Lancashire made a perfect start to their defence of the County Championship, the Bill Beaumont Cup, with a comprehensive win over Cheshire in a highly entertaining encounter at the Woodlands. In front of a sizeable sun drenched Fylde Coast crowd, including the main man himself returning to his former club, the home county ran in four tries to one for a deserved victory, writes John Williams.
This was a composed performance from a well organised red rose outfit, absorbing early Cheshire pressure and then exploiting their superior pace down the flanks. Half backs Dave McCormack and Steve Nutt, behind a hard working and effective back row, completely ran the show throughout.
Cheshire scored first with a Ross Winney penalty followed soon after by two penalties in reply from Nutt to edge Lancashire 6-3 in front after 16 minutes. The visitors then enjoyed their best period with fly half Tom Eaton and flanker Jamie Miratana looking dangerous. They came close on a number of occasions only to be thwarted by a strong and resolute defence
After defending strongly Lancashire emerged to register two more successful penalties from the accurate Nutt in the 33rd and 36th minutes to extend their lead With Lancashire heading for the break 12-3 in front they mounted one last attack from just inside their own half. The ball swung along the backline, for the first time of the afternoon, to the Fylde flyer, Nick Royle. The wingman duly ended the half in sensational style by weaving past half the Cheshire team to register the opening try. Nutt converted for a 19-3 lead.
On the restart Lancashire immediately asserted with a fine 45 metre try from left winger Craig Aikman after good work along the backs. Now in full control the lead was increased to 33-3 on the hour mark when Nutt completed a simple touchdown after the pack had severely pressured the Cheshire line. The Waterloo man converted both to complete a personal 23 point haul.
Cheshire’s persistence was rewarded in the 74th minute when industrious prop Rob Bieniasz crashed over for a try converted by Joe Knowles. By now conditions had taken their toll and with all seven replacements used Lancashire played the last five minutes with fourteen men. They did however finish strongly reasserting their authority with a final try from the impressive Aikman running in under the posts, converted by Jason Duffy.
Lancashire Coach Mark Nelson was very pleased with the performance. “The effort and commitment was impressive.” he said. “We found it difficult to get possession early on and found ourselves defending in the early stages. After absorbing the pressure though, we then made good use of the ball and scored some excellent tries.” Nelson also confirmed that the dressing room was full of “bumps and bruises” possibly influencing selection for next week’s fixture against North Midlands.
Lancashire Team
Hunter, Royle, Duffy, Bailey, Aikman; Nutt, McCormack; du Plessis, Keyes, Halsall, Rawlings, Planchant, Newton, Wilks, Crous. Replacements: Dewhurst, Flynn, Banks, Lavelle, Collie, Wilson, Wiseman
Elsewhere, Yorkshire also opened their challenge in emphatic style when they scored nine tries to beat North Midlands 57-19 at Doncaster. Despite the numerous changes that were inflicted in the side in the lead-up to the game, the White Rose side produced some fluent, high-quality rugby that swept them to victory. Captain and lock Dan Cook (Doncaster) crossed twice, while Richard Snowball (Darlington) capped an outstanding display with the opening try.
Doncaster hooker Scott Plevey and Beverley fly-half Anthony Posa also crossed in the first-half, scrum-half Andy Brown (Otley) converting all four to give the home side a 28-5 half-time lead after the visitors had scored first through their No 8. Bradford & Bingley wingman Mark Kirkby, Brown, wingman Simon Horsfall and centre Chris Malherbe (both Wharfedale) and Cook scored second-half tries, with Brown landing two further conversions.
North Midlands scored twice after the break, including the last score of the game, and converted both.
Of interest in this match, and the other 46 fixtures during the course of this year's competition, is the trialing of a range of experimental rules. Click here...
Lancashire name eight debutants for Saturday's opening fixture, including England Counties and ex-Waterloo utility back, Craig Aikman.
Dave Wilks returns after being injured through last season's campaign, his eyes focused on a third County Championship Final, and Nick Royle is recalled, after an outstanding season in National Three for Fylde which saw him run in 31 tries.
Jason Duffy, injured in last season's Roses match, is a late replacement at 13 for Chris Briers, injured at Exeter last Saturday.
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15
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Neil Hunter
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Waterloo
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14
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Craig Aikman
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Halifax
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13
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Jason Duffy
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Sedgley Park
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12
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Paul Bailey
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Preston Grasshoppers
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11
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Nick Royle
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Fylde
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10
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Steve Nutt
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Waterloo
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9
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Dave McCormack
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Bradford & Bingley
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1
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Pietrus du Plessis
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Sedgley Park
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2
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Paul Keyes
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Sedgley Park
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3
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Martin Halsall
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Sedgley Park
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4
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Louis McGowan
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Rotherham
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5
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Chris Planchant
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Waterloo
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6
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Adam Newton
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Sedgley Park
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7
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Dave Wilks
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Nottingham
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8
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Juan Crous
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Preston Grasshoppers
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16
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Glyn Dewhurst
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Preston Grasshoppers
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17
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Nick Flynn
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Manchester
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18
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Glyn Rawlings
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Manchester
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19
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Tom Lavelle
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Fylde
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20
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Matt Collie
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Macclesfield
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21
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Darren Wilson
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Preston Grasshoppers
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22
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Tom Albinson
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Sedgley Park
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Referee: Mr. A. Vertigan (RFU)
No. 1 Touch Judge: Mr. M. Liddell (RFU)
No. 2 Touch Judge: Mr. M. P. Buck (RFU)
4th Official: Mr. A. Dawson (Manchester Society)
Assessor: Mr. A. McMillan (RFU)
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