A bright start saw Manchester’s backs testing the Glossop defence with a forwards battle looking unwise and unnecessary on a bright day with a firm pitch. Ironically however the first score came from an untidy lineout which was rescued and then driven over the line as the home side’s technique overcame their heavier opponents (5-0).

Glossop were quick to reply thanks to a penalty (5-3) which was almost immediately cancelled out to restore the 5 point lead (8-3).

The match came to life approaching the first quarter as Matt Beasley was on hand to finish an excellent try made by the running forwards play of Matt Barker, Mikey Williams and Luke Tyrrell, which shredded the Glossop defence. Ian Jinks duly converted to 15-3.

Manchester continued to look dangerous with the ball in hand but Glossop’s tactic to get the ball in the 22 and then let their forwards do their worst paid off after half an hour as they were back to 15-8, forcing their way over the line. For their possession and territory, Manchester would have been a little disappointed to have reached half time with just the one score advantage.

The tight scoreline was corrected with an early second half try when a quick tap-and-go saw Glossop’s defence out of position so that Tyrrell could score out wide, impressively converted by Jinks to make it 22-8.

It wasn’t pretty but Glossop refused to lie down with their pack proving a handful when in possession with the line in sight. Manchester manfully defended from such a position but a gap was eventually found and it was back to 22-13.

Manchester continued to enjoy more territory and a penalty kicked well into the opponents 22 resulted in another forwards’ try after a deft flick of the ball by Sam Davis inside to a charging Brian Ndlovu seemed to have put Manchester well in control. Another fine conversion by Jinks proving more important as the game progressed than it appeared with 25 minutes remaining (29-13).

The one concern was that the penalty count had by now swung in Glossop’s favour but their efforts to run the referee’s awards repeatedly resulted in the ball being spilled and Manchester remained fairly comfortable in defence. With 15 minutes to go that changed as quick lineout possession was worked in field by Glossop, with a brilliant line ran at speed by a Glossop centre that proved unstoppable. A straightforward conversion was again missed to keep the gap reasonable at 29-18 with a quarter of an hour to play.

At this point of the game, Glossop decided that they also had the wherewithal to throw the ball around rather than sticking it up their jumpers, and a well worked try from inside their own half saw the score worryingly narrowed to 29-23 as they touched down under the posts. Bizarrely with a good 10 minutes left (more of that later!), a rushed drop kick conversion was missed, leaving them a converted try behind.

Glossop then proceeded to dominate territory and possession as Manchester’s nerves began to fray and the visitors sensed blood. Manchester defended doggedly, perhaps a little ragged at times, but their determination combined with Glossop’s handling errors prevented a try that seemed inevitable on more than one occasion. The penalty count within metres of the line gave Glossop several opportunities to snatch the win but the red & white line stayed alert, the tackles were made and eventually the home 22 was escaped.

With time well over by now according to the ever reliable supporter’s watches(!), Manchester opted to kick the ball out of play. The expected long blast on the whistle didn’t come as the referee added a little drama to the proceedings, signalling that Glossop could have one more attempt to pinch the game. Fortunately that extra opportunity was not taken, and it was with some relief when he did eventually blow for time no matter how deserved the final result.