Rugby - 'Mere topple 'Pool on return (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - 'Mere topple 'Pool on return

11:44am Saturday 24th January 2009 in Sport By Gazette Sports

Windermere 30.

Blackpool 5.

WINDERMERE re-commenced their N. Lancs. Division 2 campaign after a six-week lay-off due to holidays and adverse weather conditions with a rearranged home fixture against Blackpool.

From the outset, Windermere were the more adventurous side, but their recent lack of a competitive game and the fact that stand-off Proctor had to leave the pitch with an injury, resulted in a rather scrappy opening period.

However, their inventiveness was rewarded when Crawford used his ingenuity to keep the ball in play from a Blackpool penalty kick, transferring to Scott, who showed his speed by outflanking the Blackpool defence to score out wide. The conversion slipped narrowly wide.

Five minutes later, following a series of drives through the forwards, Windermere were awarded a penalty for a rucking offence which Crawford converted.

At last Windermere began to look more confident and Harrison was unlucky not to add to the points when he was hauled down just short of the line.

Nevertheless, the pressure continued and an excellent break through the middle by man of the match Blenkharn, followed by a well-timed inside pass to Floweth, allowed the centre to show his pace and score under the posts for a converted try.

No further points came and 'Mere turned round with a 15-point advantage.

Blackpool kicked off the second half with much more purpose and for the first 20 minutes were the better side, putting Windermere under considerable pressure.

However only one try resulted when No. 8 Wilson barged his way over for an unconverted try. This setback instilled some urgency into the Windermere play and they now took command. Crawford kicked a difficult penalty awarded for not releasing the ball and the same player just failed to gather a long pass with the line at his mercy.

However, the ensuing Blackpool scrum was put under pressure which enabled Windermere to secure the ball and pass along the line for Floweth to score his second try, to which Crawford added the two points.

With five minutes left, 'Mere scored their last and possibly best try of the game. The play was switched from left to right, through the hands of all the threequarters, to give wing Matt Nield the opportunity to touch down near the corner flag.

The conversion was missed, but it was immaterial and Windermere ran out easy winners.