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Didsbury Toc H 24 Upper Eden 21

20/ 3/2008

DIDSBURY upset the North Lancs and Cumbria League form book to keep just above the pack of teams battling to avoid relegation.

Although Toc H had been forced to make a number of changes from their regular starting line-up, they were able to welcome back Andy Popoola.

However, the game started badly for Toc H as their visitors flew out of the traps and quickly opened up a 16-0 lead through two tries and a pair of penalties.

Didsbury showed their battling character though, bouncing back from those early setbacks to begin imposing themselves on the match.

Didsbury’s new front row combination of Walker, Puddy and Trapp were more than a match for their opposite numbers, allowing quick ball for the backs.

While Toc H’s usually free-scoring winger Pete Davies has gone through a quiet spell of late, he illustrated why there is no better one-on-one finisher in the league.

He scored two tries either side of half-time, adding the conversions for good measure to make it 16-14.

Toc H soon took the lead for the first time when Davies’ penalty put them 17-16 ahead before his third converted try put them eight points clear at 24-16.

Upper Eden managed a late try to close the gap to three points but Didsbury’s defence, unlike the first 10 minutes, held firm.