Manchester 2s 34 - Broughton Park 3s 22

Manchester 2s 34 Broughton Park 3s 22

After last season’s all too well publicised problems at Manchester which led to the 2s having to withdraw from the North West Leagues it was great to see the team run out last Saturday.

The new squad, under the management of coach Hugh McGee, had a fresh young look to it consisting of a healthy number of u19 and u20 players with the addition of some (slightly) older and more experienced heads to balance the youth, and also Jamsey who really messed up the average age!

I am afraid the author of this piece missed the entire second half but is pleased to report a bonus point win for the 2s in their first game together. Both debutant Richard Greenway and returning Manchester Uni student Robert “Sackey” Kyei ran in a brace being careful not to score again and trouble the bar staff later in the day. The try scoring was capped off by Chris “Rodney” Lloyd. The additional points slotted by yet another debutant, Dan Lyne, our resident stato on loan from Sale Sharks. Matt “no nickname yet” Batterbury did not score a hotly disputed try which apparently the ref apologised for not giving after the game – of course he did Matt!

On a serious note it was great to see the 2s, consisting of all but 2 players who have played junior or senior rugby at Manchester, running out again. Add to this the 12 players who have come through M&J ranks that later represented the 1st XV against Loughborough Students and it is clear for all to see that the club is now starting to achieve the aim of bringing the talent from the hugely successful Manchester M&J section through to the senior ranks.

Back to the game- the guys got off to a great start but fair play to our visitors who fought back well to take a 20-22 lead. At this point there were fears that the lack of pre-season, playing uphill into a wind, the excess of the delights of summer hols in the Med and a lack of experience may have seen the 2s come up short. Not the case though as the guys responded to the pressure to run out 34-22 winners.

Quote of the day from Briggsy watching his Sale colleague Dan Lyne attempting the first conversion from the far touchline, “not a flipping (or words to that effect) chance mate” as the ball wobbled over for the additional 2.

Next weekend Manchester face a challenging trip to Wirral to face the form team of week 1.

Manchester 2s, the development team at Manchester train every Tuesday and Thursday at Grove Park alongside the 1st XV, 7pm start. We welcome any players who would like to play to come and join us. Over the coming weeks we see the return of our student players and hope that soon we will be fielding a 3rd senior team in pool matches.

Best Regards