A bright start saw the visitors’ defence split asunder for an early converted try to settle the nerves (7-0),before Bowdon’s tactic of using the big kick to gain ground kept Manchester at bay for the best part of half an hour. In fact, two penalties closed the gap to 7-6 before Manchester crossed the line again.
The second try was the inevitable result of a well timed run by Brian Ndlovu, shouting for the ball as he arrived at speed for an unstoppable push to the line (12-6).

Although Manchester seemed well in control of the game, the score remained tight until the first half scoring closed at 3 tries to 2 penalties following a lightning burst down the wing by Dean Hogg, ‘skinning’ his opposite number before cutting back in to score under the posts. At 19-6, the gap was a fair reflection of the first half and a good platform for the home side to push on.

Bowdon’s attempt to play their way out of trouble early in the second half proved misjudged, as was their ambitious pass close to their line, neatly intercepted, to put some daylight between the two sides at 26-6 when Doug Day converted.

A lack of discipline gave Bowdon a glimmer of hope when a penalty decision was questioned and the referee marched play ominously close to the Manchester line. The quickly taken kick took advantage of Manchester’s momentarily disorganised defence to make it 26-11 with half an hour to play.
Manchester were enjoying the freedom of a 4-try bonus point already in the bag, and were happy to move the ball around letting Bowdon chase both the game and the ball. The fourth quarter arrived with Manchester moving to 31-11 as the forwards got in on the act, driving the ball over from a penalty kick to touch deep in the visitors’ 22.

With Manchester now throwing the ball around without pressure, an outbreak of ‘sevens’ rugby seemed to have arrived at Grove Park in the spring sunshine, but the Bowdon defence stuck to their task, despite being run ragged at times. The try of the afternoon resulted at Matt Beasley got hold of the ball from loose play on the half way line, backed himself with a full complement of defenders in front of him, which he somehow eluded for an excellent individual score to make it 36-11 with ten minutes remaining.

Bowdon entered into the spirit of the game, giving up on thelong kick to try to run the ball themselves. Turnovers resulted but it was an exciting spectacle with the ball being spun wide and back again as both teams looked for a gap, even though the result was as sure as these things can be. Some sanity prevailed when Bowdon sent a long penalty to touch to set up an attacking lineout on Manchester’s 22. The referee generously gave the benefit of the home crowd’s doubt to the thrower so that Manchester were unable to contest and the ball was quickly moved to midfield, finding an easy gap to close the scoring at 36-16.

The significance of the result of course was the first home/away double for many a season, building on last November’s momentous 30-28 away win at Clay Lane.