Manchester vs Congleton

Manchester u12s were one of the few teams in the region to get a game over the weekend. Thanks to Congleton for being so helpful in switching the venue and to everyone who braved the puddles to make it there. The pitch was very small but at least it was above water and had grass on it! With several boys unavailable and others playing out of position MAnchester got off to a slow start. But by the second half the team shifted up several gears having worked out the best thing to do was to move the ball away from a BIG Congleton pack. This resulted in seven unanswered and well-worked Manchester tries at the final whistle.

The confines of the pitch didn't really suit our style but the team adapted. The front row were impressive in the lose but not as controlled as normal in the scrum, Connor and Tom worked hard in the second row getting some line out ball, tackling well and making excellent headway in the lose. As normal Charlie was a constant nuisance to the opposition always seeming to get his hands on the ball in the mauls (and nearly losing his head a few times because of it!). Louis played a controlled game at scum half nicely mixing his run or pass options and was always in the face of his opposite number. Harry seemed to have loads of time at flyhalf and again picked his options well. In defence Harry, Chucky and Kieran were well organised and closed down any chance of the Congleton backline ever moving the ball wide - which is what we have been practicing so Well Done! Even though the pitch was narrow Manchester still managed to move the ball to the wings with Max going close several times and Johan linking up well with Milo and going off on several jinking runs. Of note were Milo's excellent incursions into the back line running straight, from deep and at pace.

It was great that the boys were so enthusiastic about having another 15 min game at the end and congratulations to Congleton for scoring a try to share the honours. Congleton have certainly improved since previous encounters, we wish them well for the rest of the season and lookforward to hosting them at Grove Park in Feb 2010.

Training this Sunday 10am (prompt) to 12.