In fact the visitors showed character by immediately tightening up the defence after such an early disappointment. With Manchester proving stubborn and a few chances not taken in the following half hour or so, Eccles eventually felt it necessary to kick for goal in order to move the scoreboard forward. It even looked as if their 10-0 lead was going to be reduced when Manchester had two late kickable penalties awarded but let’s just say that neither Manchester kicker managed to trouble the posts.

In truth, Eccles should have done more with the amount of ball and territory that they had in the first period, but the penalty count against them frustrated and effectively kept Manchester in the game. Unfortunately Manchester could not take advantage of their penalty awards as short kicks to touch kept them playing a tiring game in their own half, defending their line for long periods.

Ten minutes of the second half passed before the hosts made what was really the telling breakthrough. It was clear by now that Manchester did not have the wherewithal to be able to chase a game that their opponents were dominating. That 17-0 lead soon became 20 points on the hour mark and Manchester were there for the taking.

Some resistance was shown when Luke Tyrrell ran blind from an attacking scrum, and with Matt Beasley in support, Manchester’s try was scored. There was no real momentum from this defiant try however, as any Manchester possession was either neutralised by a quick and alert defence or simply given away by poor handling or misjudged kicks.

A disastrous defensive lineout allowed Eccles to restore their gap and extend it to 27-5. Eccles were now in the ascendancy and Manchester were well beaten. Two late tries to make it 39-5 didn’t skew the scoreline, but instead confirmed the difference between the two teams on the day.