Douglas Rugby Club have managed to keep on the league table midfield tail in the Regional Two North West even after a beating from Burnage.
Just how precious away bonus points are is underlined by five home wins from six fixtures in the division this week, including Altrincham Kersal’s home success against previously undefeated league-leaders Waterloo.
Burnage raced off with tries from James Clarke and Louie Davis, and Grant Connon converted both as well as a penalty for 17-0 after 23 minutes.
Initially only the Douglas scrummage was holding up as the re-arranged Douglas front five, with Simon Hoddinott at hooker, the returning Owen Carvin and Phil Cringle did a number on their opposites.
Midfield
Gradually Douglas centres Harry Hewson and Charlie Henthorn began to carve a few holes in midfield, and metres made turned in to points as Hoddinott rampaged down the blind side and skipper Blake Snell’s supporting line did the rest.
Burnage kicked a penalty to stretch the lead, and Connon added the extra’s after Joshua Hodkinson sliced through for 27-5.
Douglas needed a tonic before half-time, and it arrived via full-back Kyle Martin being tackled high and earning a yellow card for the offender.
Fourteen v fifteen was made to count, Douglas flanker Mark Oldfield made some telling contributions, and Martin himself sprinted over out wide for 27-10 after Robson’s narrow conversion miss.
Penalty Attempt
Robson had got the kicking range though, and his long range penalty attempt sailed between the posts after Douglas ruled the opening salvo’s of the second period.
That domination stemmed from pressure up front, and the introduction of Blake Everson for his first cap added further fizz alongside the effective Oldfield.
A 50th-minute scrum saw Douglas drive the Burnage eight towards their own goal line and illegally bow out for a penalty try.
All to play for at 27-20, until the tide turned as Burnage returned to a full fifteen. Flanker Ethan Kornick scored, Connon converted the two-pointer, and smacked a 40-metre penalty over for good measure and 37-20.
Grit and Heart
Douglas came again. The industrious Robson’s nose for the line earned the try bonus point as he scampered over from a quick tap-and-go in a typical scrum-half snipe, nailing the conversion to boot for 37-27.
A late Keir Merrick try took away any chance of a second Douglas bonus point for being within a seven-point margin, even as Burnage were again reduced to fourteen through a second yellow card involving Martin secure under the high ball, but time to use the advantage had ebbed away.
Missing six unavailable players from the Douglas side that beat Altrincham Kersal a week earlier certainly lengthened the odds, but first hand comment from the touchline suggested this squad displayed real grit and heart.
Who can ask more.
The final score was Burnage 42 and Douglas 27.
Douglas Squad – P Cringle, S Hoddinott, O Carvin, C Garland, B Snell (cap), W Kermode, H Cartwright, M Oldfield, P Hampton, N Robson, J Duncan, H Hewson, C Henthorn, C Dentith, B Kelly, K Martin, B Everson, L Scarffe.
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