Windermere 26 - Blackpool 7 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Windermere 26 - Blackpool 7

10:08am Friday 4th April 2008 in Sport By Dennis Aris

BOTH sides faced atrocious conditions in this bottom of the North Lancs Division One clash.

Incessant rain drove into the players' faces, and it was to their credit that they were able to produce any rugby at all.

Windermere had the better of the opening exchanges and their pressure was rewarded by a try after 15 minutes.

Blackpool were adjudged offside in a ruck and 'Mere elected to kick for touch rather than go for goal in the difficult conditions.

The ensuing lineout was secured and from the drive Bragg broke free and slipped a pass to Sansom for a touch down, Harrison succeeded with the conversion.

Blackpool then came into the game rather more due, in the main, to Windermere losing their discipline and giving away a series of penalties.

Against the run of play, Mere broke free and, after a series of passes, obtained a scrum in the Blackpool 22 which allowed scrum-half Sansom to dummy the defence and score under the posts.

In the dying moments of the half, Blackpool kicked deep into the 'Mere half following a penalty infringement and scrum-half Roe dived over from the maul for a try which Overend converted to cut the gap to 14-7.

The weather began to take its toll on the pitch in the second half and handling the ball became almost impossible.

Nevertheless, the Windermere forward power ensured that Blackpool were forced back and allowed only one or two minor skirmishes into the Windermere half.

'Mere managed two further tries, both from second-row forward Jason Brown.

The first came from a driving run after a quick lineout throw, following good forward pressure in the right- hand corner.

The second was from a kick ahead, which was followed quickly by the home flankers, who stripped the ball from the Blackpool defence, before squeezing it to Brown, who was able to break free and score under the posts.

Harrison converted the latter to give Windermere a very hard-earned, but deserved victory.