ICE COLD IN MACC –Sunday 4th December

Geologists tell us that we are living in an Interglacial Period, that is to say the world is between ice ages and, if you prod them with a sharp enough stick to stop them rambling off at a tangent regarding links between temperature and ice volume, they'll tell you we're overdue another one!

No-one can deny that the past few weeks have been dire weather-wise. Winter is setting in and it's the wrong kind of winter; dank and wet and freezing as opposed to deep and crisp and even. Across this ancient land many animals are getting ready to hibernate. Their metabolisms slowing to a point where it's hard to tell whether they're awake or not, they become sluggish and slow to react. Hedgehogs, Dormice and Bats all do this - as do Manchester U11s apparently!

If there's been a theme to this season so far it's that the team isn't fully switched on at the start of a game. The match kicks off at 11.00am and Manchester generally kick off about ten minutes later. The team is great once they get going but slow to start. Unfortunately today, by the time they got their act together Macc had ran three tries in!

This was to be the classic game of four halves. Each half can be summed up by a single word: Woeful, Okay, Better, Great.

Manchester lost the first 'quarter' 2-0 and all credit to Macclesfield for some strong tackling and great passing.

We drew the second quarter after going one down, although much of the play was still in our half. Manchester finally managed to put some pressure on the Macc defence resulting in a well worked try.

The third period ended 0-0 and Manchester were beginning to get a grip on the match towards the end of the half after again being put under some good, hard pressure.

By the fourth Manchester were slowly asserting themselves and showing just what they are capable of, and what they are well known for - good strong, committed tackling and running. They looked the more likely to score this quarter. The hunger was back! They were passing the ball around well and almost got a try but were stopped by a last minute Macc tackle. Although that 'half' again ended 0-0 for Manchester, it was a positive end to an enjoyable encounter against tough opponents.

For the many, many Statitologists out there both teams kicked the ball twice in the whole match - indicating a willingness to try and play their way out of trouble which should be applauded.

Manchester won four out of five of their lineouts, with Macclesfield winning their two. Manchester won all their six scrums with Macc winning their four. Manchester were awarded three penalties as opposed to Macclesfield's three.

If there is a lesson to be learnt here it is to re-discover that 'in-your-face-from-the-first-whistle' intimidating play that was such a feature of our game last season. Find that again and we can beat the toughest opposition.

Report by Rhys – Steph being incapacitated ( or is that decapitated, or indeed even incapable) by an excess of hormones due to severe stress that made her discombobulated (look it up!!). Normal (!) service to be resumed sometime after Christmas.