Scorpions stung by quickfire Manchester

In a fiery encounter at Sale's Carrington training base, Manchester scored five first half tries in game one to take an unassailable 5-1 lead at the break before cruising to an 8-4 victory.

For the first time this season the opening try of the fixture went to Manchester. In all of the previous matches of the year, Manchester have been caught napping early in games, allowing opponents to draw first blood and leaving the Tigers perpetually on the comeback trail.

Sleepwalking their way to deficits in every game so far has cost Manchester dear this season, an affliction that saw defeat againt Warrington, Rochdale and Bowdon.

But it was all forgotten on Sunday, from the moment James darted over the line in the first minute of Game 1 to give Manchester the intitiative.

Sale responded quickly to level at 1-1 but a quickfire dash for the line from Fin, rapidly followed in similar style by Eddie saw the visitors take control of a game that never looked to be countered.

Myles drove over the line to extend the lead further and another fine run down the line saw James add to his tally and bring Manchester into a 4-try lead at the break.

Sale came back at Manchester in the 2nd half, bolstered by powerful forward play and they were quickly rewarded when a rolling maul crashed over the Manchester line to reduce the arrears.

The Scorpions occupied a narrow channel through the centre of the pitch and their superior weight and strength saw them enjoying success in contact. Quickly realising that there was success to be had on the wings, Josh picked up the ball in the loose and scored a solo effort to take Manchester to 6-2.

With tempers fraying on the Sale side, the home side's play became increasingly physical with a number of penalties being conceded to the visitors.

Another surge for the line saw Sale score again but 2 more breakaway tries in the corners from James and Josh put the result beyond Sale, despite a late try making the final score 8-4.

The Scorpions were left licking their wounds after Game 1 and started the second match with their strongest line-up, a team heavy with powerfully built forwards who made the most of their physical stature.

Manchester failed to pick up where they left off in the wide areas and got sucked into a forward battle with the home side, a battle they were destined to lose in the early stages.

A fine trademark Louis dart for the line apart, the first half belonged to Sale who crossed the Manchester line 3 times, several of the Manchester players being left inert on the pitch after contact with Sale forwards, Eddie having to come off for a period before rejoining the fray.

In truth, some of the tackling from the home team was bordering on the dangerous with a number of high tackles being made. The half finally game to a end with the referee having to take one of the Sale backs to one side following an off-the-ball incident.

3-1 down then at half time and time for the customary Manchester spirit and resilience to come to the fore. This team never knows when it is beaten and re-discovering the joys of handling and wide play, Josh and James quickly ran in 2 tries to level the game at 3-3.

This was not a tie for the squeamish though and the game remained resolutely physical as Sale sought to impose their size on Manchester, who scrummaged superbly despiting conceding several kilos in weight. Eddie produced a tackle of the week performance in stopping a seemingly certain Sale try, once again having to leave the pitch temporarily to recover his equilibrium.

He was soon back in the fray though as Sale once more used their power to power over the Manchester line to sneak ahead in the match. The closeness of the tie meant that the tension remained high and the refereee needed to be eagle-eyed to ensure good order.

The inevitable came though as a Sale player was rested from the action at the referee's suggestion after one too many off the ball incidents and Manchester took the opportunity to surge forward once more.

Josh again picked up the loose ball after a successful ruck and sidetepped his way to the corner (where else) to level things at 4-4.

With the referee calling last play, a superb piece of rucking in the centre saw Manchester turn the ball over and with spare men out wide, the winning try seemed inevitable.

A desperately unfortunate knock-on saw that move thwarted and as the ball went out of play, Manchester had to be content with a 4-4 draw.

Manchester's coaches were delighted to see their side add a bite and aggression to their good handling skills to produce their best performance of the year so far and with the next game being against Macclesfield, it was not a moment too soon.

A debut for Thomas on Sunday too who played the 2nd half of both matches and showed determination and no little skill. Well done.

Squad: Joseph, Matty, Josh (C), Fin, Ethan, Nathan, Hanuf, Matthew, Myles, Louise, James, George (Mr T), Ollie, Eddie, Will, Thomas W.

Try scorers: Josh (4), James (4), Louis, Fin, Eddie, Myles
Tackle of the Week: Eddie
Player of the Week: Josh