Moor 2s gel to take the points in league fixture.

It helps when you’ve got 15 players because we all know just how rare that particular steak is! 15 confirmed in the middle of the week does not always translate into 15 turning up at the allotted time on a Saturday afternoon.

However, as the skipper, Phil Butcher, said in the pre-match talk – “These are the games that you remember because you bothered to turn up and win, against the odds.” 

Such wisdom – he’s bloody well right! Indeed – you don’t enter the Moor Hall of Fame for nothing, eh, Phil!?! 

To be fair, the most pressing problem wasn’t the 15 men (after Aaron was press-ganged into making his Moor debut – how’s the hangover, mate?); it was a positional conundrum – no hooker! This isn’t Rugby League, and the hooker is a pivotal and highly important position, so it was an interesting move to put Stevie ‘Legend’ Lyons (a self-confessed back) into the number 2 shirt (as he’s such an RL expert and aficionado).  Inspirational is not the word – what a cracking decision! He had no idea of what hooking meant since 11 years of age (apart from that visit to Whalley Range a few years back) and proved it by doing all the wrong things right and vice versa – even taking one against the head! His lineout throw was about as accurate as his centre passing – Camelot could build a game on it – after Thunderball comes the Lyons Share! 

What about the match? 

Moor started in sprightly fashion and coped well against the giants in the opposing pack. Indiscretions spotted by the ref allowed Jaz to sand-wedge a couple of penalties to give Moor a 6 point lead before the Oldham juggernaut applied pressure in the home half. Some desperate defence with big hits around the fringes from Murton, Moosa, Richie and Butch kept the visitors at bay, but a spate of penalties ultimately resulted in a try to the Oldham pack, eventually grounding the ball from a maul. The conversion was successful and Oldham took a deserved 7-6 lead.  

It was obvious that Moor had to play an expansive game from 2^nd phase, and this began to take shape as Moor’s support got the upper hand and the backs were unleashed to make substantial yards. First phase suffered more than in recent weeks but Moor capitalised well on possession with Steve, Matt and Sutty making good yardage on a number of occasions. Steve, having a rare run-out at centre, enjoyed himself immensely with many outside breaks. The Oldham response was to make high hits on the Moor marauders which the referee penalised to give Moor kicking chances, duly accepted by Jaz.

Moor gradually crept in front and then managed to maintain a winning margin despite the constant offside infringements by the Oldham backs.  

Butch – what a player! He counter-attacked down the left wing and looked to be gang-tackled by three Oldham defenders before spinning and sprinting away to score in the corner. This gave Moor a lead that they would not relinquish. Matt Goodwin and Sutty were coming into their own and making devastatingly intelligent runs in open play, ably supported by Liam and Steve. It’s like watching a couple of sports coupes in a Go-Kart race – they just ooze class, and revs, and muscle, like Ford Mustangs or Shelby limited editions but with a Prius electric purr. The visitors were tiring up front and Moor were happy to create havoc as their possession stat increased.

Butch did what Gump does – ran his legs off for the cause and set up so many platforms for the team. Life’s like a box o’ chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get – unless the Milk Tray man is on your side.  

Heath marshalled the troops well from stand-off, although he will be the first to admit that his handling was below par.  One spectacular play in his own 22 saw 2 dummies and a break unleash the eager puppy Goodwin for one of the plays of the match. Kondratowicz settled to his task and proved to be a pain in the Oldham backside although he needs to rid himself of the tendency to kick at the wrong moment. Hux proved to be a willing ball carrier and secured possession on many occasions. Brabs and Greg cleared out and counter-rucked on many occasions, and Greg indeed had the run of the match when he brushed aside would-be defenders on a 50 metre rampage from an Oldham restart. 

We say it frequently - the team on paper is important but it’s the team on grass that matters. Last week’s final play draw at Glossop proved that, and today’s whole performance is surely one that the team will not forget.  

Matt Goodwin’s knackers will never forget it anyway! Ouch!