Manch March On To Final!

Match Report by Matthew Miles

Manch, who were forced to delve into the Under 16s squad due to a lack of numbers, got off to the perfect start. With the visitors camped in the LSH 22, the pressure finally told as Conor crashed over after 5 minutes. Luke James added the extras to give the Academy side a deserved early 0-7 lead.

A similar try followed on the 12 minute mark when Noah crossed the whitewash after a further period of dominant Manchester play. 12-0 and Manchester fully in control.

Noah was on the scoreboard again 7 minutes later when he was quick to scoop up a loose ball 5 yards out and dabbed down close to the posts. Luke converted again to make it 0-19.

However, the visitors didn’t have things all their own way and LSH responded just before the break when they drove over from a line out deep in Manchester territory.

5-19 at halftime. A healthy lead but Manchester were very much in third gear.

The second period started much like the first. This time Woody capitalised to score after more Manchester pressure. Luke again kicked the extras to build a commanding 5-26 lead.

A lack of precision crept back into Manchester’s play and it took 11 more minutes before more points were added. With Luke James on the receiving end of a rather dubious tackle which saw the end of his day’s work, Noah received the ball a good 10 yards inside his own half. After sidestepping a couple of forlorn LSH tacklers, Noah sprinted clear to complete a deserved hat trick. 5-33 thanks to Woody’s conversion.

Manchester weren’t done yet and with 10 minutes remaining Noah, now playing at fly half, unleashed the pace of Toby who showed a clean pair of heels from fully 50 yards out. A successful conversion. 5-40 the final score.

Credit must go to the Manchester pack who dominated at the set piece throughout and gave the backs the platform to play some very effective rugby. Credit also to the Under 16s, Luke Boon, Aden Bird and particularly Luke McCreath at Scrum Half who hint at a bright future for the Academy side next season.

The boys now look to complete a memorable ‘double’ on 1st May when they meet Blackburn in the final at Widnes.