Whitchurch 49 vs Kersal 5
This was a game that both teams wanted a win to take them to the security of mid table following being postponed twice due to the weather. Whitchurch welcomed back scrum half Ollie Wynn who after coming through the mini and juniors went to play for Worcester, Chester and RGC, but has decided that for the rest of this season. It was the visitors who had the chance to go in the lead first but missed a penalty in front of the post after some good running and passing by their backs. The deadlock was broken though in the 10th. minute when Robbie Leighton converted a penalty from 30 yards. Just 4 minutes later Altrincham showed they up for the fight scoring a try following a driving maul by the touchline to take the lead 5:3. Half way through the half prop Steve Bloore offloaded to Wynn who jinked past a couple of defenders before the ball was passed to Jake Bailey to score in the corner. On the half hour Whitchurch extended their lead after Danny Matthews broke from the half way line and passed out to Leighton who scored in the corner. Altincham were reduced to 14 men soon after following a high tackle which allowed the home forwards to drive 20 meters before the ball was spun Luca Youens Owen to score with Leighton converting to go in at half time 20:5
The second half could not off started better for the home team as a mix up in the Altrincham defence allowed Jake Rees to score in the first minute. This spurred the home side on and when a quick tap penalty taken by Ollie Wynn ran forward from his own half before putting a kick in which he chased and the ball bounced up nicely straight into his arm to go and score under the posts. This was converted and with 5 minutes to go the ball was again passed through the impressive looking home backs to reach winger James Marvell who managed to cross the line in the corner. Altrincham were wondering what had hit them and 2 minutes later Wynn crossed the line again with Leighton adding the extras with the conversion. With only a couple of minutes left the ball went out to the outside centre Leighton who crossed the whitewash for the final time with a score of 49:5.
This was an impressive performance all round by the team with the return of forwards Ian Gillespie and Tom Hollins showing their strength and experience and the latter encouraging his second row partner Elliott Horton to get over the gain line. With the return of Ollie Wynn linking up with Danny Mathews it gave the backs more time to attack the ball at pace. With 8 tries for the home side all the spectators went home happy.
Next week Whitchurch are away at bottom of the table Liverpool St. Helens.
The second team had a free weekend but are at home to Wolverhampton 2nds at home with a 2:15 kick off time.
