Whaley sees positive signs

Photo: PICTURE by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

SURROUNDED: Carl Gemmell, of Fitton Hill Bulldogs, has nowhere to go against Ashton Bears ‘A’.

RUGBY:

COACH Mick Whaley is hopeful that Fitton Hill Bulldogs will get off the mark sooner rather than later in Division Four of the North-West Counties League.

The local side went ahead against Ashton Bears ‘A’ — Joe Tindall’s try was converted by Martin Swain — and the scores were locked together at 10-10 in the second half after Aaron Fleming had crashed over.

However, a flurry of points in the last 10 minutes handed the visitors a 22-10 victory.

Whaley, in his first term at the club, said: “I can’t fault the players for the hard work they are putting in on the training pitch.

“They are a focused bunch and everyone can see how much they have come on.

“We struggled a bit in defence early on in the season, but that’s sorted out, so we’re getting there.”

Stuart Gradwell had a stand-out game at full-back for the Bulldogs.

He collected every high ball, was strong in the tackle and quick to run hard at the Bears line.

The Bulldogs will attempt to pick up their first points of the campaign at home to Westhoughton Lions on Saturday.