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Eccles fightback just fails

31/10/2002

RL: National Conference One - Eccles 14 Waterhead 16

ECCLES played host to some special guests on Saturday in Great Britain stars Adrian Morley and Barrie McDermott and the entire Australian Aboriginal squad - but unfortunately, the team didn't rise to the occasion, writes Ken Roberts.

The first half was a nonentity as far as Eccles were concerned as they went in 13-0 down looking a shadow of the side they can be. Lowly Waterhead scored unconverted tries in the eighth, 21st and 40th minutes along with a Lee Sculthorpe drop goal.

Eccles improved in the second half, and scored four minutes after the resumption. A quick-passing movement involving Steve Fearnley, Craig Evans and John McAtee resulted in a try for Carlo Napolitano, although with no recognised goal-kicker, Jason Viller missed the conversion.

Waterhead hit back with a 49th-minute penalty then David Hedgecock appeared to score for Eccles after good work by Fearnley only to have his try disallowed for a knock-on.

When Waterhead had Sculthorpe sent off on the hour, Eccles sensed they could get back into the game, although the visitors edged further ahead with a good drop goal.

Fearnley scored the try of the game on 65 minutes converted by Napolitano to put Eccles within six points.

A piece of individual brilliance by Craig Evans gave Matt Bateman his 10th try of the season before Napolitano unluckily hit the outside of the post with the conversion attempt.

With Waterhead going down like skittles, Eccles just ran out of time and surely would have won the game if it were five minutes longer. It told a tale that half-time sub John McAtee was voted man of the match while Steve Fearnley topped a huge tackle count.