Bowden 27 vs Whitchurch 24
It didn’t take long for the first points to go on the board, Boden collected the ball from the kick off and showed the Whitchurch defence that they were going to be in for a tough afternoon passing the ball through the backs to score a try which was converted in the first minute of the game. It wasn’t long before the Whitchurch defence was busy again and this time gave away a penalty which left them 10 : 0 down after just 6 minutes.
Whitchurch then started to retain some possession of the ball and spent time applying pressure with the forwards going forward. Boden were then penalised for going over the ball and Robbie Leighton kicked the penalty to get Whitchurch on the scoreboard 10 : 3
Boden who have not lost at home for 2 years then kicked long into the corner for the lineout and a good drive by them led to another try which wasn’t converted, score then 15 : 3
By now Whitchurch were starting to show the commitment that they have showed in previous games this season and some constant pressure led to another Whitchurch penalty on the half way line which Robbie Leighton manged to kick to make it 15 : 6 More good play by Dom Freer Carmichael and Cameron Breen led to the later going over for a try which unfortunately for Whitchurch Leighton could not convert to add the extras. He did get one more penalty opportunity before the break which was converted which left the travelling players 15 : 14 down at half time.
In the 2nd. half Whitchurch showed great courage and determination tackling well and on a break Boden were penalised for a high tackle which again was converted by the impressive Leighton to put the Shropshire boys in front for the first time. This fired Boden into a response but took them a while to score another try under the posts which was converted for them to retake the lead22 : 17
Whitchurch’s task was then made harder when Leighton was yellow carded for kicking the ball away but as so often happens when a team are down a man after defending a lineout Nathan Horton broke through down the line and ran to the opposition 22m line where the ball was recycled to the backs for Tom Williams to score under the posts. Whitchurch were now in the lead by 2 points with only 5 minutes left and were under constant pressure and even though back to a full 15 players could not hold out as Boden scored a try right in the corner with the last play of the game.
Captain Jimmy Hockenhull said it was a hard game and thought they had done enough to win, but said you have to be switched on right to the end. He gave credit to his brother Henry who was playing his 300th. appearance for the Whitchurch first team. A game he won’t forget as he had his eye stitched up following a last minute tackle.
Next week Whitchurch play Crewe and Nantwich at home 3 pm kick off and the colts have a national cup game on Sunday 2pm kick off against Firwood Waterloo for anyone who wants to come down.
