Sat 14 Mar 2020
Conditions in Cheadle were dry, and the pitch was in good condition, a free-flowing game predicated.
The team was in a confident mood after a tough encounter against Bury last week. We had arrived to play Manchester with a solid squad with plenty of experience and depth.
The game started at a solid pace, which suited us. Manchester had a large pack of forwards that wanted to play a tight game. Broughton’s defence was stood solid and as soon as we started to move the ball, we made good ground.
Most of the game was now being played in Manchester’s half and from a ruck the ball was moved quickly down the line, Jonny Appleby received the ball beat his man and went under the posts, Jamie converted 7 -0.
From Manchester’s kick off we allowed the ball to bounce and Manchester retrieved the ball and put us under pressure driving through their forwards. Broughton then started to come under pressure from their own mistakes and penalties, Manchester’s number 9 was keeping Broughton honest by taking quick tap penalties keeping the pressure on. Broughton defended well with some good tackling in defence, eventually the pressure told, and Manchester crossed the line after a good maul and some good forward phases, unconverted.
Broughton took the restart well and fired straight into Manchester, Broughton’s tackling was strong, and Manchester struggled to make ground. Broughton turned the ball over with great work from Dan Connor and worked their way up the field and did well to force Manchester into touch. From the lineout the boys had the confidence to try a new lineout move. The move worked well, and the driving maul was moving forward but unfortunately, Broughton were just forced into touch.
The pack was starting to fire now, and Broughton were starting to move the ball quickly from the rucks and Manchester were struggling to stay with them. Eventually the pressure told, and Cal Hulston broke the line and scored under the posts, a very good worked try. Broughton were starting to put some very good phases together to create the try that was converted by Jamie.
From the next restart Broughton secured the ball and went straight back at Manchester, the work rate amongst the forwards was now starting to paying off with the backs using the ball well. Boughton worked their way deep into Manchester’s 22 and from a messy scrum Jamie pounced on a loose ball and sneaked over in the corner, unconverted.
Half time 19-5.
Manchester started the second half with several changes to the pack increasing the size and weight. This made an early impact and Broughton struggled to regain the rhythm from the first half. Manchester chose to again keep the ball close to their forwards with their number 9 working very hard off the side of the rucks.
Broughton’s defence was very solid making Manchester work very hard and gradually gained ground, Broughton worked the ball down the backs to Johnny Own who used great pace to break Manchester’s line and score under the posts again for Jamie to convert.
From the restart Manchester put us under pressure again our defence held firm, Manchester worked the ball down their backs, but Michael Greensmith made a massive tackle in the corner to stop Manchester scoring. This gave Broughton a massive life after being camped out on their own try line for the majority of the half.
Boughton were now working very hard for each other, communication and line speed was very good. Broughton kept the pressure up and turned the ball over. Boughton then were we rewarded with a scrum and some clever inter play between the back row and backs moved the ball down the line to Johnny Owen who again worked really hard braking Manchester’s defence and scored under the posts, yet again converted by Jamie.
Broughton ran home winners 5-33. Broughton’s team defence throughout the 80 minutes was very impressive, the game was played in a great spirit and we are sure the boys all enjoyed it.
MOM: Jamie Parker - fantastic game, Jamie tackled hard all game and deserved his try.
