Another week again where we've had to graft to get 3 teams out, going into the match with 16 was always going to be slightly daunting. Our warm up was sharp, and I could see a lot of good signs from all players on the pitch.
From kick off we knew what we would be up against, a big pack who were well drilled and would run hard, and that they did. A few misplaced penalty kicks for touch helped keep them in the game and North Manchester got themselves in front showing that they had a lot of drive, with a very strong ball carrier in the centre too. We didn't give in though, and what seemed to be a serendipitous occurrence, we happen to have comfortably our best defensive performance of the season so far, in the presence of our defence coach Andy Quigley, so he can see his workings in action in the 2s.
In my opinion we were defending for too long, but we stuck at it and no one backed down from the challenge. We showed very soon into the game that we had plenty of pace and handling ability to get out wide and this would be where we'd be successful, which we were and got the game level with a lovely bit of pace to get the ball down.
This set the precedent for the match, lots of defending on our part with the occasional gap or missed tackle letting them through and us using our strengths and getting around them, making the 2nd half a lot of back and forth. Our set piece again let us down so our usual maul attack and strong scrums weren't really an option, so we had to be inventive and we used our pod structure really effectively. After a pick and go try for us, which was executed well, North Manchester went down to 14 men and this gave us the opportunity to build some momentum to hopefully see the game out. They ran at us strong and you couldn't tell they were a man down in attack, with their centre making yards time and time again and getting tries in, with no one shying away from tackling him, just really strong carrying!
It was 24-22 to them with less than 5 minutes left, and things were getting tense, but we stayed calm and kept our structure, and our backs again proved their strength and got us the winning try. A little bit of squeaky bum time at the end with North Manchester having possession on last play, with a stroke of fortune we get the ball back and secure the win. Unbelievable graft. North Manchester is always one of the better matches in our league season, every meeting with them is a true battle where whoever gets the win has to earn it, and lads we certainly did.
Another shout out to all our young lads stepping up big time in another big match, showing serious courage and confidence to handle senior rugby like they've been at it for years, there's some serious promise in our squad lads!
Main work on: Scrum set piece and line out set piece
Final score: 27-24 TMV win
Tries: C Ashworth x1 L Dale x1 A Quigley x1 C Boyd x2
MOTM: A Mason DOTD: A Mason
Match Report Connor Ryan
Dates for the Diary
Friday November 7th - Bonfire and Fireworks Night - TICKETS NOW AVAILBLE - These will quickly sell out so please buy early !
Tuesday November 11th - Mini/Junior Rugby Annual General Meeting 7.30pm
Thursday November 20th - Trafford MV Club Annual General Meeting 8.30pm
Monday - Social Touch Rugby 7.00pm - New Players Welcome speak to Squidge for info or message Wilf
Tuesday / Thursday - Senior Men's ( Contact Jamie Butler at mensrugby@tmvrfcc.co.uk) / Senior Women's Rugby Training
Tuesday / Thursday - Teenage Girls Rugby Training 6.30pm
Wednesday - Walking Rugby for Over 50's and newcomers to the game - 6.30pm - New Players welcome. Contact wilfdooley@virginmedia.com
Saturday - Social Touch Rugby 9.00am - New Players aged 12 years and above welcome Contact Wilf Dooley 07771 913994
Autumn Rugby Internationals
Saturday Nov 1st - England vs Australia ko 3.10pm
Saturday Nov 8th - Scotland vs New Zealand ko 3.10pm
Saturday Nov 8th - England vs Fiji ko 5.40pm
Other dates to follow
