- University Rugby League Regional Game
- North West v North East
- 3.30pm, Saturday 1st December 2018
- JMO Sports Park
After a delayed kick off, both sides slugged out the opening minutes of the game with home side Jordan Cella and Conner MacCallum going hard against counterparts Craig Banks and Charlie Fothergill. As became the story of the match, the North West seemed a more cohesive team, with the North East demonstrating plenty of ability but lacking in finishing quality.
Alex Eckley broke the deadlock, with a try from the centre of the park to put the North West ahead. Lewis Fairhurst was on target with the boot, but failed to convert his next attempt four minutes later when Jobe Roxby finished a flowing move to the wing, beating his opposite number to the line.
Despite some challenging attacking plays from the North East, spearheaded by Stephen Gibbs, they were unable to penetrate the solid defence of the home side, keeping the score 10-0 at the break.
With the mercury falling in the thermometers and the rain lashing down, James McDaid increased the North West's margin, with Fairhurst adding the extras. Eckley bagged his second try shortly afterwards in a carbon copy of his first try, but Fairhurst's aim was wide of the post.
On the hour mark, McDaid went in again after a strong run and accurate hands from the halfback pairing of Nathan Taylor and Alex Smith. Fairhurst found his mark to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Interchange player Jack Thopson was next to strike, finishing fine piece of play out wide. Fairhurst unfortunately for the hosts was off target.
Smith had the final word for the home side with a try of his own, following a jinking run through the flagging North East defence. Fairhurst added the extras and sealed a lock out, 36-0 the final score.
North West: Lewis Fairhurst, Jobe Roxby, James McDaid, Dan Munt, Harry Warburton, Nathan Taylor, Alex Smith, Andy Joy, Harry Godfrey, Jordan Cella, Will Spencer, Conner MacCallum, Alex Eckley. Interchanges: Josh Molloy, Reece Cumiskey, Sam Cunningham, Jake McLaughlin, Corrie Bennie, Rob Pritchard, Jack Thompson.
Tries: Eckley (13, 44), Roxby (17), McDaid (42, 60), Thompson (65), Smith (73)
Goals: Fairhurst 4/7
North East: Jack Quinn, Joe Blood, Sean Croston, Billy Sturdy, Adam Riding, Tom Wilcox, Stephen Gibbs, Charlie Fothergill, Rob Dessington, Craig Banks, Charlie Frost, Jacob Sharp, Jack Earl. Interchanges: Danny Charlton, Sam Norris, Sam Walker, Agnel Agbo, Will Holt, Sean Henney, Anthony Dyne.
Referee: Aaron Moore
