The best attendance of the season (once the prawn sandwiches brigade had got through the turnstiles, that is) saw an early dominance by AK, not converted to points until the end of the first quarter. The manner of that try was frustrating when the defence parted after such a determined start (0-5).

Normal service was resumed however with the visitors camped in the Manchester half but unable to break down an organised defence. It took a while but once Manchester were able to escape their half, their attack actually looked more threatening than AK’s. With Manchester’s back row of Brian Ndlovu, Hendre Fourie and Luke Tyrrell causing problems in the loose throughout, Tyrrell was the first to capitalise as he squirmed over from the back of an attacking scrum to level the points. A great conversion by Ian Jinks put his team in front at 7-5 approaching the half hour. To be fair, the score came from the first venture into the AK 22 but unlike the opposition, Manchester had made the most of their little territory.

The visitors then showed why they deserved to top the league with an impressive offloading game, but their opposite numbers were the equal to it, and it seemed as if the half would finish with an unlikely (based on the territory) lead for Manchester. A second try put paid to that although it appeared that the defence had stood firm and held up a drive towards the line. However the referee was closer to the action than the spectators, albeit on the other side to the ball, and decided after some thought to award the try, edging Altrincham Kersal back into the lead at the break 7-10.

Manchester were immediately back under pressure after the restart and five minutes into the half found themselves 7-17 down. The team refused to capitulate despite this and a further 10 minutes was spent with their defensive resolve severely tested; the tackle count was certainly making it a hard last day at the Grove Park office.

When an opportunity to close the gap was offered with a kickable penalty, confidence was shown as the ball was played instead, moved wide with well timed passes which stretched the AK defence until Dean Hogg was able to use his pace and footwork to score in the corner (12-17).

Altrincham Kersal retaliated quickly and a catch-and-drive from an attacking lineout resulted in a fourth try, again after the referee had taken time to reflect on whether the ball had actually been grounded. The 12-24 gap with a quarter still to play now looked daunting.

Ironically this was the cue for Manchester to show what they are capable of, emulating their opponents offloading game, so that it was actually against the run of recent play when AK effectively put the game out of reach with a try of their own through a tiring defence (12-29).

Nonetheless, with 10 minutes to go, and with thoughts of The Great Escape the previous week at Anselmians, a brilliant break from midfield by Tyrrell gave the home support hope of a repeat showing as the gap closed to 19-29.

Manchester could see the faint opportunity and their style of play showed that they were willing to grab at it. In fact, when Hogg and Gareth Bridgman tore up the left touchline together, it was only a desperate bundle into touch within the 22 that prevented the home side getting within a score.

Time was running out now but the champions were just a little ragged at times as Manchester chose to run the ball back at them at pace. Unfortunately a grandstand finish was denied and the end result was skewed when an unlikely turnover had Manchester in disarray as the ball was ripped from an attacking player. AK effectively turned defence into attack when Manchester were least prepared and earned themselves the final 19-36 scoreline. For their overall territory and possession the score was difficult to argue with but a stubborn Manchester defence and enterprising attack will have felt that they should have finished closer.