Manchester U12s had a strong finish to the pool games of the Lancashire Waterfall on Sunday. Beating Eccles 4-0 and drawing with Heaton Moor 3-3. With the pool stage complete, Manchester’s statistics are: played 8, won 4, lost 3, drawn 1; for 32; against 28. Curzon was the top try scorer with 7. Followed by Reuben with 5, Zach and Samee on 4, Freddy, Armstrong and Sahil with 3 each, Charlie on 2, and Lucas on 1.

The team eagerly await the final table to see where they finished and what position they will be competing for. But with Finals Day scheduled for 17 April 2022, and Manchester being unbeaten in the last two rounds with increasingly assured performances, the boys are looking forward to finishing the season on a high note.

In the first game against Heaton Moor, the hosts came from behind to take a 2-1 lead into half time after Sahil ran strong to score the first of his three tries. In the second half the boys dug deep to battle back to 3-3 and push for the win. Sahil bagging a second of the day and Curzon powering over in trademark fashion – though new boots and blisters limited Curzon from his usual impact! Heaton Moor had their own powerful runners, but Manchester proved equal to it with the whole team contributing to the tackling effort. The clock ran out before Manchester could grab a winner in a well fought and even game that finished with a 3-3 draw.

Eccles were the opponents for the second game, which provided a more open affair that allowed Manchester’s flair to prevail. Reuben ran in two tries from distance with great footwork and determination. Zach, captain for the round and team’s playmaking standoff, backed up his scything tackling and finished a good team play, running in from the halfway line. But the penultimate note goes to Sahil who completed his hattrick with a further try, dominating through contact before beating the last defender on the outside and touching down for a man-of-the day performance.

The final note has to go the whole team, who continue to improve on a weekly basis. Every player is showing improved technique and increased contribution, which the coaches couldn’t be more pleased with.

Well done boys!