With a personal haul of 5 tries Robbie Wellock delivered the stand out personal performance of the afternoon. Rugby, however, epitomizes all that is best about team sport and the result was as much down to the efforts of our forwards in subduing a dogged, experienced pack, and a smooth running back line, where Phil Leigh pulled the strings very effectively, as it was to Robbie`s top performance.
Having lost both of our previous fixtures against Preston to very late scores and by a total of just 3 points we were determined to reverse the result on this occasion. Not surprisingly, we started strongly and it was no surprise when John Wilson was on hand to go over from 15m out.
We added 3 more tries in the first half – a Dan Eccles effort sandwiched between the first 2 of Robbies, all without reply and we might therefore have expected a comfortable ride in the 2nd half. Not a bit of it as the Preston pack competed well and whilst we did not defend particularly well, all credit to the visitors who forced their way over for 2 tries. Nonetheless, the result was probably never in doubt once Robbie scored the first of his 2nd half hat trick – much to the delight of his teammates – in anticipation of the customary jug of beer.
So, in the end a good result which helps our points difference . As we approach the final stretch – with 4 of the remaining 5 fixtures away from Headlands Rd, we are well placed for a good finish –but equally if we do not perform to the best of our ability then no doubt we will we will be punished and a lowly league position will beckon.
RJH