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Eccles back on track

28/ 2/2001

National Conference Division One: Eastmoor 10 Eccles 14

ECCLES dragged their injury-hit squad over to Wakefield on Saturday to face an Eastmoor side that are fighting desperately against relegation.

And it was mainly their resolute defending that saw the visitors record their first win of the year.

At the final hooter, it was clear from the faces of the Eastmoor players that this was a game they had targeted for a win, yet it was Eccles who took the points that lifted them to fourth, their highest position of the season.

After only two minutes, Matt Armstrong chased Dean Pickup's huge kick and tackled Rogers in-goal to force a drop out, then, just a minute later, Pickup booted a 30-yard penalty to put the visitors ahead.

The home side scored the first try of the game though, on 16 minutes when Nicholson barged over just left of the posts and Hirst added the extras.

Their lead lasted only nine minutes, however, when long passes from Pickup and Kris Smith saw Jimmy Partington race in at the corner flag from 20 yards out. Pickup tagged on a brilliant touchline conversion despite the swirling wind.

Eccles scored their final points two minutes from the break when another Pickup long ball found Armstrong, who dummied through a gap and went in 15 yards from the posts for another converted try.

Helped by a 12-5 penalty count, the home side were on the offensive for much of the second period and missed a penalty on 49 minutes before Miles gave them hope with an unconverted try two minutes later.

There were no more scores in the game, although Pickup missed a drop goal attempt and Armstrong and Chris Smith forced further drop-outs.

The home side almost pinched the game in what would have been controversial circumstances though, when they made a break from a pass that was clearly a good yard forward. Craig Evans saved the day by racing back to halt the attack.