It’s been a long time coming but after three and a half years the Ducks eventually got to play a home game back at Eastham.

Weather was good, the pitch looked pristine and an expectant crowd gathered.

The Mavs acted as cheerleaders from the balcony and a few old faces came down to renew acquaintances, it was great to see Kris Lewis and Wendell amongst many others.

Altrincham Kersal have always provided stern opposition and Saturday was no different.

I commented earlier in the week that in our three previous games we’d had 13 lads making their 2nd team debuts, on Saturday we had two more plus Charlie Carter playing first game for us in three years. Continuity is not something we’ve had so far this season.

The forwards won the game for us and were dominant throughout, even if we did go backwards in one scrum but only one, the line out worked very well and considering we didn’t actually have a hooker, Charlie showed why he’s rated so highly by his peers, a back row who can hit his man, whatever next.

First half tries from, Pricey, TC, Charlie and Ollie Woodcock on debut to one from Kersal was nothing more than the lads deserved, 24 - 5 at the break.

The first twenty minutes of the second half carried on in a similar vein with Kel grabbing a well deserved try 31 - 5, now people often use the expression “a game of two halves” on Saturday we had a “half of two halves”, in the last 20 minutes we couldn’t buy a decision, penalty, penalty, penalty, two tries from Kersal gave a somewhat flattering full time score 31 - 17.

Saturday was a great team performance, Ollie and Taylor on debut were superb, the Upton Express was back and has been sorely missed, Matt Austin showed what a quality player he is, this time playing prop, Captain Cam showed what he’s picked up off Jimbo playing in the Ones. Twinkle Toes Price getting back to his best.

Duck of the Day went to Charlie, absolute quality. Diffy Duck was awarded even before a ball had been passed, when you can’t find your home ground you have a problem so the award went to John Boundy, to be fair to him his navigation is very good, he found Warringtons ground when nearly everyone else couldn’t, he not local, and as never been there so could have been forgiven but I’m not the forgiving type. On the bright side John has been excellent in the two games he’s played for us and there’s a game for him anytime he’s available.

It was Sh-t Shirt day Saturday for our home coming and Sam Cotgrave your shirt was particularly Sh-t, so much so only you could have carried it off.

Cueilles du Canard.
MD