Manchester under 11's - runners up in Lancashire Cup Final

Lancashire Cup Finals Day – Sunday 2nd April 2011-04-05

The U11’s went to Preston confident of a good showing. Drawn against Preston whom we had lost to a few weeks earlier, Widnes who we had drawn against earlier in the season, and Sedgley Park whom we had beaten twice in the qualifying stages of the competition.

First up – Preston Grasshoppers, who we knew from recent experiences were a good team – especially in the backs. Ciaren rallied the troops and we were off. Forward power in evidence from Manchester, determined rucking and inventive line out ball from Max and Pat. Luke was all over the scrum half – Tom Walsh burst through only to be tackled short of the line. HT 0-0 – Preston knew they were in a game. In the second half Preston had clearly worked out that they wouldn’t win this in the forwards. They spun it out to the backs, but met crunching tackles from Matt, Josh, Ben and the 2 Tom’s. The majority of the 2nd half was played in Manchester territory, and the pressure just kept on coming. Finally it told when, from a 5 metre scrum, Preston moved it quickly out wide to score in the corner. Preston celebrated this try like a victory – they were relieved! Preston had, arguably the best (non Manchester) player of the tournament at centre, and he was pulling the strings for them. Towards the end he picked the ball up inside our half and evaded 4 tackles before touching down – FT 0-14, a tale of what might have been, but no doubting that Preston were relieved to have this one out of the way.

Next up – Sedgley Park, who had clearly improved from the team Manchester had beaten in the qualifying rounds. Once again Manchester forward power drove us on. Will Marsden and Matt B at the fore. Sedge rarely threatened the Manchester line, but we couldn’t get the ball over their line – it was a bit like the Preston game, but in reverse. Cool heads needed lads – maybe a slick move out in the backs ……….. or give it Max who’ll crash over, job done!! Pat adds the extra’s. Time for Luke to pick the ball up, battle forward, get tackled, get up again, drive it forward, get tackled, get up …. and score!! Pat adds the conversion and that’s that sorted. FT 14-0. First win on the board!

The final game against Widnes was simple – win to go through to the Cup Semi, lose or draw and play in the Plate Semi. Widnes were confident, and why not – they were very unlucky to lose to Preston .... but so were we. They have great backs ....... but so do we. They’ve really improved this season (so say’s their coach) ...... and so have we – game on!
As in the previous games we dominated in the forwards – could we get it out to the backs. 2 passes later Dan W is on his way, but he’s tackled short of the line. Ever reliable forwards move it on – Widnes break and are very slick getting the ball out – Josh Doyle wraps up their centre and we turn the ball over – it’s a great end to end game. They might have had the slick passing, and great handling, but when you need inspiration look to the skipper – and how many times does Ciaren pick up and charge for the line. Only 1 needed this time. Manchester boys in the Cup Semi. FT 7-0.

Semi Final versus Fleetwood – Another physical battle against a top team. They had the ball over the line twice, but dropped it both times as we kept pressurising the ball right to the end. Both teams were tired, neither team deserved to lose. Right at the death, though, Tom Walsh flashed down the line and looked as though he could steal it for Manchester. Great tackle by the Fleetwood Full Back, and that was the last action. The finalists would be decided by 5 drop kicks. Pat, Luke, Tom Walsh, Ben Haspell and Tom Jones went into the firing line (5 sets of Mum’s and Dad’s all praying that their son wouldn’t miss). Fleetwood missed their first kick. Mr reliable (Pat) slotted his, Fleetwood scored their second after a retake, Luke slotted his (even though Richard thought he’d missed it!). 2-1 Manchester. Fleetwood scored their third and Tom Walsh adds drop kicking to his list of achievements. 3-2 Manchester. Fleetwood miss their fourth, and Ben H puts Manchester into the final. TJ has the look of ‘hey, I’d have scored mine – no problem’. Manchester win 4-2 on penalty drop kicks.

Final versus Preston – clearly we knew what to expect, but they did too! It was a great game for our first appearance in a final – every player stepped up and gave everything. What ultimately let us down were the penalties we conceded, especially deep in our own half. The final score was 14-0 to Preston – many congratulations to them, they are clearly a very good team. What about the progress Manchester U11’s have made, though, this season. Broken the Stockport ‘duck’, and now appear in a Cup Final. Well done to:
Barty, Aden, Sam Bennion, Ciaren, Matt Buckingham, Will Cahill, Pat, Josh Doyle, Josh Finucane, Matt Graham, Ben Haspall, Tom Jones, Will Marsden, Max, Luke, Tom Walsh and Dan Willougby. Great day had be one and all – parents too !!