Tigers roar back to victory

Nine different players scored tries this week as the workload was shared out in the most complete team performance by the U7s to date.

It was lucky number 7 for Luke this week as he ran in 7 tries for the Tigers as they overwhelmed a developing Congleton team who had an impressive turnout, bringing a squad of 15 players.

The Tigers cruised into an early lead in the tie in the opening game with Luke doing much of the damage on his way to a 4-try haul in the game. Eddie, Lightning Ben, Taylor and Ewan each weighed in with a try as Manchester ran out convincing winners 8-3.

Congleton were caught cold as Manchester were quicker off the mark at every restart, putting so much pressure on the visitors that they were forced into touch several times, the turnover ball giving chances for Manchester to stretch their lead.

The homes side’s greater experience was telling with Manchester comfortable in possession, rarely ceding territory to close out Congleton with something to spare.

Game 2 was a different affair with Congleton drawing first blood and matching a Manchester side who suffered from over-confidence, spurning several opportunities to put pressure on the visitors’s try line.

Another try from Luke and a lung-bursting 40-yard drive from James kept the Tigers in the game, going into the interval at 2-2. There was little between the two sides deep into the second half with 4 tries shared until with 60 seconds to go Frank made it 5-4.

Pushing hard for the equaliser with the seconds ticking away, a fatal forward pass by Congleton saw the ball turned over with James again breaking free to secure a match-winning 6-4 victory.

A pulsating third game was played with flair and commitment in equal measure. Tags were taken by both sides with only Manchester’s greater positional sense giving them the edge.

A brace of tries from Eddie put Manchester in a good position early on, Luke again supporting the side with confident solo efforts. Lightning Ben (2) and George were Manchester’s other try scorers in a 7-5 victory that was more emphatic than the scoreline suggested.

Both teams played the match in good spirit with little intervention needed from the refereree. The Tigers now finally have a training week to build on their skills before the next home game on Feb 21 against Caldy.

Player of the week: James, who scored 2 superb solo efforts in game 2 to keep the match heading in Manchester’s favour. Well done.

This week’s magnificent Sevens (tries scored in brackets): Eddie (3), Alex (2), Ewan (1), Lightning Ben (3), Ben H, Frank (1), James (2), Taylor (1), Luke (7) and George (1).