Manchester Tigers overrun by Bowdon Hoards

Game 1:
MRC 0v3 Bowdon
As kick off approached the Bowdon Hoards amassed at pitchside as the smaller Manchester Tigers lined up to be picked for this first encounter. Joseph was given the captaincy for the first game and having won the toss, elected to take the game to Bowdon. From the first whistle it was plain to see that the Tigers were going to have their work cut out as the Bowdon players were also well organised in both attack and defence, and so it proved. By half time the score was still deadlocked at 0v0, with neither side able to break their oppositions try line. As the second half began, Bowdon seemed to find their feet fastest and the tigers were now on the back foot, defending stoutly as Bowdon drove forward. A great turnover from William seemed to have averted the Bowdon threat only for him to be driven man and ball back over the Tiger's try line. Confusion reigned and a fumbled ball led to a Bowdon player landing on the ball to claim the first try on the day. Right from the restart the Tigers had the ball ripped from them and again Bowdon pressured well in attack. Once more the Tigers regained possession and unbelievably, the same thing happened again, Bowdon going 2 up when the ball again went loose. As the energy sapped from the Tigers, Bowdon took full advantage and ran in a third to secure a victory that did not truly reflect the endeavours of the Manchester Tigers.

Game 2:
MRC 1v3 Bowdon
Game two saw Charles taking over the captaincy with a new look Tigers that retained only three starters from the opening game. With Bowdon's enormous squad they replaced their whole side with still more unblooded players to call upon. The Tigers were not bowed by the first game and came out strongly with Myles performing his legendary first whistle take down of a startled Bowdon player. Unfortunately Bowdon were fast learners and introduced a side step that left Myles wrong footed time and time again. This game was dominated by one Bowdon player who was literally head and shoulders above all others. He had great hands and lightening pace which led to all three Bowdon tries. Nevertheless, the Tigers still had their chances. Josh exploded from the side of a maul with the ball and with only a simple touch down to claim the first score of the game, Josh inexplicably placed the ball two foot short of the try line and was not able to rectify the mistake before Bowdon cleared their lines. With Bowdon taking the lead through their star player, thoughts were of more of the same from the touchline, but the Tigers were not in the mood to roll over. Luke led the comeback manfully and had arguably his best day of rugby even though victory was never tasted. He was focused, committed and determined to leave his mark on the day and ably supported by the rest of the Tigers he surged over to level the score. This was short lived however with Bowdon using the old tactic of fastest, strongest player to regain their try advantage. The match finished with a 1v3 scoreline that again did not show the commitment of all involved. What did the Tigers have left to give for game 3?

Game 3:
MRC 3v3 Bowdon
No more new starters for the Tigers against yet another fresh team of Bowdon giants. William stepped up to the mark as captain for his final home game before his impending transfer to Shanghai Hairy Crabs, where we wish him all the best in his international career. Bowdon won the toss and elected to take the game to the Tigers. This time the game felt different, their was a determination throughout the Tigers squad that this result was going to be different. The Tigers were ferocious in the tackle and did not let Bowdon use their superior driving strength by taking the man by the legs and toppling the giants. Suddenly it was Bowdon who were looking the more worried, their forward dominance now being questioned by a much smaller but more committed team. From a coaches perspective, it was great to see the Tigers playing as one and all supporting each other. No-one wanted a whitewash and this was as clear as crystal as Josh popped up with the Tiger's first try to level the score after good handling through Ollie, James and Charles. With Bowdon taking the lead again just on half time, the Tigers team talk was crucial. James, Bill, Luke, Myles and Bruno came on to great applause as Alex, Charles, Harrison, Joe and Joseph bowed out, exhausted from their endeavours but proud of their team efforts, and so they should have been as every player had given their all. William took the restart and everything clicked. The tackles flew in from Bowdon, but great rucking and mauling gave the Tigers the momentum and confidence to play with ball in hand and Luke went over to level the scores once more. Again, Bowdon used their battering ram to reassert their advantage and it was once more, down to what was left in the tank for the Tigers...well, they didn't disappoint. Everyone of them wanted the ball, they were determined to get something and every hit had the Bowdon players on the back foot. Momentum was with the Tigers and a bursting run through the middle saw first Bill and then Myles setting up a try scoring position. From his position at scrum half, Josh saw the chance, passed out to William who unselfishly fed to Luke to see him powering over for his third of the day to bring a draw home for the fighting Tigers, as the final whistle blew.

Today's totally awesome Tigers were (tries in brackets): Alex, Bill, Charles, Max, Harrison, James, Joe, Josh(1), Luke(3)MAN OF THE MATCH, Joseph, Myles, Ollie, Thomas, William and Bruno. Well done to all the boys, they were up against a much larger, more powerful squad and yet by the third game, it was Bowdon on the back foot. Lots of promise and an exciting match day coming up against Aldwinians next Sunday. See you there, Ian