Glossop RUFC 2nd Xv….50 Bowdon RUFC…3
The first home fixture of the season for Glossop second team saw them field a strong team to play the team they had narrowly beaten in the cup last season. Bowdon’s intentions were clear from the first few minutes – to play everything through their stand-off. Bowdon started in lively manner, but produced nothing that Glossop couldn’t deal with. The Glossop forwards once again held their own in the set pieces, and attacked with purpose down the middle. It was from one such pick and drive that the ball was cleared quickly after 15 minutes. Simms picked up from number 9 and shipped the ball through the hands of Howard and Gerrard to Fitton’s hands. The ball sailed with fluidity through the centres to Murphy on the wing who went over to open the scoring, leaving the Bowdon full back wondering where his support from the wing was.
The subsequent conversion attempt was missed, but Glossop heads were high. Bowdon threatened little, and on 20 minutes, their stand-off was adjudged to have been ‘dumped’ by Ali G. The ref mercifully showed Gerrard the yellow card, but Bowdon lost their 10 for the remainder of the match. Despite their numerical advantage, Bowdon struggled to cope with a rampant Glossop. Further good hands from the backs could have put Murphy over had the move not broken down. Nonetheless, the ref had been playing advantage, and from the penalty, Wrigley crashed the ball over the line virtually under the posts for the first of his hat-trick of tries for the day. The conversion was scored and Bowdon already looked beaten.
A consolation penalty was all Bowdon had to show for a half in which they had struggled. Little did they know that worse was yet to come! Half time came and went. The Glossop team talk was simple – more of the same please.
No sooner was the second half underway than Glossop were on the score sheet again. A well worked driving maul put Howard over for a try. Some impressive kicking from Pickerell from tight angles saw the score line pull further away from Bowdon. Only minutes later, Wrigley crossed again off the back of another show of forward’s dominance. Again the conversion attempt went over and the body language from Bowdon was far from positive!
Glossop were passing the ball with comfort and confidence and making good progress each time they had possession. A number of good passages of play saw a succession of tries by the backs – Murphy scored again, as did Round and Hughes, with Pickerell adding all the points from conversions. Hughes could have had another try had the stand-in touch judge not celebrated the score by raising his arms. The ref thought he was signalling a foot in touch and disallowed the perfectly valid score!
Wrigley completed his hat-trick and capped a man-of-the-match winning performance by having to buy the team jug in the club house.
Glossop demonstrated a range of abilities showing that there are many ways to score a try. This was nothing short of a comprehensive beating of the visitors, which sets Glossop up nicely for the next fixture away to Buxton.