Warrington overcome Manchester in County Cup Round 1

Manchester Rugby Club were due to host Warrington RUFC in the first round of the Lancashire U17s Colts Cup, but with National League club pitches underwater the fixture was switched to Walton Lea Road.

Despite the extreme cold and torrential rain, the pitch itself was in great condition and the two sides took to the field in front of a large and committed crowd!!

Manchester are one league above Warrington and so started the game as clear favourites. From early in the game however it was clear that these were two evenly matched sides, made even more so by the difficult playing conditions.

Both teams tried their best to play some open running rugby, with Manchester favouring the more direct approach while Warrington tried to spread the ball. The weather meant that mistakes were inevitable and both teams had their chance to capitalise, but committed defence kept both attacks at bay.

Despite some adventurous and ambitious attempts to trouble the try lines, no clear scoring opportunities presented themselves to either team in the first half and it ended 0-0.

The second half commenced and if anything the intensity of the rain strengthened.
Almost inevitably the match came down to a kicking dual between the Manchester scrum half , Ollie Chambers and the Warrington centre Jamie Thompson. It was Manchester who registered first with a well struck penalty following an offside offence by the Warrington pack.

Warrington rallied and Thompson was able to level the score with a long reach effort. As the pressure on both teams increased the game became a little fractious and it was the home team who seamed to hold their nerve. Pearson replaced the excellent Ryder at hooker and Moore came on for Lynch in the second row. The fresh legs provided some much needed stimulus for Warrington and they forced Manchester into conceding another penalty in a kickable position.

Thompson, who was picking up the kicking duties for the first time again slotted a fine effort from a difficult angle.

Manchester came back strongly and Warrington had to dig deep to keep them out. Wave after wave of red shirts pounded the Warrington line, but their defence held firm and the visitors were unable to cross the whitewash.

Warrington were able to mount their own attacks and once again forced a penalty in the Manchester half. Thompson’s confidence was clearly up and he made the difficult kick look simple, taking the lead to 9 3.

Despite some desperate play from both teams in the final 10 minutes, the match ended with Warrington able to celebrate a good win over a team who has consistently beat them over the years.

Both teams should be congratulated for serving up a great game in awful conditions.