Match report 1st XV v Broughton Park 30th Oct 21

Another bonus point win saw Manchester bounce back from the disappointing display away at Penrith the previous weekend, although there will be some concern as Manchester let slip a 22-point lead, making for a nervous finish in the end.
From the kick-off Manchester failed to execute a clean exit and conceded a penalty under the posts for holding on, penalty converted, 0v3 to the visitors.
For the next ten minutes Manchester kept the ball in the opposition half, as Broughton conceded several penalties with the ball was always kicked to touch rather than attempts made at goal. Unfortunately, although the lineouts were always won, handling mistakes crept in, allowing Broughton to clear their lines.
On one such occasion Broughton worked the ball into the Manchester 22 where once again there was a failed attempt to run the ball out, another penalty under the posts gave Broughton a six-point lead.
As Broughton again kicked into the Manchester 22, it was a question of third time lucky as the ball was moved through the hands, this time Harry Lewis managed to break the defensive line and the ball was fed out to Jimmy Graham who surged down the left wing to score, conversion made, 7v6.
As half-time approached Manchester kept the pressure on and managed to maintain the ball though several phases gaining good ground deep into the Broughton 22. Eventually the defence was breached as Charlie Green crashed over close to the posts, conversion made, half-time score 14v6.
From the re-start Manchester had their best period of the game, with two quick tries. Firstly, having kicked to touch from a penalty in the Broughton 22, the resultant driving maul was collapsed illegally as a try looked certain, the ref issuing a yellow card to an opposition player. Once again, the penalty was kicked to touch, the lineout ball was driven over for Karl Higginson to score, conversion made 21v6.
The next and bonus point try came from first phase possession from a scrum just in the Broughton half; the ball was moved down the back line with Jimmy Graham looping round to score on the right wing, conversion made 28v6.
At this point Manchester looked in total control and ready to surge ahead. However, Broughton had other ideas and mounted a strong comeback in the last 20 mins, as errors once again crept into the Manchester play and they wasted good scoring opportunities.
Broughton got their first try seemingly from nowhere, as a maul seemed static on the Manchester 22, a Broughton playing broke free and a quick interplay later they were over for a try, conversion made, 28v13.
This score seemed to revitalise Broughton who were soon on the attack again, they were close to scoring from a driving maul, however, this was collapsed illegally; this time it was Manchester’s turn to have a player in the bin. Down a player, the Manchester defence was stretched as the ball was moved first left and then right by Broughton through several phases, which eventually created the overlap for a second try to the visitors, conversion missed 28v20.
Manchester then had an opportunity to relieve the pressure, however, opting to kick to touch from a penalty under the posts, although the lineout went well the ball was spilled in midfield and Broughton cleared the danger. As Manchester infringed at the breakdown, Broughton found their way deep into the home team’s 22. Broughton’s forwards then took control, and several quick rucks later got their third try, conversion made 28v25.
As the game entered the final minute, Broughton managed one last attack, moving the ball from their 22 into the Manchester half. With the home crowds nervousness growing by the second the attack was eventually repelled and the ball cleared as the final whistle went.
On balance Manchester were good for the win but should never have let it get so close. Cutting out the unforced errors and better game management, should help calm the nerves of both the coaching staff and home crowd going forward.