Spirited Performance on Halloween Weekend

Match Report by Marcus Edwards

Manchester had 10 girls available for selection with LSH 8. It was agreed to play 7 per side, on a full pitch with 3 x 10mins ‘thirds’.

This was going to be a tough ask for Manchester competing against the more experienced/older LSH players, with some quick backs, and a whole pitch to defend.

Manchester switched off at the start with a few missed tackles allowing LSH to run through for the first try. At the restart LSH tried a similar tactic of trying to run through the centre but met with the tackling force of Rachael Jones – the first of several big hits throughout the match. LSH then played to their strength which was to pass straight to either of their quick wingers who, using the full size pitch to their advantage, were able to run in three more unanswered tries in the first ten minutes. All four tries were effectively breakaway tries placed under the posts for easy conversions.

A great asset of this Manchester U15 Girls team is that their heads never drop. After a motivational team talk at the interval, they started with renewed vigour. The forwards Jess Davids, Caitlin Knight, Rachael Jones were determined not to be given the run around and produced some fine phase play marshalled superbly by the vocal Jess Johnson. This allowed the ball to be released to the backs with some fine straight running by Olivia Farrow breaking through tackles supported well by Chloe Snape and Michaela Gurney. This third also saw the debuts of Chloe Barker and Helena Edwards – welcome to the rugby world girls! Another LSH breakaway resulted in their winger crossing the Manchester line in the corner and then trying to run the ball under the Manchester posts. Jess Johnson with an inspired try saving tackle caught and wrestled her over for a Manchester 22 yard drop out. Unfortunately Olivia suffered an ankle injury forcing her out of the game with Casey Thompson now in the back line. Two late LSH breakaways (18 &19 mins) resulted in two tries, both converted.

The final third saw Manchester dominate the early play forcing LSH to kick the ball to touch. Jess Johnson kept the forwards driving forwards, forcing LSH backwards with several well worked phases. A final quick release to Casey Thompson on the left wing who, despite desperate cover tackles flying in from LSH, crossed the line in the corner to finish off a well worked team try. From the restart it was all Manchester pressure again forcing LSH to kick. It looked like a repeat of the first Manchester try was on until a lose ball resulted in another full length of the pitch breakaway try from LSH. The pattern of play repeated itself from the restart resulting in the final try by LSH in the last minute.

This match highlighted the team spirit within this young side. With each third of this match Manchester increased their competitiveness. With no sense of bias Manchester really did play all the rugby in the last third of the match with LSH relying on their speed players to ‘rescue’ them!

Special mention goes to Chloe Snape – Happy Birthday on the day, celebrated by the team with plenty of cake in the club house after the match.

Captain’s player of the match: Rachael Jones