Ovenden 28 Widnes West Bank 31 (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Ovenden 28 Widnes West Bank 31

9:20am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

 West Bank travelled in hope rather than expectation of a good result with nearly a dozen players missing from the teams that played so encouragingly in the successful pre-season. With several players carrying knocks the possibility of a disappointing score was on the cards.

Ovenden opened the scoring through Ash Taylor early on but Jordan Barr finished strongly to level. The home side dominated the rest of the half to open up an 18-4 lead with Chris Geoghegan and Dean McCallion crossing but Barr’s second on the stroke of half time gave the Bears hope at 18-10.

But when the inspirational Ryan Bates and half back Eddie McAdam succumbed to injuries, that saw their contributions finish at half time, the writing was on the wall. However, even as the odds mounted the Bears began to play some scintillating rugby with Jack White crossing for a double and a Richard Arnold effort putting the Bank into the lead for the first time.

Dean Robertson pulled Ovenden back in front but Martin Murphey converted his own touchdown and added a drop goal to finish the scoring.

West Bank host Normanton Knights in the Hattons Solicitor’s National Conference League kicking off at 14.30. Entrance fee is £1. West Bank’s 2nd team fixtures against Blackbrook ‘A’ in the North West Men’s League has been postponed due to their continued involvement in the winter league.