Magic Numbers

WP Leeds were short of a few players for a preferred 10 a side match and three girls volunteered to change sides for the first half. This left Manchester with two natural captains in Jess Johnson as pack leader and Izzy Worsley directing the backs.

Manchester quickly took the initiative when a cleanly won line out was well worked along the backs for Liv Green to touch down for the first try, converted by Izzy.

Despite playing together for the first time, Manchester’s half back pairing of Ellie Davidson and Annie Mills showed a good understanding, while Izzy at inside centre enjoyed good support from Liv and Robyn McLaren. Manchester’s second try in fact was down to the support running by Robyn when Izzy was stopped just short of the line but able to offload for Robyn to dive over. The conversion closed the first quarter with Manchester 14 points ahead.

Libby Finn then came on for Robyn and quickly scored almost a carbon copy of the previous try, with Izzy again making the ground and Libby being on hand for a well taken try to take the score to 21-0.

While the backs were making the impression on the scoreboard, it was the Manchester forwards who were dominating up front, taking scrum after scrum against the head. This solid platform allowed Liv to get her second try when she was able to round the defence to finish the first half with a comfortable 28-0 advantage.

WPL requested a change of format to 7s for the second half, which in view of the lead was agreed to, and Manchester’s loaned players returned. Several players started the second half making their debuts and played extremely well. WP Leeds were happier with this format however and by the end of the third quarter had grabbed a couple of tries back so that the score was a more competitive 28-10.

Manchester regrouped and from a five metre scrum looked as if they were going to quickly put the match beyond doubt, only for a loose pass in an attacking position to be intercepted and the resulting try converted to make it a 28-17 lead.

Manchester however were dominant for the remainder of the last quarter and the forwards got a just reward for their excellent performance when their support of Jess allowed her to force the ball over the line. As Izzy finished a perfect kicking display to convert to a 35-17 lead, Manchester were home and dry with a five-try bonus point earned.

WPL showed their character by recovering from that disappointment to pick up a losing point for themselves with a rush from the restart towards Manchester’s line and sheer determination getting them over it to arrive at the final score of 35-22.

All in all this was a very encouraging performance, from the skills of the experienced players to the promise shown by the new players.

Pictures here>>>
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