10:08am Saturday 21st February 2009
Chorley...................... 17.
Windermere...............11.
WINDERMERE host Hutton in the top of the table clash this weekend after suffering an 11-7 away defeat to Chorley in a rearranged North Lancs Division 2 fixture.
While Hutton and Windermere both lie on 20 points, Windermere have played three matches more and need to defeat their rivals if they are to maintain their title ambitions. On a sticky pitch at Chorley neither team could get on top in the opening 15 minutes as they adjusted to the conditions.
Eventually, Windermere began to press but, against the run of play, Chorley secured the ball when the referee allowed the advantage after a knock-on for the Chorley centre to break down the wing before passing inside to second row Vaudry, who shook off the cover defence to score under the posts for full back Pearson to convert.
Windermere now began to get a little anxious and too complicated in their play, which often resulted in minor infringements. Scrum-half Dan Nield, returning from injury, showed well and the back row were always in evidence, but despite considerable pressure, there were no further scores and the sides turned round at half time with Windermere seven points to nil adrift.
Chorley’s No. 8 was their man of the match and ten minutes into the second half he secured the ball at the base of a ruck on the Windermere 22 to make a half break and release Richardson, who was able to run in almost unopposed for a try which Pearson converted.
Windermere at last realised the seriousness of their plight and captain Harrison rallied the players into their best spell of the game.They became completely dominant and won a penalty 15 metres from the Chorley line.
A scrum was selected and the forwards drove towards the Chorley line, allowing Sheasby to secure the ball and drive over for a try which James Crawford narrowly failed to convert.
Windermere continued to press and were awarded two penalties, the first for a tackle off the ball and the second for off side, both of which were converted, to bring them within a score of victory. Unfortunately, anxiety again took over and several good scoring opportunities were wasted.
Indeed it was Chorley who scored next, when from a rare incursion into the Mere half, they were awarded a penalty which Pearson scored.
Windermere were still within a converted try for a win, but despite pressing hard against a 14-man Chorley, following a sin binning, time ran out.
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