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Hindley 18 Woolston Rovers 26

NCL DIVISION THREE - 01/06/2013

Woolston Rovers bounced back from last week’s defeat when they came from behind to win at Hindley in a very competitive Hatton’s Solicitors Conference League Division Three game.

The game was in the melting pot throughout with both sides giving it their all in a very even contest but it was the extra skill and composure of the Rovers players in the closing stages that saw them get a much-needed victory to keep alive their promotion hopes.

Hindley opened the scoring in the second minute when scrum half Kieran Whittle broke through the Rovers defence to score at the left of the posts. Hooker Steve Sutcliffe converted and then eleven minutes later the home side managed to keep the ball alive in the tackle and find whittle who raced forty metres to score in the right corner.

Rovers got on the scoreboard just after the midway point of the half when a repeat set allowed pressure to be exerted on the Hindley line and some lovely handling saw the ball reach stand off Scott Whiteley whose smart pass sent second row Scott Davidson clear to score. Scrum half Daniel O’Brien added the conversion and then on the half hour Rovers were level when a lovely ball from second row Paul Alcock put centre Sean Conway over on the left.

Two minutes before the break Hindley edged ahead when Sutcliffe landed a penalty goal after Rovers were punished for dissent to give his side a slender 12-10 half time advantage.

The second half was nip and tuck with both sides giving their all but it was Rovers who went back in front on fifty five minutes when a move started by Conway was carried on by Alcock who dodged his way through the Hindley defence on a forty metre run before sending a lovely ball out to centre Dan Heaton who raced forty metres to score but again the lead changed hands as Hindley loose forward Carl Burgess intercepted a Rovers pass and raced fifty metres to score. Sutcliffe added the conversion.

As the game entered the final ten minutes a fine ball from Conway found Alcock who dummied his way round the Hindley defence to score in the left corner. O’Brien landed a superb touchline conversion to put Rovers two points ahead and then three minutes from time they made the game safe when a 40/20 from O’Brien gave his side head and feed at the scrum and good handling saw the ball eventually reach Davidson who forced his way over. O’Brien slotted over the extras to give Rovers a very hard fought but deserved 26-18 victory.

The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers hooker Ben Moores. He was very well supported by second row pair Scott Davidson and Paul Alcock along with centre Sean Conway.

Rovers

Troy Brophy, Ryan Cosgrove, Sean Conway, Dan Heaton, James Rosson, Scott Whiteley, Daniel O’Brien, Mark Robinson, Ben Moores, Matt Clarke, Scott Davidson, Paul Alcock, Chris Mellor.

Subs: Christian Taylor, Andy Addison, Bobby McGregor, Sam Files.