Rugby - Stafford's sure finish for Mere bulldozes a way to victory (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Stafford's sure finish for Mere bulldozes a way to victory

10:05am Saturday 19th March 2011 in Sport

North Lancashire Division Two: Chorley 12, Windermere 17.

WINDERMERE started slowly and found themselves a try down inside five minutes as Chorley flew out of the traps.

Making inroads on the weak defence, the full back was able to make a break and fed the Chorley number 12 who scored in the corner.

From the re-start Chorley looked most likely to add to their lead, but despite strong play from their forwards Windermere’s defence held firm and the rest of the half proved a somewhat stale affair with the sides cancelling each other out.

After some stern words at half time Windermere played a little bit better and were rewarded with a penalty, which Crawford slotted home to make it 5-3.

Chorley flew right back at Windermere and after some terrible tackling in midfield, the home side’s full back broke through and scored under the posts for a seven point score, making it 12-3 to the hosts with 25 minutes left.

But as has been a strong trend this season Windermere don't know how to lose and came back strongly with some excelllent forward play, which set the platform for prop Shaun ‘Raging Bull’ Stafford to bulldoze his way through from 15 yards. Crawford converted to make it 12-10.

It was one way traffic to the end as Windermere battered the Chorley line, but the home side defended strongly. After a couple of missed chances, the ball was finally spun out to centre Joe Newton who outpaced the covering defence to score in the corner. Crawford converted to make the final score 17-12 in Windermere’s favour.

On Saturday Windermere entertain St Mary's Old Boys at Dawes Meadow, kick off 3pm.