Manchester delight in stylish victory

With their last match before Christmas Manchester's u13 were chomping at the bit to put in to practice skills and tactics they had been developing in training. The feeling in the changing room before this game was one of optimism, as Manchester had beaten Aldwinians on their previous encounter, and considerable focus. That is not to say that the players were complacent, as was shown almost immediately from the kick off. Some good aggressive rugby and deft off-loading set Manchester going forward, and ended in a characteristic dash from Louis to place the ball down between the posts. This was quickly converted, and the game swiftly continued.

For the majority of the first half, Manchester were stationed inside the opposition’s 22, hard work on developing phases of play and moving the ball wide paid off as two more tries were scored on the wing by Olly, who effortlessly darted past the outside of his opposite number. Before the half was over, three more tries were to be scored by Manchester. First, a daring rumble down the line by Connor left a wake of Aldwinians defenders strewn on the pitch, before a Tom made a line break near halfway and ran over the try line. Faced with the choice of a simple touch down wide out or one closer to the posts he choose the latter - which also allowed him to knock the last defender over, no surprise there then! The half was ended with another emphatic try from paceman Olly, resulting in his third of the match.

Not withstanding the odd stray pass Manchester played most of the first half with precision and purpose, going through phases, changing the point of attack and working hard to support each other. The forwards won set-piece ball and linked with the backs in some sweeping passages of play. This otherwise flawless half was marred by several feisty off the ball incidents in which the maturing Manchester team stood their ground and left matters to the ref to sort out.

The second half, despite being low scoring, was in some respects far more interesting. Manchester continued with their relentless offence, but were met this time by some solid defending from the spirited Aldwinians boys who had clearly set their mind on winning the second half. It was a half which typified the growing determination of the team, and the reluctance to give in. This resolve was rewarded just before full time, when Connor yet again burst through the line to score, and put any opposition hopes to rest.

Toby "jobs" Jones