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Basement boys get the North treatment

12/ 1/2005

Rugby Union
Sarobuk 7
North Manchester 69

NORTH Manchester travelled to bottom-of-the-table Sarobuk determined to get their new year under way with a victory.

The elements, though, weren't out to make life easy for the visitors. The pitch just about passed an inspection and remained heavy in places, while the windy conditions did not aid North's free-flowing approach to the game.

The visiting forwards dominated throughout and lock Luke Corrigan opened the scoring after 10 minutes. Hooker Chris Consterdine blasted through several tackles before feeding Corrigan to score between the posts.

The second-rower had arguably his best game of the season and set the next score up for Chris Hyland. John Eady converted both to give his side a 14-0 lead.

Number eight Chris Taylor quickly added two more touchdowns, with a run from the base of a scrum followed by a tremendous sprint to the line from 30m. Flanker Ian Thompson increased the lead to 29-0 after good build-up from Lee Roberts and Gary Pugh.

Sarobuk suffered a spate of injuries during the first half and were down to 14 men just before half-time.

North's young forward Danny Nowell stepped in to play for the home side and had an immediate impact, collecting the ball on the halfway line to send in a home player to make it 29-7 at the interval.

Despite being well in front, the visitors hadn't played well and were much more impressive after the restart. All but one of their six second-half scores were touched down by backs.

Winger Steve Donoghue scored two tries early after the restart, both converted by James Hyland to stretch the lead to 43-7.

Chris Hyland added his second try of the afternoon after super work from Scott Bundy and Colin Meredith. Hyland ran a devastating line and scored under the posts for a converted try and a 50-7 lead.

Sarobuk rarely threatened but most of their good work in both defence and attack came through Nowell.

Chris Taylor completed his hat-trick after more great scrummaging from Consterdine, who took a number against the head. Taylor exchanged passes with Matthew Wallace before scoring in the corner.

Andy Donley and James Hyland completed the scoring after some great work by Matt Saxon and Gordon Morrison to leave the final score 69-7.

There were many good performances for North, particularly Taylor, Corrigan and Donoghue. But the Paige Garden Services man of the match was Danny Nowell, who was outstanding for the opposition.

• NORTH will have to raise their game for this Saturday's vital home cup clash against Ashton-on-Mersey. Come and support your local team at the Tudor Lodge in Victoria Avenue.