Northern Division - South Lancs & Cheshire Division 2

Oswestry 5 Dukinfield 24

A MINUTE'S silence was held by both teams before the kick off as a mark of respect for life member and former chairman John Huins before Oswestry took an early lead through James Roberts's score in the corner, which went unconverted to leave the Eagles 5-0 ahead.

From the Dukinfield restart, the visitors earned a penalty, which was kicked into the Oswestry 22. From the subsequent line out Dukinfield drove Oswestry back 15 yards to over their try line making an easy score for the Dukinfield number 6 to score. The conversion was kicked and after 10 minutes the visitors led 5-7.

This spurred Oswestry on to play their game as Noah Chunsi, making his second appearance, was quick to recycle the ball out to his wingers and Luca Owen Youens went ran at speed at the visitors but was held back within feet of the try line. Dukinfield pushed Oswestry back to their 22 and were able to score a second try, which went unconverted to make it 5-12, which it stayed until the break.

Any hopes of an Eagles' comeback were thwarted when a well-drilled Dukinfield continued to play the same way as they did in the first half. Great defending by Oswestry in their 22 resulted in them conceding a penalty and Dukinfield took quick advantage and were able to run in their third try of the afternoon to make it 5-17.

Changes weere made and Oswestry pushed for a late salvo, but as Oswestry pushed forward, the Dukinfield pressure finally took its toll and after 30 minutes of the second period, the visitors scored their fourth try, which they were able to convert.to make it 5-24.

Man of the match from the Oswestry team was awarded to Luca Owen Youens and on Saturday, the Eagles are at home to Wirral side Oldershaw, which was a cancelled fixture from the beginning of February, and the game kicks off at 3pm at Granville Park.

Meanwhile, the second XV lost heavily to Knutsford's first team, going down 107-12 on the road.