1st XV picks up first league points in impressive away victory.

For their first away league game of the season Moor travelled to Kirkby Stephen to play Upper Eden last Saturday. The setting for this club is extremely attractive, surrounded as it is by the Westmoreland fells, and this was enhanced by the glorious late September weather – ideal conditions for the running rugby that has been characteristic of Moor’s play over the last couple of seasons.The Green Lane side kicked off and immediately took the initiative, turning over the opposition’s ball and then proceeded to deprive them of any useful possession for the first 15 minutes. Moor’s first points came after 10 minutes when centre Martin Snidal scythed through the opposition back line to score, converted by fly-half Martin Shelley. The latter then added to this with a penalty kick 5 minutes later but this was negated shortly afterwards by the home side when they kicked a penalty following their first real incursion into Moor’s territory. Moor went further ahead on 25 minutes with a converted try when following slick inter-passing between Snidal and fellow-centre Petr Stourac, full-back Phil Butcher was up in support to take a sublime inside pass to score under the posts. In the final 10 minutes of the half, Upper Eden began to exert pressure via their forwards and were rewarded with a converted try in injury time to make the interval score 17-10.

The second half was virtually all Moor and in 39 minutes they scored a further 32 unanswered points. Snidal produced another surging run and when stopped, flanker Nick Smith was up in support to score under the posts, making the conversion a formality for Shelley. The fly-half then added two further penalties in quick succession and Butcher collected his second try wide out 15 minutes into the half, following a blindside break. Moor continued to press, but a combination of solid defence by the home side and a tendency to kick the ball away instead of keeping it in hand, deprived them of a further score until on the half hour, following a line-out, the ball was turned inside for player-coach Keith Young to charge over to score a converted try. With time running out, Upper Eden began to use their larger forwards to take play into the visitor’s half, but hard-won ball was squandered by their backs as it was spilt and fine dribbling skills from scrum-half Steve Kershaw and Butcher took the ball some 60 metres up-field before Kershaw gathered up to score, converted by Shelley. A last ditch surge by the home side with a minute to go brought a consolation converted try as Moor ran out comfortable 49-17 winners.

This was a most competent and clinical demolition of their opponents by Moor with everyone playing well and atoned for the previous week’s loss when they let a commanding lead slip away. Although the pack was under pressure in the set scrums, the line-outs were dominated by James Ellis and James McIntosh to provide a constant flow of quality ball for the gifted back line. Even the coach driver became an instant fan of the game – especially when he was told that you didn’t have to give the ball back after 6 tackles! He might also have given the side some impetus to do well, as at half-time he threatened the side that they would have to walk home if they failed to win the game. The coaching staff might do well to include this little homily in their motivational talks each time the team plays away in Cumbria.

This Saturday, Moor entertain Kirkby Lonsdale at home, k.o. 3:00 pm.