ALDWINIANS 36 HAWCOAT PARK 17

HAWCOAT Park face a must-win game at home to Burnley this weekend in their fight for North Lancs/Cumbria League survival.

Eccles’ victory over Oldham, coupled with Park’s 36-17 defeat at Aldwinians, means Hawcoat need to beat Burnley and hope the Manchester side lose their remaining two fixtures.

An under-strength Park unit made the journey down the M6, and, once again, their endeavour and commitment could not be questioned.

The big, powerful Aldwinians side knew they had been in a game, and it was only into the second half when fatigue among the Maroon and Whites started to set in on a warm day, allowing the home side to move clear to a comfortable victory.

Defences were on top in the early stages, with Park skipper Brad Morrow setting the example with a couple of trademark big hits.

Fifteen minutes into the game, fly-half George Smith took the opportunity to boot over a 40-metre penalty goal.

Aldwinians were now starting to spread the play to good effect.

Their elusive running full-back looked to have scored after a good run, but opposite number Lewis Sayle pulled off a great, try-saving tackle in the corner.

Soon after, Aldwinians scored their first try. Realising Hawcoat were having to get up quick in a defensive line to stem their attack, their fly-half cleverly chipped over the top.

The ball bounced perfectly for their big second row to run on to and part to their centre to touch down. The winger booted over a good conversion from wide out to make it 7-3.

Thirty minutes into the half, they repeated the same move to good effect. This time it was their winger who ran on to the ball in space to score and then convert.

Second row forwards Ash Mowat and Callum Ramsay were having outstanding games setting the platform in the battle to get Park on the front foot.

Just before half-time, thanks to good work by winger Joe Dalton, Hawcoat had a good spell near the Aldwinians line.

Vice-captain Andy Kent, playing his first game for some time following an ankle injury, showed good determination to force his way over for a try. Smith, who was having a good game controlling Hawcoat’s play, booted over the conversion to make it 14-10 at half-time.

As to be expected with a strong replacement bench Aldwinians cranked up the pressure in the second half.

Lacking in size, Park’s diminutive back row of Adam Grainger, Alfie White and promising youngster Harry Higgins were working overtime against their bigger opponents, and scrum half Jonny Burrows was playing more like a back row with his defensive efforts.

Ten minutes in, Aldwinians booted over a penalty goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Mike Lightfoot and Grady Slater, both playing out of position in the centres, were grafting hard, but slowly but surely Aldwinians started to dominate the game.

Their centre showed good place to score an individual try and soon after their big second row forced his way over for 29-10.

Showing good determination Park came right back and had a good spell of pressure in the Aldwinians’ 22. With limited ball, Scott Garnett was showing up well and following good work by him and Smith, man-of-the-match Ramsay managed to force his way over.

Smith slotted over the conversion before Aldwinians had the final say with another converted try.