|
Mini Junior Section Under 14's |
 |
|
|
|
EFE Challenge Match Report September 2005 Lancashire Cup Round 1 -‘Manchester U14 win ‘Battle of Grove Park!!’ In a pulsating and hard fought first round Lancashire Cup Under 14 Match at Grove Park Manchester the home side recorded a thrilling victory by 23 points to 19. More the Battle of Trafalgar than an Abba chorus, Waterloo camped in Manchester’s half for the first 20 minutes of the match. Despite strong defence from the Manchester pack the sheer size, physical presence and strength of the Waterloo forwards ensured pressure told and they opened the scoring through a try by McShane, converted by Read. The Manchester forwards steadily came into the game meeting the physical confrontation head on. This solid platform released the backs, with a deft pass from forward Lewis Mackay leading to a super run in by winger Tom Grant, thus delivering the first of Manchester’s four tries. Not to be out done, Waterloo’s backs also ‘left the station’ with an excellent score via Anderson, with Read again converting well. Whilst leading 14 - 5 at Half Time, tellingly a Waterloo forward was dismissed just before the break. At the start of the second the Manchester pack consequently took ascendancy driving forward with control and power. This lead to slick hands in the Manchester backs, and Inside Centre Sam Borders bursting through to reduce the Waterloo lead to 2 points with 20 minutes remaining. Manchester’s pack continued to provide a solid platform winning good ball at the scrum and line out. This allowed Manchester Outside Centre Tom Isherwood to collect two successive tries. The first, supporting an outstanding run covering two thirds of the pitch by Grant. The second, with a straight run through the opposing midfield. Waterloo never gave up applying mounting pressure in the final 10 minutes sweeping up field for Andrew Nelson to score and narrow Manchester’s lead. In the final minutes Waterloo infringed in front of their posts and Ben Spencer kicked the pressure Penalty leaving Manchester singing the chorus after the ‘Battle of Grove Park!!; Christopher Isherwood |
