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Eccles pay dearly for set-piece mistakes

31/10/2002

RU: North Lancashire Div One - Eccles 6 Trafford Metrovics 16

DESPITE meticulous preparation for this important league fixture, it was a failure to win set pieces which cost the Gorton Street side dearly on Saturday.

A well organised Trafford side took full advantage to capitalise on misplaced line-outs and turn-over ball at the scrums despite the 3-3 half-time scoreline.

The opening 10 minutes saw Eccles execute their gameplan but the Trafford defence gave a clear indication that they were not going to succumb. Number eight Glen Cahill was Eccles' main attacking threat but he always lacked support. The centre pairing of Steve Wiley and Carl Johnson were occupied time and again in a defensive role and full-back Boo Bates turned in another strong-tackling performance.

Trafford's first try came from a well-worked line-out when their centre carved an opening through the midfield to score under the posts.

Eccles suffered a blow midway through the second half when influential scrum-half Neil Webb went off injured. As a result, Trafford were able to turn the screw but despite a defeat that leaves Eccles mid-table, many feel that the best of this young side is surely yet to come.

• Doug Woller, Hendrik Getz, Sean Barlow and Keith Ibbotson helped Eccles Third Team to victory, but the Seconds lost despite a good showing from Sam Simson, Ben Jones and Dave Clayton.