Glossop Secure Back-to-Back Victories

Regional 2 North West: Douglas 25-33 Glossop

Glossop achieved their first ever win over in Douglas, Isle of Man, after several failed attempts. 

Things got off to a sketchy start for Glossop though, as Douglas kicked a penalty through Luke Hyland and followed it up immediately with a try from Craig McGee which was converted to give the Manx Men a 10-0 lead. 

Glossop fought back straight away, with a penalty of their own, through the boot of player/coach Liam McGovern. 

This was swiftly followed by a try from Glossop speedster Chris Sonczak which went unconverted to make the score 10-8. 

From the restart, Douglas then had a player sin binned for 10 minutes for a late tackle. 

Glossop capitalised on their numerical superiority with a try from free scoring winger Max Horsfall, giving Glossop a 13-10 lead at half-time.

Straight after the break and with the wind now at Glossop’s back, Douglas kicked a penalty to level the scores at 13-13. 

Glossop’s front row were immense all day and after another punishing scrum on the oppositions ball, Lewis Winterbottom strode over for Glossop’s third try. McGovern again converted to make it 13-20 in Glossop’s favour. Douglas refused to lie down though and responded with a breakaway try of their own, through one of their fleet footed backs. This made it 18-20. 

Man of the Match McGovern, then sneaked the Derbyshire men further ahead with another penalty to make it 18-23. 

The Islanders came back yet again though, with a converted try of their own to push ahead. 25-23.

Things were about to change though, as elder statesman David Stanley came on for the last 20 minutes to replace young number 8, Louis Maltby. Stanley rampaged over for two late tries, to give The Hillmen a bonus point win and deny Douglas any points from the game. 

A special mention must go to veteran prop Richard Tamplin, who came on for a cameo appearance and slotted seamlessly into the front row.

Had the success from the kicking tee been above the 40 per cent achieved, the score for Glossop would have been much more flattering but nonetheless new Director of Rugby Neil Pearson and new skipper Damian Chabas must be delighted with the opening two wins of the season. 

This Saturday sees Glossop, currently in fourth place, take on Firwood Waterloo in second, at home, with both teams winning their first two openers with bonus point wins. Waterloo sit higher than Glossop on points difference only. 

Pictures by Alan Briggs: Double try scorer David Stanley and Glossop’s powerful front row.