Cheshire Bowl
Moore 24, Oswestry 14
OVER the summer months, Oswestry became the first ever associate member in the history of Cheshire RFU, due to the hard work of club secretary Jim Pickard.
Unfortunately, the team could not provide Jim with a win to progress into the next round of the cup.
Oswestry fielded a much changed side from the team that was relegated from South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One, due to the V Festival and the welcome return of injured players that missed most of last season.
After very positive pre-season training, Oswestry took the field in confident mood, but were quickly brought down to earth by an early converted try for Moore due to confusion in defence.
First team captain Andy Howell in his first game for 18 months gathered his team together and Oswestry put pressure on the Moore defence that resulted in a penalty for off side that Howell converted with ease, this lifted the Oswestry forwards into playing an expansive game with some good phases of handling moves, but again a defensive mistake allowed the Moore backs to counter attack, resulting in a unconverted try, and, after just ten minutes, Oswestry were 12-3 down.
Oswestry kept to their game plan and Moore gave away numerous penalties for off side. Andy Howell converted one, and after a good forward drive the Moore full back was caught in possession by Sam Martin playing in his new position of number eight, and with quick turnover ball by Guy Howell put Ivor Hughes away in the corner for an unconverted try. With another penalty converted by Howell, Oswestry went into half time with a 14-12 lead.
The second half was a completely different affair with heavy rain and a sloping pitch. Moore staged a fightback scoring two converted tries capitalising on Oswestry’s lack of match practice, but good performances by newcomer Tom Treasure and youngster Nathan Parker and man of the match Guy Howell mean Oswestry will be well equipped to compete in their new league this season.
There is a training game this week away at COBRA with a 1pm kick off.
Training takes place on a Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at the club, contact Don Howell 07739 446565 for more details.