Kirkby come back strong
A dismal day welcomed the Manchester faithful to Underley Park for this 20th round in the Regional North West League. Kirkby were missing some of their regulars but Coach Dave Barton stepped in at No 10 in place of Ree. Nicholson out through illness brought Oates in at 9 with Peek taking the 11 jersey.
The rain abated as Manchester started the game and Kirkby gathered moving up field. From the ruck Barton received the ball and fed down the line to Peek who beat his man and headed for the try line. He kicked on past the defence but cover came across for the visitors to clear to touch. A good start for the home side but a penalty awarded to Manchester for a late tackle gave them the initiative. Line out followed and the visitors scored their first try through their centre back with 10 minutes gone. 0-7. From the restart they caught Kirkby napping and their wing doubled the score within 2 minutes. 0-14. The home side were lacking direction over the next period of play giving penalties away and Barton spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a high tackle. Manchester were wanting to capitalise against the 14 Kirkby lads but they held firm until the 20th minute when the visitors pack rumbled over for their third try. 0-21. Kirkby defended well as their opponents moved the ball along their back line to gained their bonus point try as the half hour approached. 0-28. The Kirkby spirit brought them back into the game as they have all season but despite good moves and an attacking pack they just couldn't break the visitors defence. Manchester moved play back into Kirkby's half and following a scrum 10 yards out their stand off walked over for a further try unchallenged as the half came to a close. The score 0-33.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Kirkby side showing some good attacking moves but errors and penalties given away could not secure any score. Manchester attacked looking to increase their try count but some sterling defence by the home side pack relieved the pressure as the ball was cleared by Geordan Moss into touch. Manchester knocked on and the Kirkby ball was won and saw their backs move down field but lose it in the following ruck. Penalty give by Kirkby for off side brought another onslaught by the visitors but the defence held with strong tackles by Peek on the wing but a neat move by Manchester backs saw the first score on the 25th minute of the half and the board moved to 0-40. They were straight back from the kick off to increase their tally to 0-47. Whilst most sides would have collapsed, Kirkby were back on the attack and drew a penalty to give them a line out well into Manchester's half. Kirkby lost the ball and a clearing kick was charged down and saw Weekes pick up and score the home sides first try of the game. Unconverted the score read 5-47 with 10 minutes to full time. The time left on the clock was all Kirkby's as Manchester made mistakes and gave possession away and as time was running out the home side forwards lead by Captain Briggs took a ruck up to the try line and Weekes was there again to get his second try and give the final score 10-47.
One cannot deny the Kirkby lads effort and commitment as over the last few matches they have scored the final tries of their games. The atmosphere in the Clubhouse after the game was electric as the Manchester lads and supporters enjoyed the 'crack'.
Next week Kirkby head to Blackburn for the rearranged game as frost postponed the original fixture.
As seen by DJH