In their final pre-season friendly Garswood welcomed Thatto Heath "B" to Birch Grove. Initially this should've been against Little Hulton, but unfortunately they pulled out on Thursday evening. After a lot of messaging and phone calls, Thatto Heath "B" agreed to fill in the fixture. This shows what great strength and depth they have to have 17 lads available for a game in less than 48 hours’ time!

The game kicked off with Garswood receiving, an error from high kick gave Thatto the first real scoring chance, but some great Garswood defence forced the turnover.

Then next set of six saw Garswood struggle to get out of their own half, forced to kick downfield Thatto started their set of six just outside the Garswood half. Garswood then gave away a penalty and after three drives, Thatto opened the scoring. Kick converted, 6-0 to Thatto.

Garswood forced an error from Thatto from the kick off and gave themselves good field position on the halfway line, but a knock on, on the fourth tackle takes away any chance of a scoring play.

A few ordinary sets for each team then finds Garswood trying to run it on the last tackle, the ball is turned over and Thatto gain a penalty for a high tackle. From that they crash over from short range. Kick converted, 12-0.

Some strong Thatto defence forces Garswood to try and chance their arm, but a knock on by the Stags is collected by Thatto who score from 20 metres out. Kick again converted, 18-0.

Thatto then start to turn the screw from the kick off, they go a full 80m and are only denied a try on the last tackle when the winger was deemed to be offside. Garswood try to force their way up the hill to get a score before half time. Some good play sees Garswood go close but they don't trouble the scoreboard this half.

Half time - Garswood 0-18 Thatto Heath "B"

Thatto received the ball from the kick off, but knock on, a great chance for Garswood but they knock on, on the line. Thatto give a penalty away for an incorrect play of the ball gifting possession to Garswood who can't capitalise.

Thatto march up field and gain a penalty for a ball steal with 2 men in the tackle, they score again with the kick converted. Thatto lead 24-0.

Thatto are in the ascendancy now, some great last ditch defence by the Garswood players stop Thatto from increasing their lead. But they can only hold out so long, so quick hands see Thatto go in again. 30-0 they lead.

Thatto are on the Garswood line again and go for a drop goal. A poor attempt as the Thatto 7, kicks the floor rather than the ball.

Garswood have some rare second half possession and create a break to get inside the Thatto 20. The kick on the last is too strong and Thatto have a 20 metre restart.

Thatto end up camping in the Garswood half of the field, after being held up over the line, they run the ball on the last tackle after some lazy Garswood defence. Uncharacteristically, the conversion is missed, Thatto lead 34-0.

From the kick off Thatto go for an offload and the ball is recovered by Garswood, after some strong runs by the forwards close to the line the ball comes wide. Some great quick hands see Micky Bolton score in the corner.

Kick is converted, final score Garswood 6-34 Thatto Heath "B"

Head coach Paul Loughlin said - "Thatto are a really well drilled side and I'm sure we're not the only team they'll do this to, but there was no excuse for some of the mistakes and missed tackles that we made today. This was perhaps a kick that we needed to show us where we need to improve before the season starts. We need to get down training and dig in for our first league game against Blackpool."

Garswood travel to Blackpool on 03/03/2018 to start their League campaign.