On a wet and windy day it was probably never going to be a day for fluent flowing rugby, the winner was always going to be the side that made the fewest errors and capitalised on the chances they created and in the end that is what Manchester managed to do for another bonus point win.
The first mistake came from the kick-off, with Manchester kicking too long and conceding a scrum on halfway, from the scrum Altrincham mounted a number of concerted attacks, which were all well defended by Manchester. The pressure was finally relieved as Altrincham conceded three penalties in a row allowing Manchester to eventually kick for touch in the opposition 22. A good catch and drive got Manchester on the front foot and as the ball was released to the backs Jimmy Graham broke the gain line and fed JJ to score under the posts, conversion made by Doug Day, 7v0.
Altrincham were back in the game from the restart as a Manchester player was adjudged guilty of holding on. The resultant penalty was kicked to touch, clean ball from the lineout was moved first left and then back over to the right wing where there seemed little danger, however, 3 missed tackles allowed the Altrincham right wing to score, conversion missed 7v5.
For the next 10 minutes or so Altrincham kept up the pressure in the Manchester 22, but mistakes crept in at crucial times, allowing Manchester to clear the ball at least three times when they look liked conceding a try.
Eventually Manchester managed to get the ball into the opposition half and from a penalty kick to touch on the 22-metre line secured good ball for their backs. Once again Jimmy Graham was able to break tackles and this time finished the move with a try under the posts, conversion made 14v5.
For the remainder of the half Manchester were on top and in contrast to Altrincham capitalised on the pressure they were exerting with two further tries. The first was created by a tip pass break in mid-field by Nick Elliott who fed Jake Stewart to score, conversion made 21v5. Next from an excellent 50-20 kick from Jimmy Graham Manchester were back deep in the Altrincham half. Following a failed kick at goal by Doug Day, Altrincham failed to clear effectively with the clearance kick going straight to JJ who caught the ball well and made a break, through the covering defence to feed Charlie Ding for a walk-in try, conversion missed half-time score 26v5 and another try bonus point already secured.
As the second half commenced the onus was on Altrincham to come out fighting and take the game to Manchester, which they did, and they were first to score.
With Jake Stewart down injured, a Manchester player was guilty of a deliberate knock on in their 22. Altrincham kicked to touch for a five-metre lineout. A well worked misdirection move in the lineout got the drive going and was quickly over the line for a nice try, conversion missed 26v10.
Any hope of a sustained recovery by Altrincham was soon quelled as Manchester were next to score with a forward drive of their own from a close in lineout, although it must be said it was not as well worked as the previous one, it was still a try; Lewis Mckay the scorer converted by Doug Day 33v10.
With a good lead Manchester were now able to relax and spent the rest of the half for the most part comfortably soaking up the pressure exerted by Altrincham who seemed short of ideas other then using their heavier pack close in to the rucks. As the full-time whistle neared Altrincham did got some reward for their efforts with a penalty try awarded as Manchester were adjudged guilty of dropping a retreating scrum close to their line, final score 33v17.
Another welcome bonus point win earned through a combination, of in the main a solid defensive display and by taking chances to score when they presented themselves.