|
|
Netherhall vs. Cockermouth RUFC
31st January 2009
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Netherhall 8 - 3 Cockermouth |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Cockermouth put in a superb performance against highflying Netherhall, yet came away with a narrow defeat. The visitors played with the strong wind and made the best possible start when Andrew Skillen converted a penalty in only the second minute of the game. The wind played its part in restricting Netherhall’s attacking opportunities, but Cockermouth’s pack, which welcomed back Owen David and Ra Thompson giving it a more physical presence lacking in previous weeks, also played a prominent role, they were strong in the tackle and never let the Netherhall pack develop any momentum. The back row trio of Ceiron Williams, Johnny Taylor and Mark Holmes worked tirelessly to keep Cockermouth in the Netherhall half for prolonged periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cockermouth had a couple of kickable penalties but chose to take quick taps in an attempt to raise the tempo of the game, but Netherhall’s defence held firm. Around the 25-minute mark the referee sent Johnny Taylor of Cockermouth to the sin bin, soon after a Netherhall prop joined him, however, even with two less bodies on the field, the game still remained extremely tight. It took until the 35th minute for Netherhall to really burst into life and break out into Cockermouth’s half, some strong forward drives and quick ball to the backs saw them reach the 22m line, the only answer Cockermouth had was to concede a penalty which Atkinson converted. From the re-start, the high kick was knocked on 5 metres out and Cockermouth took the ensuing scrum but were held up just short. A mysterious penalty, one of many for both sides throughout the game, allowed Netherhall to clear, however, on the stroke of half time, Netherhall conceded one themselves, Andrew Skillen’s attempt drifted just wide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the second half, the Netherhall backs went into overdrive, a brilliant move saw Atkinson round the Cockermouth winger to head for a certain score, it was only fantastic covering defence by Alan Denwood and Andrew Skillen that prevented it. Shortly after this Cockermouth lost the services of Ra Thompson through a twisted back, this disrupted the scrum and the flow of secure ball temporarily stopped. Netherhall took advantage, stole one against the head and released the ball wide for their winger to score a well-taken try, giving them a narrow 8-3 lead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Netherhall were now in the ascendancy, their backs were well organised with movement off the ball causing confusion in the Cockermouth ranks, but Cockermouth stuck to their task and wingers Mike Shaw and Brett Malloy tackled well out wide. Netherhall continued to pressure the Cockermouth line, until, in the 60th minute when Mark Holmes stole a lineout ball and the pack stood strong to drive themselves out to the 22-metre line, a clearing kick then took them to the half way. The relief was short lived as Netherhall swept forward and this time it was centres Alan Denwood and Robert Ward to the rescue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As the match wore on, it was plain that Cockermouth’s chances of a score were quickly diminishing, one last concerted effort by the forwards took them into the Netherhall half, the ball reached Alan Denwood who just couldn’t quite break through the last line of defence. This was Cockermouth’s last chance to draw level, but they should take a lot of positives from a game in which the whole team put in a cracking performance, making Netherhall work hard for the whole 80 minutes for their victory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
RFU.com 
Search
