Sun 28 Nov 2021, 11:00
Thank you to Referee James Hooker (a #HomeGrown former Eccles junior and colt) and the players, parents, coaches of Manchester Rugby Club who travelled to Eccles on a bitterly cold Sunday morning to get a game on with the Eccles U16s. Your commitment, enthusiasm and efforts were appreciated.
Following an early inspection of the pitches under the tunnel it was decided to move the game to the first team pitch, which offered a better playing surface (and no doubt the convenient comfort of hot food and drinks was apprecaited by the spectators). The teams began their warm up and it was noted that the pitch still had areas of firm frostiness. The desire to achieve something productive and responsible from the gathering of players was felt to be in the right spirit of rugby. Following a delayed kick off and a meeting between the Referee, Captains and coaches it was agreed, with player safety in mind, to abandon the idea of a full-contact contest in favour of a training game, playing touch rugby rules with uncontested scrums and line outs.
Eccles began confidently, with quick passing, intelligent kicking and good running rugby leading to a trio of tries by Matt H, Sam D and Scott O. Evan was unlucky not to score in the corner when his otherwise excellent footwork was judged to have touched the touchline. The Eccles defence worked hard in the first 20-min period to deny a competitive Manchester team but this industry was undone when they allowed their three unanswered scores to go to their heads. Mo G scored a fine trademark line-breaking try after the break but Eccles had already lost their shape and focus. Their complacency was punished by Manchester, who responded immediately with a well constructed try and were unfortunate not to score twice more when their attack was halted by some determined defending, forcing handling errors close to the goal line. A 20-5 scoreline serves only to flatter Eccles as Manchester were the better team in the later stages. With the snowfall getting heavier the referee brought the game to a close with 40 minutes played. The game made the most of the conditions and judging by the noise in the clubhouse after (and the queue for second helpings at the kitchen) it would appear the players enjoyed the experience.
Report - CG
