Douglas v Bowdon
A treacle-like playing surface at Port-e-Chee could’nt prevent Old Mutual Douglas and visitors Bowdon serving up a gripping encounter. Shaun Wylie came off the Douglas bench at centre for a hamstringed Duncan Wilson after 10 minutes, and Craig Magee and Paul Leivers epitomised home determination with crunching tackles. Kicks from scrum half Dion Spice highlighted Douglas tactics to turn the heavy Bowdon forwards, and after 15 minutes fluid Douglas hands from Guy Wood and Luke Hyland fashioned an opening for Ben Webb to touch down. Bryn Snellgrove converted superbly from the right hand touchline for 7-0. Douglas were yellow carded when debutant prop Jareth Mackay cleared out a ruck too enthusiastically for referee Chris Till’s satisfaction, but Bowdon failed to strike. The visitors reliance on forward strength was predictable, but Robert Todd and Ben Dutnall spearheaded Douglas defiance with their best performances of the season. With half time near, Douglas belied conditions to orchestrate space for winger Sam Reid to score in the left corner, prompting grandstand celebration when Snellgrove again added two points from the touchline and 14-0.
Occasional lineout yips failed to detract from Carl Markyl-Ferns registering a storming shift in all areas in the second half, but Bowdon succeeded with the direct route as John Ebworth ploughed over under the posts for 14-7 at 60 minutes. The penalty count was stacking up against Douglas and Leivers was shown yellow, and Bowdon’s quick tap and go were causing problems. Karl Evans replaced Douglas flanker Nick Hughes, who had given his all, to re-enforce the Douglas forward effort with a maturity beyond his years. Webb cut down fullback John Davies deep in Bowdon territory which lead to the visitors illegal 75th minute rescue of the situation being penalised 35 metres out. Snellgrove’s three pointer nailed the win, 5th place in the league and schadenfreude in sending Bowdon home without a losing bonus point.
Pictures courtesy of Noel O’Reilly
