Manchester Go Knuts!

Hurrah – first game of the season! Boy's feelings ranging from itching to get out there, to worrying whether they would be able to kick the ball and all sorts of other concerns such as would there be any sausages left when they got into the club (shortage of bacon was resolved but sausages ran out to be replaced by fish fingers, so no-one starved!)

Weather report – started off warm and humid with shorts making an appearance - you know who you are! However, the drizzle and rain soon made an appearance and those of us sensibly clad were grateful for our hoods.

The decision was made to play 4 games of 15mins.

Game 1:
Manchester started off well putting on some great pressure in the scrum. Knutsford came back with some effective tackles. Manchester did well getting the ball out along the line before making contact. The only try of this quarter came from a pass out wide from a scrum and a solo run down the touchline.
Manchester also made some super tackles with great distances being made to get to some of Knutsford’s fast players.

Score: Manchester 1 – 0 Knutsford

Game 2:
Manchester kept the pressure on Knutsford and managed to get an early try. The ball was ripped during a maul close to the Knutsford try line and a quick, short pass saw the Manchester player over the line. They continued to work at passing the ball out wide and this resulted in a second try despite Knutsford’s best efforts, after a breakdown deep in the Knutsford half the ball was picked up and fed wide for the scorer, who after a short run, crossed the try line. I am reliably informed that the game ended with an attacking scrum.

Score: Manchester 2 – 0 Knutsford.

Game 3:
The teams were getting a bit more tired and this resulted in a game that was messier with some faster play when the ball got out. Manchester scored a try after a good run which was passed at the end to secure the try.
Knutsford’s flyhalf came back at Manchester with fast legs and got the ball down Manchester’s end. There was a short lineout and Knutsford peeled round the front to secure a try.

Score: Manchester 1 – 1 Knutsford.

Game 4:
Manchester put on the pressure on from the start. However, Knutsford never gave up and tackled Manchester into touch. There was a good pick-up by Manchester in the next phase of play and then the ball went out long down the line. Despite Knutsford working hard at defence, Manchester got a try in via a turnover at a lineout. More hard work followed from both teams but Manchester managed to score again after a great deal of pressure put on the Knutsford forwards near their try line. There were another 2 near tries from Manchester before both sides called it a day and went off for lunch!

Score: Manchester 2 – 0 Knutsford.

Thanks to Knutsford for a great first game of the season and for being tough opposition.