were on the scoreboard within minutes as Richard Mayhew ghosted through the defence and went over, he then got up and converted his own try (7-0). Soon after the Blues were awarded a kickable penalty and Mayhew again made no mistake (10 ).
Garstang were making breaks seemingly at will and every time they got the ball they were making serious yardage. It wasn’t long before they had increased the lead and again it was that man Mayhew who squeezedto extend the lead to 15 points. 
Graeme Slater was having a big game and he was thriving on the chaos that the scrummaging unit of Smith, Outram, Cross, Raby and Bosson were creating. On the Garstang ball it was good clean ball and on the Carnforth ball they were getting seriously pressurised and being forced into mistakes. On one such instance Slater pounced on the ball and broke through the middle. He was tackled by two men when he went over the line but he had just enough control and power to get the ball down (22-0).
Next player on the scoresheet was Phil Peck as he latched onto a pass following a flowing backs move and he cantered over under the sticks (29-0). 
At this stage Carnforth knew that there was no way back into the game but, to their credit, they were having a go and they made a handful of decent breaks in midfield. However, the Garstang defence is the foundation which the team have built on this year and they were in no mood for giving away cheap points. Once the team had repelled the Carnforth attacks they made a sweeping break up field, the ball went to ground and Carnforth cleared into touch. Bhagat-Lowe quickly threw in to James Chaplin who raced down the touchline to score a thrilling try (34-0).
Just before the break Slater made another break before he was hauled down on the twenty two. He flipped a pass up which was taken by Simon Whittingham at pace, he was able to step inside the final man, stretch out and ground the ball on the try line. Mayhew added the extras to give the Blues an excellent 41-0 lead at the break.
At half time Slater was withdrawn and Davies replaced him, that gave Rigby the opportunity to move into the pack and replace Slater
Inevitably, following a first half of such quality and composure the level of intensity dropped off and Carnforth sensed this. They were getting a much bigger share of the ball and Garstang started to concede penalties. This was totally frustrating and started to affect the flow of the game as the Blues struggled to find the form of the first half. Eventually Carnforth got a penalty within range and they elected to take the three points (41-3).
With the game running to its conclusion Garstang started to look threatening again and with fifteen minutes to go Phil Peck was on the scoresheet again as he crossed for his second try (48-5). Soon after Ian Davies latched onto a pass at the end of a flowing backs move and he showed his pace to get to the line and extend the lead (53-5).
Just before the end Carnforth were pressing hard for a consolation score and they hacked the ball through towards the Garstang line. Skipper Walton dived on the ball which had just landed in the largest puddle on the pitch, he disappeared for a moment and then reappeared like a monster from the deep clutching the ball in two hands. The freezing cold puddle must have shocked him into action because he then went on a barnstorming run knocking defenders out of his way. He was tackled on half way but the ball was quickly recycled to Richard Mayhew who finished the game by trotting over under the posts (60-3).
It was a superb win for the Blues which takes them six points clear at the top of the table (four points for a win, two for a draw and one for a defeat) although they have played two games more than Penrith 3rds who are pursuing them
Team: Cross, Outram, Smith, Raby, Bosson, Brighouse, Slater, Walton (C), Whittingham, Rigby, Peck, Chaplin, Bhagat-Lowe, Bettaney. Replacements: Palmer, Davies, Saxon, Andy.
The 1st XV had another frustrating week as they travelled up to Barrow to play Hawcoat Park and were very disappointed to come away with a narrow 8-5 defeat.
On Saturday 23rd January the 1st XV travel to play Trafford MV, the Blues are at home to Fylde 5ths and the Lions are at home to Colne & Nelson 2nds. The 1st XV game kicks off at 14:15 and the Blues/Lions kick off times are still to be confirmed.
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| Home (Garstang 2) |
Away (Carnforth 2) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points | 60 | 3 |
| League Position | 1 | 8 |
