Rugby - Backs give 'Mere edge (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Backs give 'Mere edge

4:04pm Monday 22nd September 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

Windermere.................................. 24

Colne and Nelson...............................20.

WINDERMERE started their N. Lancs Division 2 campaign by entertaining a Colne and Nelson side with the reputation of having a strong pack and it was obvious that in the tight the home forwards were going to struggle for dominance.

However, in the loose the hard work put in during training by Raymond Lee showed and Windermere were the far more mobile pack.

They used this advantage to good effect through the first quarter, during which time they camped in the Colne 22. Nevertheless, they were only able to convert this pressure into three points when Sansom kicked a penalty from an offside infringement.

Colne then came back into the game and their threequarters linked together well for a try on the half hour.

Scrum-half Denton made a half-break, feeding the ball to Davis, who touched down under the posts. Denton was also successful with the conversion.

This setback only seemed to spur the Windermere threequarters into action and straight from the kick off Sansom secured the ball from the ruck and broke clear for a score in the corner which went unconverted.

Against the run of play, Colne were awarded a penalty just inside the Windermere half for a rucking offence, which Denton took well to restore the Colne lead.

However, again from the restart, and on the stroke of half time, the Windermere forwards secured the ball to feed to Sansom, who made a good break through the middle to pass to Blenkharn for an excellent touchdown between the posts. Sansom added the extras to put Windermere 15-10 ahead at the interval.

Windermere dominated the second half with their threequarters beginning to show their attacking prowess. Colne substitute, McKay, was sinbinned for a very late tackle and during this period 'Mere added to their advantage with a penalty from Sansom.

Sansom put over two more penalties before Colne replied, against the run of play, with a breakaway try from Grimwald, which Denton converted.

The tiring Colne pack was unable to offer any real threat and Windermere secured a win rather more easily than the score suggested.