Sat 15 Jan 2022
For the third time this season Uttoxeter and Longton squared off against one another, and the Potteries side left Oldfields with 5 points in a game that again showed Uttoxeter's promise but missing killer instinct.
Uttoxeter returned to Oldfields after a heavy loss away to Leek, but were hoping to put a marker down early for 2022. Coach Donald Hayes had a strong squad to pick from, as players had recovered from the dangers of Christmas. Adam Tortoishell and Sam Woolley were at prop, with Nathan Fletcher playing at hooker. Brothers Gregor and Tom Hayes continued in the second row, with Scott Rockley, Joel Walkaden and Aaron Lakin in the back row. James Deaville played scrum half, whilst Lewis Bain controlled the play from 10. Skipper Tom Sherratt played centre with Henry Knox, and Mark Springall and James Gill played on the wings. Ben Marshall slotted in at full back again, whilst on the bench Tom Conlon, Luke Bebbington and Sam Bassett filled a talented bench. Arguably, this was one of the strongest team that Hayes had selected all season.
The pitch was a bit thin on grass, the foggy weather making visibility imperfect and the temperature was bordering on freezing, so the chances of a free flowing game were lacking. Longton started as well as Uttoxeter started poorly. From kick off, Longton pressured Uttoxeter in their 22 and scored the first try with only 2 minutes on the clock. Some huge running lines from the massive Longton side (and admittedly poor tackling) meant Longton were able to find the corner with little resistance. The conversion was missed, and the men in orange and black found themselves on the back foot immediately. 0-5.
The home side responded well as they woke up to the game, competing strongly at the breakdown and winning a penalty 40 metres out. Going for the sticks, Marshall dispatched the penalty and brought the game to 3-5. But again, Longton played to their strengths and battered Uttoxeter at the fringes of the ruck until they eventually managed to get over the line again. The conversion was good and Longton were dominating. 3-12.
Uttoxeter were starting to get frustrated as they couldn't get their backs into the game and Longton were stifling any forays forward. These frustrations were compounded when Knox was sent to the sin bin for an innocuous looking challenge the referee deemed suitable for a yellow card. To the credit of the home side, they held out without much trouble and when Knox returned, Uttoxeter made a good fist at the Longton line. However, the pressure amounted to nothing and it was Longton who scored on the stroke of half time with a pick and go under the sticks, easily converted and the score was 3-19.
The second half, without exaggeration, was all Uttoxeter. Attack after attack, wave after wave, came forward. All three substitutes, Conlon, Bassett and Bebbington, came on but there was still to be no breakthrough. Longton were pinned in their own 22 for huge swathes of the half and Uttoxeter failed to breach their wall of defence. A mixture of bad luck, good defence and suspect decision making meant Uttoxeter were unable to make the scoreboard sweat, and it was Longton who managed to get a 4th try - and a bonus point - after a break through the middle from a rampaging prop. Tackled just short, the ball was recycled and put wide and the Potteries side were up 3-24.
Too little too late, it was the home side that had the final say. Spreading the ball about with some lovely hands, Uttoxeter's own battering ram Knox barreled over his opposite number before being taken down in the 5 metre line. A penalty was awarded for not rolling away, so Knox stood up, tapped the ball and walked under the sticks unopposed to touch it down. Marshall converted with a quick drop goal and the score was 10-24.
There was still just enough time for Uttoxeter to almost steal a losing bonus point as their expansive second half passing meant front row Conlon threw a 20 yard bullet pass to captain Holland who ran into the corner, but the referee called a marginal forward pass despite Holland finishing expertly under pressure. Moments later the final whistle was blown and not for the first time this season Uttoxeter will be frustrated to have left the field empty handed.
Joel Walkaden was named Man of the Match for his excellent defensive display.
Elsewhere, Uttoxeter 2nd XV were again disappointed as their scheduled game against Longton 2nd XV was cancelled, but that will be rearranged for later in the year. Uttoxeter/Leek Colts beat Longton Colts 10-0 in a competitive game that had to be ended early after a serious injury to a Longton player. We wish him all the best.
Finally, the club received more sad news over the Christmas period as Marley Shaw, 2 year old daughter of 1st team player Cal Shaw and his partner Charley, was diagnosed with leukaemia. She has recently returned home from Queen's Medical in Nottingham to continue her fight. The club and local community are aiming to raise as much money as possible for both Marley's family and the hospital. So far, over £15,000 has been raised for this cause and we ask anyone wanting to help goes to our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and ideas of how to get involved. Tickets for our charity raffle and auction are available from the club, all proceeds going to the above cause. We want to thank the town for their generous support so far and hope they continue to engage with us to get as much for Marley as possible.
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