THE ONLY DERBY THAT MATTERED

Another lovely October Sunday. Slightly breezy but nice and warm and a great day for a friendly against Stockport at their home ground.

The World Cup final of France v All Blacks was showing in a crowded clubhouse.

The teams did some training – all feeling a bit tired after a busy half term at school - . The coaches decided to play 4 mini games.

Game 1:
Manchester put pressure on Stockport and much of this game was played in Stockport’s half. There were some good examples of the ball being passed out wide although sometimes players needed to check where their support was before they passed it! Manchester also applied great pressure in the scrum. Stockport kept working hard in defence. The first try went to Manchester. Stockport gave away a penalty and after a three pass move Manchester managed to put the ball down over the Stockport try line. The second try came from a well worked series of five passes which saw the ball moved quickly from left to right before reaching the try scorer who rode a challenge to race across the try line and score. Stockport then applied pressure and managed to pull a goal back. Manchester responded strongly and won a Stockport lineout, the ball was fed out for a Manchester player to force himself through the Stockport pack to score

Final score:

Stockport 1 3 Manchester

Game 2:
This game saw Manchester players support each other more. Stockport also came back applying more pressure and this was a harder fought game. Manchester’s first try came with the ball being won from a Stockport scrum. The resulting four pass move ended with the Manchester player racing over the try line to score from a short distance out. The final try was scored after a great solo run by a Manchester player down the wing, running nearly the length of the pitch in the process.

Final score:
Stockport 0 2 Manchester

Game 3:
Both teams were starting to tire now. Manchester had the upper hand but made more mistakes such as knock-ons conceding penalties. Manchester’s rucking was also getting tired and a bit disorganised by this stage.
However, we managed a try to win the game through some strong ripping by a Manchester player who ran through the Stockport lines only to have the ball held up on the try line by some determined defending. He managed to pass the ball on to a support player who scored the try.

Stockport 0 1 Manchester

Game 4:
Two pooped teams but still out there. Again, penalties were being conceded but both teams kept working hard. Towards the end of the game, Manchester showed what they are capable of, with a fab try resulting from fantastic support and game awareness by the whole team. It was a great pass out from the maul straight to an on-rushing Manchester player in the Outside Centre position who ran at the opposition, drawing a man in before making a short pass to another Manchester player who executed a loop pass. With another short pass to a support player the ball was placed down over the Stockport try line. It was superb to watch and without a doubt the best try scored so far this season by our boys!

Stockport 0 1 Manchester

So, a good morning’s rugby for Manchester Under 11’s and the All Blacks ( France 7 All Blacks 8!).

We won’t mention the Manchester football derby result here!