South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two
Oswestry Eagles Firsts 12, Liverpool Collegiate Firsts 24

COLLEGIATE quickly got deep into the Oswestry half but a good hit by captain Andy Smith caused the visitors to spill the ball. They re-gathered and Eagles were slow to react, awaiting a whistle, and the opposition fly-half scored, which was converted.
A great line by their centre saw Collegiate score, which was converted and a tackle by Nick Howland put their winger into touch. The visitors rebuilt once more but Tyler Morris got to a ruck early, earning a penalty. Morris once more saved the home side with a superb tackle. Sadly, this was his last act after a gash on the nose forced him off. Tom Keaveney replaced him but the visitors continued to attack, with their fly-half looking to kick over the defensive line. Eagles then conceded a penalty and another fine line by their centre saw him score again, with the conversion missed once more.
Oswestry finally came to life and the remaining ten minutes of the half were spent in the opposition’s 22m. But they couldn’t score, keeping it at 19-0.
In the second half the Eagles applied heavy pressure which the visitors reacted poorly to, giving away several penalties.
However a kick under pressure by their fly-half was chased well by the winger and he outran the defence to score, unconverted. A good carry by Eagles’ Jamie Luckett saw him come within inches of the line and a superb dummy line by Mike Davies took two defenders out before Gaz Hughes burst through the gap to score, converted by Dan Williams. Good carries by Mike Keaveney and Olly Wilford kept the visitors under pressure but a yellow card was given when Jack Fox was tackled around the neck. It happened once too many and the referee issued another yellow card to the visitors, costing the Eagles an almost certain try.
Smith had a chance following a good scrum from the penalty and he charged through three defenders to score.
A promising second half gave coach Barrett hope for the rest of the season. Final score 24-12.
l The Eagles now take a break until January 4 but a special nomads game of players at university and former players will take place on the December 28.