Match Reports

Thirds 24 v 7 Eccleshall 3rds

Longton 3rds managed to get a pool fixture away to local rivals Eccleshall 3rds and came away with a deserved 24-7 victory.

With a number of regulars absent or playing for the 2nds, the 3rds co-opted a number of Vets at the last minute with Mongy and Matt Glaze making their 3rds debut for the season and kicked off on a water logged Baden Hall pitch.

Longton were quickly on the score sheet with the first attack of the game, Matt Glaze and Steve Cartlidge working well in the centres with Steve outpacing the Eccy backs to score under the posts, Gaz Barlett converted. The Longton pack was soon on top in the tight game, with No.8 Mark Tolley clearing up opposition ball at the front of the line.

The second and third tries were copy cat of the first, with Steve Cartlidge declining the obvious overlaps to score his hat-trick, to take the score after 20 mins to 17-0, from then the heavy conditions were getting worse, slowing the Longton backs down, scrum half Graham Wilson still managed to continually harass the opposition scrum half and put Longton on the front foot, Eccleshall managed to score a try, with their first foray into the Longton 22, the 20st flyhalf managed to barge through the Longton backs dragging a few with him as he scored under the posts, with the conversion Longton led 17-7 at half time. 

The second half was uneventful, referee Fester keeping tight control with lots of scrums to keep the forwards happy! From a scrum 10m out the Longton eight drove to within 1m of the line, Graham then sent the ball down the line for fullback Mark Hughes to join the line and score the last try, with the whole team standing on the half way line as Gaz converted with the final kick to make the score 24-7.

Skipper Neil Pickering then led the team in a loud welsh "oggy" to seal a well deserved victory, special mention to youngsters Honeymonster, Sarge, Spikey, Quimby and Harrison for making up for the occasional lapses by the 6 Vets in the side.

No fixture yet for next week as it looks as if Trentham will cry off the merit game, Fester is hopeful of a pool game.

NP