Manchester battle to victory against well-matched opponents

BY TOBY JONES:

Manchester played host to a strong Widnes side in one of the key games of their Lancashire Cup pool. Like England before them there was some pressure on Manchester to maintain thier form having played exciting and expansive rugby in their recent outings. It is possible that last week’s victory had gone to a few players’ heads when, having been allocated the 1st XV changing rooms, it's iPod system was cranked up to Glastonbury volume levels yet still drowned out by the team's pre-match "sing a long" yodelling!

Kicking off in crisp conditions, on a well prepared surface, into a slight breeze Manchester made steady progress to the Widnes try line and dominated territory in the early exchanges. Some good interplay between both forwards and backs saw a try held up over the Widnes line. This close call seemed to spur Widnes on but had exactly the opposite effect upon Manchester as the game became focussed in the middle of the field with neither team gaining any meaningful ascendency. The Manchester forwards stuck to their task and were the equal of the Widnes eight while the visitors were more effective with the ball in hand. Manchester's inexperienced mid-field giving far too much space to their opposite numbers. This threat kept Manchester under pressure and during the middle section of the first half Manchester's defence looked decidedly shaky. This Widnes pressure eventually allowed them to advance up field and their endeavour was rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts. For the first time this season we saw an u13 opt for a shot at goal - you could tell this was a cup match! The kick was successful and Widnes were 3 points a head. A change of personnel in the centres went someway to neutralising the Widnes threat, put more structure around Manchester's play but reduced some of our attacking options. Although Manchester managed the apply pressure as half-time approached Widnes had their own opportunities and with a score of 0 - 3 at the whistle it was clear the two teams were well matched.

Halftime: Manchester 0 - 3 Widnes

With Manchester now chasing the game they started the second half with a bang. Unusually Louis caught the restart but not unusually he spotted a gap pinned his ears back and dashed to within 10m of the Widnes line before being hauled down by the speedy Widnes centre. Buoyed by this burst and the enthusiastic support of the home fans Manchester's performance improved dramatically as the second half progressed. Normal service was resumed when the ball was recycled from a mid-field drive and moved quickly down the line to Ollie who out-paced his opposite number and crossing in the corner had the good sense to touchdown under the post allowing Ned to (…just) make the conversion.

Controlled Manchester play allowed them to advance to within a few meters of the Widnes line but a sudden out break of "goal line fever" saw too many Manchester players trying to score themselves when the space was outside and then conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck. Alert to Manchester's over commitment of players to the narrow channel Widnes took a quick tap and moved the ball to their Centre who ran the length of the pitch to score a try under the posts which was then converted (Manchester 7 - 10 Widnes).

Manchester immediately applied pressure, an interception by Mattie being thwarted by a last ditch cover tackle. Play gravitated back towards the Widnes line with a rare interchange of passes again putting Ollie in some space. Working hard he again managed to cross the line but this time Widnes kept him in the corner leaving the try unconverted (Manchester 12 - Widnes 10). The remainder of the game was a pulsating, if somewhat error strewn affair, as both sides tried to play to their strengths and close the game out. After building several phases of play Manchester camped in the Widnes 22 as the final whistle approached. Squandering several overlaps in favour of cutting back inside Manchester were fortunate to keep recycling the ball when it eventually found its way to Louis who darted over the line to score. Although not an easy kick Louis asserted that he could get it and was allowed to take the conversion......he missed.

Fulltime: Manchester 17 - 10 Widnes

Although nerve-racking for the coaches this was an entertaining (lead changed hands 4 times) and close-fought game played and supported in the very best spirit.

Mention should go to the Manchester line out who performed solidly against a tall and well coached Widnes team. However Manchester failed to convert several scoring opportunities with players cutting back when they should have passed and supported, possession was gifted back to Widnes with the ball being lost in contact and far too many silly penalties (more in that game then the preceding 3!). Lots to work on in training.

…and finally. Whilst being sent to address a velcro failure on one of the post protectors the Manchester coaches were impressed with the ingenuity of Milo & Max in using what appeared to be a garment of some description to re-attach it. It was not until we noticed that the "garment" had Max's little sister inside it, and that they had just told her to hold it up, that our admiration faded. A special thank you to little Molly Hanson and once Bev reads this you two will be in a load of trouble!