South Lancs and Cheshire League Division Two North
Duckinfield 18, Oswestry 26
OSWESTRY found themselves 5-0 down within a minute as a well drilled Duckinfield pack caught and drove the ball over the line. But if Duckinfield expected this to be an easy ride against the Eagles they were to be sorely mistaken.
Within 10 minutes Duckinfield found themselves in the same situation and doubled their score with a repeat of their catch and drive for 10-0, but Oswestry then started playing their game with Ollie Wilford, Mike Keavney and Andrew Smith battering Duckinfield who conceded a lineout 15 metres out.
Dan Samuels fed Nathan Parker and the might of the Oswestry pack drove the 15 metres for Nathan Parker to score. Andy Howell narrowly missed the conversion.
Howell released the backs at every opportunity with Sam Martin, Ivor Hughes and Tyler Morris making good runs, Duckinfield restricted to a snap drop goal by the flyhalf for 13-5.
Dan Samuels, Graham Fox and Tom Sproulle were now interlinking well and gaining ground and from a scrum, Thomas Thorpe picked up and went on a strong battering run, breaking the defence to score under the posts. Andy Howell adding the two points for 13-12.
From the kick off Oswestry put good phases together, Ivor Hughes making good ground on every carry. Nathan Parker made good yards before going to ground and from quick ball Andy Howell ran a well worked move with Rob Massam who ran in 25 metres untouched. The conversion added by Andy Howell to make it 13-19 to Oswestry
Some dubious penalty decisions helped Duckinfield into the Oswestry 22 where a lineout five metres out provided their third try for 18-19, and with 20 minutes to go the Oswestry fitness provided inroads into the Duckinfield defence.
Oswestry brought on Gareth Morris and Jake Northwood for the injured Thomas Thorpe and Chris Roberts and put enormous pressure on their opponents' try-line.
From another well worked move, Sam Martin crashed over only to be held up and pushed back from the ruck. Jim Dilks threw a dummy pass, with three defenders moving out to allow him across the line untouched, Andy Howell taking the conversion for 18-26 and a good away win ahead of Oswestry's home match against top of the table Ruskin Park this week.