Burnage 35 vs Whitchurch 33
The opening game of the season saw the Reds go to Burnage who had just come down from the league above and are strong favourites to win this division. The match started fairly evenly and after twenty minutes only a single penalty by the home side separated the sides.
The visiting forwards began to take control and it was no surprise when Jake Rees touched down after great pressure from the red eight.
Danny Nicholas converted to give Whitchurch a 7 – 3 lead. Burnage now began to show their class out wide and scored two tries while the visitors were a man short after James Marvell was yellow carded. The Edgeley Park men fought back hard and looked to have scored again through Rees but the referee could not see it and disallows it. Rees broke through the defence again only to have the referee blow up for a head injury when he was yards short of the line. Just before half time, Burnage scored again through an interception and the scoreline looked ominous for Whitchurch as they went into the break 22 – 7 down.
Things got worse immediately after the re-start as the proficient home backs scythed through a dog leg defence to score again. The conversion meant the score was now 29 – 7 and Whitchurch looked out of it. It was now that the fighting spirit of the Shropshire men showed its true colours. The red pack decided that the home backs couldn’t do anything without the ball and determined not to let them have it. They ground down the Manchester boys until they scored a try of their own when Tom Hale finished off a signature “catch and drive” move to score out wide. Nicholas converted to draw closer. It was now all Whitchurch pressure and they scored again through Cameron Breen. Burnage tried to open up the game but it was being dictated by the Whitchurch forwards. In the 65th minute, Steve Bloore got his usual try which Nicholas converted. There was now only three points between the two sides and Burnage were getting worried. Their worries were well founded but they managed another penalty to put them six points clear. That six points was not enough and, in the 78yh minute, Jake Rees forced his way over for a try out wide. The kick was difficult but Nicholas kept his nerve and put it over to give the Reds the lead pf one point with just one minute left on the clock. That one minute was enough time for the excellent home kicker to put over a penalty and snatch victory.
Coach, Jordan Davies, said, “I am loving the attitude of all the players especially the debutants. I thought the contribution from the bench was also impactful.”
Next week, Whitchurch are at home to Birkenhead Park. KO 3pm/
