Manchester started this game with textbook lineouts and a dominant scrum. From a good penalty kick into touch, an efficient catch-and-drive saw jumper Luke Tyrrell driven oven the line for a 5-0 lead in as many minutes.

The visitors knew they were in trouble and were forced to kick to gain any territory as Manchester’s defence stayed solid and committed. With the penalty count against them too, it seemed a matter of time before Manchester’s dominance was turned into points. The nature of the next score showed the confidence as the Karl Higginson - Sam Davis lineout partnership allowed quick ball, well used by the backs. A superb finish by Chris Nuttall down the opposite wing made it 10-0 with quarter of an hour played.

Manchester’s pack were giving their backs an armchair ride but a series of penalties against the team prevented any further scoring and started to give the visitors some heart despite being the weaker side. The early flow of the game started to break down at this early stage so that the 10-0 turnaround at half time was a disappointment after such early promise.

Manchester started the second period the stronger and once again it became a case of when they would score and start focussing on chasing the bonus point. With the team controlling the game, some unnecessary frustration at this stage (or any stage come to that), resulted in a red card for Gareth Bridgman when the referee decided that his protest about a decision was unacceptable. The whole complexion of the game changed as a result. Ruskin Park were lucky to be within 10 points after a weak second half, but they knew that a one-man advantage for half an hour could easily overturn that that deficit.

Sure enough, within minutes, panic in the ranks saw the ball thrown loosely behind Manchester’s own line, and the visitors were the quicker to the ball, converting the try to 10-7.

Manchester began to settle after this mini crisis and when a long penalty to touch finally got the ball to the right end of the park, there was a collective sigh of relief. Higginson’s throws remained true even under pressure so that the catch was clean and the forwards gathered to drive towards the try line. With the defence trying to stop the collective drive, Brian Ndlovu splintered away with the ball to dive over for Manchester’s third try and to re-open a two-score 15-7 gap.

It still felt that Manchester were hanging on rather than pressing for a four-try bonus point with 15 minutes remaining. However as time ticked by and with Manchester’s defence once again solid and committed, it became clear that Park had little in their armour to take advantage of being a player to the good. Nonetheless, after failing to capitalise on first half territory and possession and then a self-inflicted weakening to 14 players, it felt as if Manchester had got out of jail.

There was a comical ending to the match when, with time up on everyone’s watches, the referee blew a long blast for a Manchester penalty. The scoreboard was cleared, the crowd started to head for the warmth of the clubhouse and even the players congratulated and commiserated...but the referee signalled play to continue. This turned out to be no more than a two minute encore and, as at the end of the first half, even the 15-7 win was a little disappointing when the eventual final whistle blew.