Warrington edge classic encounter

On a sunny Autumn morning the team ventured down the M56 to play a strong and well drilled Warrington side. Kickoff was at 11.05 after players from both sides lined up together for an impeccably observed minutes silence to pay their respects to the armed forces on this Remembrance Sunday.

Session 1 Manchester 5-0 Warrington
Both sides started well showing good handling and control on a muddy pitch. The Warrington pack worked well as a unit to move the ball up the field and spent most of the opening ten minutes camped out near the Manchester try line, but they were faced with an impenetrable defensive wall of Red shirted steel. The Wednesday night tackling sessions paid dividends as the lads soaked up everything Warrington had to throw at them before the forwards doggedly drove Warrington all the way back into their own 22. Manchester’s efforts were rewarded when Charlie picked up from a ruck near the home 10 metre line and passed the ball to Ciaran who broke a tackle and sprinted away into the corner to score a captains try and post the first points of the game. Possibly stunned, the home ref blew early to end the most intense session of the season, advantage to Manchester.

Session 2 Manchester 0-15 Warrington
The second session followed the early pattern of the first and playing to their strengths the home team forwards probed and tested the resolute Manchester defensive line before eventually driving over for a well deserved equaliser. Slightly rattled, Manchester quickly conceded a second try when the only instance of loose tackling in the game let the home team go over under the posts but a simple conversion was missed. Manchester came storming back and the home team demonstrated equally admirable levels of defensive tackling. The game ebbed and flowed until just before the end of the session when Warrington were awarded a disputed third try when one of their big forwards went over, Greg appeared to turn and hold him up but the try was given, who’d be a referee!
On paper the session ended 3 tries to nil but in reality there was nothing between two fully committed and resolute teams putting on a great display of u13 rugby.

Session 3 Manchester 12-5 Warrington
Stung, Manchester were quickly on the offensive and secured an early degree of control in the third session. The red tide constantly tested the home defence which eventually broke when Charlie again showing good distribution from the back of a ruck moved the ball out to Sean who went on an arcing run before breaking a tackle and diving over in the corner. Manchester were now on top as they chased an equalizer in what had become an absorbing encounter. Both sides were a credit to themselves and their coaches, showing good defensive lines, strong in the tackle and being fully committed to the cause. After a good Warrington drive into the Manchester half the ball was won back again and passed to Tom W who set off on a searing 70 yard run swerving and sidestepping his way through the home defence to touch down under the posts. With the game now tied, the pressure was on Tom J who stepped up and coolly slotted the conversion to put Manchester ahead again with 7 minutes left on the clock.
Fair play to the home team who refused to lie down and they came back again showing good handling and movement to create an overlap and managed to get the ball down over the Manchester try line in the corner to regain the lead.
Withstanding a final effort from Manchester, the game finished with the home coaches urging their team to kick the ball out to end the game. The final whistle was blown, Warrington had just edged it 20-17 and regardless of the result, both teams should take considerable pride in their morning’s performance and participation in a classic encounter.

Epilogue
Two sessions won but a narrow 17-20 defeat. Tom Walsh deservedly picked up the man of the match award not just for his great runs but his totally committed tackling and defensive work. Though we had a few established players missing, all 18 lads contributed and demonstrated a level of intensity and passion that will see us do well as the season progresses.
A warm welcome back to Josh who added strength to a Manchester pack that was immense throughout as they shaded the battle of the forwards and the backs showed they can defend equally as well as they can run with ball in hand. Well played all – a great team and squad effort which will surely return dividends in next weeks Lancs cup game.