Don’t be Fooled by the Scoreline!

Manchester had gone into the game as the only side with a mathematical chance of catching the leaders. As things turned out, the Cheshire challenge ended when Manchester’s narrow defeat combined with a home walkover by Tyldelsley on the same weekend.

After Manchester’s win at Caldy earlier in the season, the visitors were clearly fired up to correct matters. Caldy started the game very strongly and soon had Manchester pinned within their own 22. The strength of girls' rugby in Cheshire was apparent as Manchester resisted wave after wave of attack. It wasn’t as if Caldy’s attack was blunt but Manchester’s blitz defence was effective. Eventually the ball was turned over allowing Nieve Jones to clear her lines, but only to the edge of the 22.

Caldy regained possession from the lineout and launched another attack. Some powerful running supported by a strong pack took play perilously close to the Manchester line. A final surge looked as if it would secure the score that all the territory warranted, but the home side remained focussed and the ball was held up on the line.

Having narrowly failed from a set move 22 metres out, a scrum just five metres out was all the platform that Caldy now needed. The ball was secured and a touch down made and converted to open the scoring at 7-0. Yes, Caldy were the scorers but both teams came out of the ferocious exchange with credit as Manchester defended the line as if it were already the last minute.

The score came almost as a relief, in that Manchester now had a chance to get into the visitors’ half. There was so little between the sides that it was extremely difficult for either side to make ground. A penalty to Caldy should have put Manchester on the back foot, but this was well caught by Amber Smith and the penalty advantage was almost reversed as Manchester raced back towards the Caldy 22. Manchester now had possession and territory, but unfortunately the movement drifted side-to-side rather than forward.

The physicality of the game resulted in a series of injuries to both sides which stopped the game flowing at a point when Manchester were on top. Manchester knew that something special was needed to break down such a tight defence and a cheeky short lineout, orchestrated and caught by Jess Gurney, almost provided the answer.

Manchester deserved a score before half time but the half came to a close with Caldy still edging it on the scoreboard by that solitary try. With some time having elapsed since Caldy had the field position that earned them their score, the signs were there that Manchester had weathered the storm. With some confidence, Manchester restarted the second half ready to take the game to Caldy.

Caldy had had the benefit of some scrums won against the head in the first half; not an usual problem for Manchester. Amy Lees made the referee aware of the early push that was gaining them this advantage, and a couple of free kick awards finally persuaded Caldy to desist. From one of these free balls, a strong running Amy Johnson made some ground and Manchester were back again in Caldy’s half looking for the equalising score.

A rushed clearance gave Manchester a line out and the same short lineout move was called by Jess. This time it looked as if it would work but a harsh lineout ruling by the referee adjudged that the ball was either too short or not straight (or both!) and play was brought back.

Manchester’s initiative was lost and it became Caldy’s turn to try to close the game with what would have been a killer try. Manchester had had plenty of practice in defence however, and they efficiently frustrated Caldy’s attacks. Eventually, with Caldy just edging the game but restricted to an area between half way and the 10 metre line, Manchester secured some turnover ball. Emily Houghton burst through the middle running a perfect line to the left of the posts. With the Caldy defence breached a try seemed certain, but the ball was grounded short and the visitors quickly reformed their defence.

Still Manchester had their chance to get the try they now desperately needed when Caldy were forced over their own line to concede a five metre scrum. A good agressive scrum by the Caldy pack meant that Manchester's scrappy possession was soon lost, and the ball was quickly moved along the Caldy backs as they looked for a chance to clear the danger. This was not all together successful and a charge down, chased by Nieve Jones as it bounced back over the line looked good. Unfortunately, in the absence of a TMO(!), the referee had to make the call. From his vantage point he could not say that the ball had been grounded and Manchester’s assault on the line had come to nothing.

It was clear by now that all Caldy had to do was hang on. Their confidence in their defence had justifiably grown and Manchester became increasingly frustrated as the minutes ticked by. The home side tried hard to put some phases together, knowing that just one break by either Hannah Johnson or Leanne Murray on the wings could still rescue this match. A Route One attack through the middle was just not going to work (it had been tried enough times by both sides!) and some space had to be found somehow. That didn’t happen and with Manchester still attacking, but by now not with any great penetration, the referee blew for full time as Caldy hacked a loose ball into touch.

This was a very good game between the county’s two pacesetting sides who have been swapping second and third places in the North West league throughout the season. Manchester will still hope to earn the bragging rights by finishing above Caldy, but there really is very little between these teams. The referee left the field enthusing that it had been an "outstanding match" to referee. It was to watch as well.

Great pictures from Liz Broadbent to prove the commitment here>>>
https://picasaweb.google.com/115231797605651435788/RugbyManchesterGirlsU18sVCaldySun03Apr11?feat=email#