1st XV
Matches
Sat 18 Oct 2014  ·  South Lancs/Cheshire Division One
West Park (St Helens)
45
25
Manchester Rugby Club
1st XV
Defence Goes West...

Defence Goes West...

www.manchesterrugby.co.uk20 Oct 2014 - 20:49
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If games were decided on territory and possession, this would have been a close match...

...for as long as they are decided on points however, a solid defence is going to come in handy!

Manchester were on the scoreboard first with a Doug Day penalty (0-3) in the opening minutes. The lead was short-lived however as a soft try was scored from the restart and the hosts were up and running at 7-3. When a second try was virtually shepherded through minutes later, a dispiriting 14-3 gap had opened up in as many minutes.

The first quarter was marked by a third West Park try which was ran in along the left wing with no resistance. Only a foot in touch would have denied the score because the defence weren’t going to prevent it, and West Park were 19-3 to the good.
Manchester then got themselves back into the game, finally using their field position. A second penalty from Day (19-6) was added to by a catch-and-drive try, taken over by Karl Higginson, on the scoresheet yet again! An excellent conversion by Day from out wide and into a swirling wind closed the gap to 19-13 with half an hour played.

Any momentum was rudely stopped by yet another try from the restart into a strong wind. Although West Park were lucky when the ball was blown back to them, they must have thought it was Christmas when a carbon copy try was gifted along the same touchline as previously. The bonus point was earned/given as they reached 24-13.

By rights that should have been the end of the first half scoring but the match was effectively won as steady but unnecessary progress was made from West Park’s own 10 metre line. By the time the move had reached Manchester’s 22, it was simply a case of where to score, and under the posts was chosen to close the half with an unassailable 31-13 lead.

If the team’s performance was disappointing, that couldn’t be said for individuals. Harry Noar, for example, was immense throughout, following Tom Fantom’s lead in the pack. Matt Davies showed no concern for his own well being with a magnificent kick and chase, and such commitment hinted at a better second half performance to come after “words” were spoken at half time.

When Park were reduced to 14 men and with Manchester on the attack, there were memories of last season’s comeback at the same ground. Such hopes were dashed when a sixth soft try was conceded from a failed Manchester attack so that the last quarter was reached at 38-13.

The second half stats would have showed fairly even territory and possession but the damage had been done and Manchester’s heads were understandably down. West Park’s final score came courtesy of a half-hearted hoof upfield from within Manchester’s 22. When this was gathered gratefully but unexpectedly by the home attacker, little attempt was made to stop the score rising to 45-13.

The last few minutes saw a revival of sorts, helped considerably by a couple of yellow cards for Park. As the game opened up, Manchester asserted themselves, first with a forwards’ try driven over by Alex Coyne. The backs then opened their account with the space created as a result of the home side’s poor discipline, as Mark Bolton broke through deep into injury time (converted by Day) to finish the game at a more respectable, but still disappointing, 45-25.

This was a poor result but several players can hold their heads high after brave and stubborn performances. The wins will deservedly come soon for these individuals and for the Manchester team chosen to support them.

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Match details

Match date

Sat 18 Oct 2014

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One
Team overview
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