The Pride of Manchester

Aldwinians brought a solid team of 8s with them for three closely contested games this weekend.
Game 1 saw Aldwinians winning the toss and opting to take the game to the Tigers. With their first attack of the game, Aldwinians broke through our defence to score the opening try. From the restart, the Tigers passed along the line superbly with Alex on hand from a Mat feed, to add the final touch and level the score. Aldwinians response was instantaneous and as the half entered the last play, they must have thought they would go in one up. This was not to be though with a great pass from Louis that saw Alex exploding through the opposition defence to level with the final play of the half. In the second half the Tigers were unstoppable with Alex adding to his first half brace, Luke adding two to his season's tally and as ever, William charging over to record one of his trademark tries. Aldwinians were only able to score a consolation try late on, when the match was already well and truly beyond their reach, finishing 6-3 to Manchester.

With a larger squad than the Tigers, Aldwinians brought on their big play makers for Game 2. Manchester won the toss and opted to attack. From the start it was obviously going to be end to end with both sides tagging energetically for a number of seven tag turn overs. Again and again Aldwinians threatened the Manchester try line only to be repelled by last ditch tagging from Ollie, Myles and a determined Eddie. After a slow start to the day following an injury to his foot in warm up, Josh broke the deadlock, after a precision pass from Luke, with a jinxing run taking him straight through the defensive line and over for his first try of the day. Aldwinians leveled from the restart with a darting run that broke the stretched Tigers defence. The Tigers came straight back themselves with Luke restoring the lead with a well worked try that involved all the team as they passed the ball well along the line. Again Aldwinians hit back and it took a solo effort from Eddie to take the Tigers into half time, one point to the good. Aldwinians started the second half and they pushed for an equalizer from the first whistle, bringing the scores level very quickly. Alex powered over after good running, as did Josh for another two tries, but the Tigers could never get clear of the opposition and as the final whistle blew the game ended up with honours shared at 6-6.

By Game 3 it was clear that both sides were blowing hard and had given their all in the first two games. Now it was down to who wanted it more. Aldwinians took the kick off and blitzed right through a stunned Manchester line. From the restart, Manchester knocked on in their haste to equalize and gave the advantage back to the opposition. Aldwinians thought they had gone over for a second try moments later only for play to be brought back ten metres for over running an obvious tag. The second try was only delayed though as they spread the ball wide and Eddie was unable to take three tags in a row, though he very nearly did, such was his commitment to the Tiger's cause. Louis took the restart, passing on to Ollie who ran straight at the heart of the Aldwinian defence. On being tagged he off loaded to Mat, who, seeing Josh free outside him, sent a precision pass his way for Josh to go scorching over for the Tiger's first. So, 1-2 at half time and all to play for. Did either side have anything left in the tank? The Tigers kicked off the second half and a visibly tiring Aldwinians were soon up against it with only desperate tagging denying both William and Luke from increasing their points tally for the day. The Tigers were now in the ascendancy and every play saw them getting closer to the Aldwinian try line. Great passing and support play gave Alex the opportunity to go over three times in the second half, a feat that Aldwinians could not equal and the game ended 4-3 for the home team.

A great display of close teamwork and real progress was obvious to all watching today's matches. The free running and excellent passing was a delight to watch and the desire to win really does put the shine to a fantastic win over a larger squad of good players from Aldwinians.

The Marauding U8s were as follows (tries in brackets), Alex(7), Josh(4), Luke(3), Eddie(1), William(1), Ollie, Mat, Louis, Myles.

This Sunday sees us training at home from 10:00-12:00. I hope to see you all there, welcoming Fin back into the side after his half term break and looking forward to meeting any new recruits who fancy joining a truly awesome Tigers team.