Published at 12:57, Wednesday, 09 December 2009

AFTER several weeks without a game, Dalton looked rusty in the early going at Kelland Park, conceding three penalties.

SCORE: Paul Jones bagged a try

NW COUNTIES

Dalton

20

Spring View

14

Spring View kicked over the last one for a 2-0 lead before the hosts settled down and started to play some good rugby.

This play was rewarded by a good passing movement that Jonathon Walsh finished off in fine style to make it 4-2.

Paul Jones was next on the scoresheet for Dalton, as he latched onto a good kick from Luke O’Connor to score out wide, 8-2.

Spring View were not going away in this game and were making Dalton work very hard.

In the dying minutes of the first half Dan Sayle slotted over a penalty for a half-time score of 10-2.

The heavy Dalton pitch was making it hard work for both sides, with bthe two sets of forwards working overtime.

Spring View scored next to close the gap to 10-8 and put the game was in the balance.

Dalton began to build pressure at the right end of the field and were rewarded when Sayle converted his own try for a 16-8 advantage.

Dalton again began building pressure on the Spring View line and Matty Bolton managed to squeeze the ball down for a well-deserved try and a bit of breathing space at 20-8.

Spring View never gave up the ghost and scored again to leave the match as a six-point game at 20-14.

Dalton were relieved to hear the final whistle for a win that keeps them right in the mix at the top of North West Counties Division Three.

This was a really tough game for Dalton as Spring View are a big, physical team, with Great Britain amateur Steve Sutcliffe a class act at hooker.

All 17 home players deserve a pat on the back for grinding out the points.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk