Hoylake 40 Garstang RUFC 31: Wasteful Garstang start the season with a defeat

Garstang RUFC’s first XV kicked off the season proper with a 40-31 defeat at Hoylake.
Garstang RUFC lost against HoylakeGarstang RUFC lost against Hoylake
Garstang RUFC lost against Hoylake

While they totally dominated possession and territory, Garstang were wasteful in the final third.

In comparison, Hoylake lived on scraps but were clinical whenever they had a sniff of a score.

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Garstang fell behind a quarter of an hour into the game when Hoylake spilled the ball but it was deemed to be a Garstang knock-on.

Hoylake made a sharp break from the resulting scrum and went under the posts to lead 7-0.

Garstang went right back at Hoylake and levelled the scores when Elliott Davies Taylor threw a dummy close to the line and went over.

Shortly afterwards, the same player made another incisive break before releasing Ainsley Pye to cross.

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Nevertheless, Hoylake led at half-time as they punished sloppy defending to score twice for a 21-14 lead.

That advantage was extended early in the second half with another converted try making it 28-14.

Garstang rallied, however, and got within two points when Joel Dugdale went over, followed by a second converted effort for Davies Taylor to trail 28-26.

With a little more than 10 minutes remaining, Garstang forced a penalty but, rather than take the three points, they took a quick tap and wasted the opportunity.

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It was especially painful as, from the restart, Hoylake went the length of the pitch to score in the corner.

Trailing 33-26, Garstang saw Hoylake kick a turnover downfield and win the race for a converted try.

With one bonus point achieved for scoring four tries, Garstang knew they could get a second in losing by seven points or fewer.

The last play saw Dugdale score in the corner to make it 40-31 but Kieran Davies’ conversion struck the post.

Elsewhere, the Blues posted a 57-17 win against Kirkby Lonsdale Warriors.

The first XV host New Brighton on Saturday with the Blues facing Southport (both 3pm).

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