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Eccles 30 Stanley Rangers 16



Posted by Editor on 9th March 2010 at 05:35 PM
Eccles 30 Stanley Rangers 16
by Alfreida Kindon

National Conference League – 6th March 2010

Eccles took a giant step towards securing promotion from the 2nd division with a tremendous victory over third-placed Stanley Rangers.

Still sitting at the top of the table, they are 3 points clear of 2nd placed local rivals Oldham St. Annes, although St. Annes have a game in hand.

It wasn’t all one way traffic though, and second rower Damien Thomas and stand-off Dave Grice led a determined Stanley effort.

Scott Bowden put the first points on the board with a try in the 15th minute. This sent Eccles on their way before a great try from prop Glynn Watson five minutes later, goaled by Mike Davies, put the scoreline at 10 – 0.

Centre Andrew Muscat raced in for a brace of tries on the 34th and 36th minute, both unconverted, before the visitors’ Matty Firth crossed in the dying minutes of the first half to bring the score to 18 – 4.

Just after the hour, Stanley’s Dave Foster crossed for Danny Grice to convert (18-10), and the game was in the balance! Rangers came close to narrowing the gap still further when Marc Foster broke clear and Eccles’ Paul Morgan had to pull off a try-saving tackle. That proved a key moment and Eccles rallied, Morgan charging in at the other end, with Bowden gaoling – and Eccles had regained our composure.

Ricky Openshaw added a late well deserved try which Bowden improved to seal the game for Eccles. Stanley hadn’t finished though, and Dave Foster bagged a try for Grice to convert to leave the scoreline at 30 points to 16.

A well deserved win for Eccles, with prop Mark Thomas gaining the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.

Next Saturday (13th) Eccles entertain Eastmoor Dragons (Wakefield) at Schofield Road, with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Photo: Eccles' Ricky Openshaw heads for the line

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