Aldwinians win Lancashire Trophy

Aldwinians RUFC picked up the Lancashire Trophy over the weekend, after defeating Didsbury Toc H 32-13 in the final.

After a tense start to proceedings, a penalty went the way of Aldwinians, and Connor Prendergast opted to go for the kick and settle everyone’s nerves.

Alex Hughes slotted the first score.

The kickoff that followed was floated high into the air and the process that followed Toc H was awarded a scrum.

Once again it was driven back well but they picked up quickly and ventured into Aldwinians 22m for the first time in the match.

Aldwinians turn to defend and defend they did, with the ball duly turned over and the clearing back to halfway.

Only a penalty to Toc H allowed them to venture into the 22m line once again.

But the lineout was again turned over and the defensive effort resulted in an Aldwinians scrum on their 10m line.

Unfortunately, this resulted in another penalty for Toc H just short of Aldwinians’ 10m line which they opted to kick.

Yet again the number 10’s aim was off and Aldwinians held onto their slender lead.

Again another scrum penalty saw Alex Hughes drive the ball into the Toc H 22m.

The lineout was securely taken and the lads started to make slow progress towards the line, however, Toc H were still in this match and when another Aldwinians attack was thwarted by another defensive penalty the chance had slipped away again.

Toc H cleared the ball to just short of halfway.

Didsbury secured the lineout and ventured into the Aldwinians half once again but a knockon at the lineout saw a scrum back on the Aldwinians 22m line.

This time a penalty given against the red and white giving the Toc H number 10 his third attempt at the posts.

With half time looming and neither side making any real impact on the scoreboard frustration and anxiousness was building in both teams.

Toc H used the dying minutes to break down the line and looked good to score but the final pass was wild and soon Aldwinians’ scrum saw them back on the attack.

With the backs driving the ball forward, Aldwinians were starting to get into their stride looking patient in their buildup.

Steve Warner held his hand high with some direct and strong runs into the Toc H defence.

However, in the end, the referee awarded another defensive penalty, giving Toc H a chance to clear their lines.

And the penalty that followed saw them take another three points.

Toc H boosted by the late three-point lead were well on the attack, but a knock-on in the 22m line saw Aldwinians given the chance to clear their lines.

Toc H driving the ball back though with the wind in their sails.

Even the scrum was picked up quickly to reduce Aldwinians’ impact on the game, this time Toc H breaking down the right wing and crossing the line for the first try of the match.

Calm heads and back to basics was the order of the day and that is what Aldwinians delivered.

Back to basics with all 15 players linking well, illusive runs by the backs, strong direct lines from the forwards and number 8 figurehead Rubin Holland dotted down to the right of the post.

A Tom Hughes kick deep into the Toc H half moved play back into the opposition 22, with a follow up of plays, only to be denied with a Toc H penalty to clear their lines.

Less than 20 minutes to go but it was still anyone’s game.

Matthew Ross taking a lovely ball just off the back of a maul with Mike Moreland in support.

Rubin drove towards the try line and when the referee awarded Aldwinians a penalty, Tom Hughes waited for no man.

A quick tap and go saw him cross the line to give Aldwinians the lead again.

From the next kick, Aldwinians went again and were soon back in the Toc H half only another penalty awarded to Toc H saw them relieve the pressure.

However, Aldwinians had found an extra gear now and were holding Toc H in their half.

A lovely move, finished off well by Nathan Clare, who stepped his way across the line.

The red and white then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and were determined to finish in style.

Attack after attack followed, not resting on the 11-point lead.

Toc H were not done yet though and they constantly pushed their opponents back and tried to get back into the Aldwinians’ half.

By this stage, the whole game was being played in the Toc H half and there seemed no way back for the team in black and gold.

Another turnover ball saw the backs linking well Jack Taylor, Tom and Alex Hughes, Mitch Dempsey and Callum McMahon are all involved but the last pass invaded them.

However, pressure showed and Aldwinians were awarded a penalty in the Toc H half.

With less than 10 minutes left now and an 11-point lead, the kick at goal was chosen. However, it drifted wide.

Toc H were not giving up and tried to run the ball back from their 22 but the defence held and Aldwinians had the upper hand.

Another Aldwinians penalty on the 22m line saw Alex Hughes step up to make it a 14 point lead, with less than five minutes on the clock.

The next kick off saw Jack Taylor once again streaking down the sideline only to be tackled short of the 22m line.

However, calm and patient build-up from the Audenshaw XV showed they still wanted more.

Matthew Ross breaking from the back of a maul linking with Rubin and Alex Hughes.

A penalty to Toc H saw them try and run the ball back but the usual result was a solid defence from Nathan Clare, turn over the ball and Jack Taylor streaked down the sideline and Mike Moreland showing power to cross the line in the corner.