It’s “Business as usual” as Manchester visit Heaton Moor

Conscious that their impressive winning run was starting to set them apart from the pack, a victory hungry Manchester U7’s gathered in the fields of Heaton Moor to take on the latest challenge to their authority.

Following a brief and spirited training session it was nice to be part of a well organised 2 minute silence for Armistice Day, which was well observed by everyone. Well done Heaton Moor for organising.

Due to the number of players it was agreed to play 3 halves, and what a treat it was for the spectators. Lots of excellent running rugby, superb tagging from both sides and some real development in our passing play particularly from Manchester. Not to mention some quite outstanding individual performances. More of that later.

The team; Frank, James, Tom, Will, Bailey, Freddy, Ashwin, Hudson, Arlow and Joe were straight into action. No sooner had James (this weeks Captain) started the game was Frank receiving his first pass and touching down in the left corner. Heaton weren’t going to lie down though and were soon attacking hard. Whilst they too managed to put points on the board, it wasn’t without a really impressive period where Manchester tagged their hearts out. Great tagging by the whole team making Heaton really work hard to earn their points. However Manchester answered this with 2 excellent team tries, first with Will making a mazey run through Heaton’s defence to score, and following some great tagging by Bailey, James and Frank resulting in Manchester winning possession Tom makes it 3:1. Just as we all thought Heaton were about to be over-run its 3:2 following a great pass out of the tackle and suddenly its “game on”. Clearly unimpressed Frank resumes normal order with a try in his favourite corner which really knocked the stuffing out of Heaton 4:2. Heaton managed to grab one back following a forward pass that will rank alongside the Great Wall of China as being the only other man made thing that can be seen from the moon only for Frank to swap corners and run one in on the right. Just before half time Heaton keep the pressure up with a try on the whistle and it’s a well fought 5:4 at half time.

The second half starts and Manchester grab possession through constant pressure from Bailey forcing a turnover which we benefit from straight away with James receiving a pass to set him off on a run to score in the corner. 6:4 and its clear now that Heaton are about to be over-run as within a few minutes it’s 9:5 following tries from Will, Frank and the try of the day from Freddy who skipped through the entire Heaton Moor midfield. It ‘s now just tokenism from Heaton as we swap 2 tries (both by Frank) for 1, the second of which following a superb bulldozing Dallalio-esq run from a tireless Bailey and its 11:6. The tries are now coming thick and fast and the writer is struggling to keep up. Suddenly James has the ball; a quick sprint forward he passes the ball in the tackle to Will who slices the defence in two as he sprints through to score. Our next try sees James taking the play left, passing to Frank who scores despite half the Heaton Moor team hanging onto his shorts. It’s now 13:9 with seconds remaining, yet the Manchester boys aren’t finished. Next is a wonderful team try. George takes the ball forward, passes to Bailey the Bulldozer who ships it out to Frank. Frank slips but gets the ball back out to George who scores. Great try and great support play. Finally in the dying seconds Bailey decides that as reward for his efforts he’s going to get on the scoreboard as well, and he sets off on an unstoppable run to close the half at 15:10.
The third half starts with some fresh legs and as such it was to no great surprise that within a minute we see Hudson apply the pressure forcing Heaton into making a forward pass before adding salt to the wound by speeding in for a try. Heaton were fresher after the break too, but their reply was countered by a determined run by Ashwin who takes the score to 17:11. After another Heaton try they step up their defences, but Manchester’s pressure sees another Hudson try to bring the score to 18:12.
Its nip and tuck this half with both sides trading tries. Our next is a great team show with Bailey passing to Ashwin who moves the ball to George who in turn finds Hudson. Hudson who is likened to the “Shinkansen” (Japans high speed bullet train) shows Heaton his heels again and touches down for another. 19:13.
Two more tries were scored. The first by Arlow who scored with half the Heaton Moor team hanging off his shorts, a great show of strength and making it 21:15 (I think) The rout is complete with a final Hudson try. Full time 22:15…but I may have lost count along the way.

Man of what was a thoroughly enjoyable match to watch was awarded to Bailey.

And Manchester Under 7’s go marching on…