Together Again

Manchester were pleased to see their team mates from Glossop and Northwich make the long trip to Caldy on Sunday – unfortunately they hadn’t seen them since November due to the arctic weather conditions!

Without even the luxury of a joint training session for a couple of months, this was always going to be a tough fixture. In the end, a well-drilled LSH overcame a good effort from the visitors to maintain their 100% record this season.

Manchester started strongly from the kick off and enjoyed the best of the territory in the opening minutes. LSH were eventually able to use their physicality to good effect with a tackle breaking try that gave them the lead somewhat against the run of play.

With such an obvious advantage LSH would have been expected to dominate far more than they did. However Manchester’s girls were punching well above their weight, holding their own in the scrums as well as standing firm in defence. Once they took control of the ball, Manchester’s determination was rewarded with a well taken try by Libby Finn, scored wide following some good handling by the backs.

With the sides now even again at 5-5, Manchester were unlucky to reach the break a score down when LSH finally breached the defence with a late try, despite some crunching tackles as the visitors desperately tried to hold their line.

LSH must have been reminded during their half time talk just which team was top of the league and who had had the benefit of training together - this certainly wasn’t clear in the first half with Manchester defying the odds and keeping LSH on a tight leash. A lively start by our hosts saw them take control of the scoreboard however with a trio of tries as their practice sessions paid off and their confidence grew accordingly.

Manchester refused to roll over at this point and a great try by Liv Green brought the score back to 25-10. Manchester pushed hard to close the score to what would have been a fairer reflection of the match and were unlucky not to do so in a couple of strong attacking plays in the last quarter.

Unfortunately it was the girls from LSH who had the final say with a late converted try closing the match out at 32-10.

Once again the Manchester team can take pride in a competitive performance against an undefeated side. In previous encounters with Manchester’s girls, Liverpool St Helens have proven themselves to be a well organised and committed outfit. The ability was clear to see on both sides on Sunday with the crucial difference being one of practice rather than ability – we know that the deserved results will come if the under 15s are able to meet up more often as we approach the spring weather and the second half of the season.

Manchester celebrate Libby's equalising try>>>