2nd XV
Matches
Sat 13 Oct 2012  ·  Cheshire Cakes Division 2 South
Anselmians 2
29
32
Manchester Rugby Club
2nd XV
Tries: K Higginson (2)Conversions: C Lloyd (2)Penalties: C Lloyd
Manchester 2's clinch first win of the season

Manchester 2's clinch first win of the season

Paul Farrington20 Oct 2012 - 02:24
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In a tight contest Manchester leave it until the final play of the game to grab their first win of the season.

With a number of injuries and unavailability’s plus a number of late cry offs in the First XV there were a few changes from last week’s squad to travel to Anselmians. There was a return for Gareth Williams, Calum Baines and Calum Hendry for their first run out of the season, Ant Forrest-Hilton made his senior debut at centre, Rick Carr and Tim Harper were drafted in from the 3’s at the 11th hour when there game was postponed and Backs coach James Beane hotfooted it down the M56 to help make up the numbers. With captain Paul Farrington sidelined due to injury it was left to Fly Half Chris Lloyd to lead out the side.
With both teams still looking for their first win of the season it was always going to be a tight game and it was the home side that got off the mark in the opening 10 minutes scoring an unconverted try. Manchester responded 3 minutes later when Anselmians where penalised at the ruck, allowing Lloyd to slot over the penalty. Using the advantage of the slope Manchester managed to pin the home side in their own half. Eventually the home side managed to break out and some sloppy defending from Manchester lead Anselmians scoring under the post to go 12-3 up. Manchester reclaimed possession from the restart and with the ball eventually finding Ant Walker the young Full Back used his pace to round the opposition defence to go in at the corner for his first of 3 tries for the day. Making amends for their earlier defensive blip the visitors’ line held firm and with neither side adding to the score board the first half ended 12-8.
Playing up hill in the second half Manchester knew they had to step up another gear but it was the home side again who struck first going 17-8 up with a converted try. Undeterred the Manchester pack took the game to Anselmians with strong carries from back rows Higginson& Williams and lock Dom Thomas. This provided a perfect platform for the backs and it wasn’t long before Walker was over for his second of the day with Lloyd adding the extras. From the restart Manchester were back deep in Anselmians territory and not wanting the backs to have all the fun, Higginson crashed over the line to put the visitors in front for the first time in the match. The try again successfully converted by Lloyd.
The home side quickly regained the lead with a converted try and started to threaten the visitors try line. The Manchester defence managed to hold firm, especially back row Zee Khan whose tackle count and work rate throughout the game was fore nominal. With no way of breaking down Manchester’s defence, the Anselmians 10 opted for a successful drop goal to put the home side 7 points ahead.
With 20 minutes still left on the clock the Manchester forwards took control and Walker once again got his hands on the ball to complete his hat trick for the afternoon. Manchester continued to battle hard and keep the home side at bay and with 5 minutes left on the clock the introduction of James Beane to the game playing alongside Chris Gough saw the pair harp back to their Woodhouse Grove School days.
With time running out Manchester, determined not to lose out narrowly went through multiple phases while camped on the home side’s line. With time up and the ref playing advantage Beane forced his way over the line only for the ref not to award the try (we all still think he was held up but beanie swears he grounded it) . MoM Higginson took the quick tap and forced his way over the line to give Manchester their first win of the season.

Squad: 1) Rick Carr, 2) Calum Baines, 3) Matt Wilde, 4) Dom Thomas, 5) Lucas Shelbourne), 6) Zee Khan, 7Karl Higginson (2T, MoM) 8) Gareth Williams 9) Richard Leach 10) Chris Lloyd (c) (2C,1P), 11) Josh Wilde, 12) Ant Forrest-Hilton, 13) Calum Hendry, 14) James Hoggard, 15) Ant Walker (3T).
Subs: 16) Tim Harper (for Carr 35mins), 17) Chris Gough (for Higginson 58mins-62mins & Baines 70mins) 18) James Beane (for Williams 75mins)

Match details

Match date

Sat 13 Oct 2012

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Cheshire Cakes Division 2 South
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

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