NATIONAL DIVISION 1

Manchester

Rugby Lions

Before the kick off the odds against were already staking up. Mike McCarthy the second row loan from Wasps was out injured, back row Ben Smith stepped into the breach.  This left scrum half Peter Jenkins as the only new member on the magic roundabout.

Playing into a stiff breeze the Lions took the lead through a try by Newmarch converted by Boden. This was cancelled out just before half time when Manchester went over for a second try to leave the Lions trailing by only 5 at half time. Some reason for a little optimism.....think again........

During the second half Manchester just blew the Lions apart scoring 27 points to 10. A late try set up by Reed and scored by Baker could not give the score line any degree of respectability.

Poor tackling and  little possession all added the the Lions problems. Though the BIG problem seemed to be a lack of passion, guts, heart, desire, dog.... call it what you will, but what ever it was, it just not there from too many of the full time professional rugby players.

Steve Smith played well until he let his head drop, while Wheeler and Hayman tackled all day. But just what player/coach Jason Critchley will say at the next training session apart from 'I quit' is beyond me. One thing is for sure, he can't pick himself again!

It's seven months until the start of next season. Plans must be put in place now, all (well most) of the problems were created during the close season. Players let go, no recognised coach. This has led to the a large amount of loaned players needed. There is no problem in long term loan players, Ben Wheeler for example has been outstanding, but having to fill in for a match here and there has not worked.

If a core of players could be retained now and the 'team' built around them we have a chance bouncing back.....if not two words 'West Hartlepool'.

Lets not mess around with the here today gone tomorrow mercenaries, this policy along with day time training has not worked. Let's get back to having mainly the best local players augmented with a few key others and season long loan players from Leicester. BUT most of all can we have players who have the pride and passion to be 'LIONS'

One final question, far too many loyal players have been lost in the past few seasons. Yes for some it's for money, but this is not the case with a large proportion....why?

The long suffering Lions supporters who once again turned out in numbers, spending their own time and money to watch rubbish.

Match Preview

Lions Squad

The Lions supporters had no complaints to make about last Friday’s team performance against Exeter. Yes, they certainly did play as a team and were very unlucky to finish without a losing bonus point. To play as well as they did against the third-placed club with seventeen lost games hanging round their necks was some achievement. 

Manchester, by virtue of the scoreline (34-10) at Millmoor last Sunday, also appear to have acquitted themselves well, which will make for a tough contest next Saturday. The Mancunians have won just two games this season, both away from home, at Rugby and Moseley. Home games were lost against Birmingham, Exeter, London Welsh, Orrell, Plymouth, Rotherham and Worcester. Lost games away from home were at Bedford, Coventry, Otley, Plymouth, Rotherham and Wakefield. Manchester have made up their league points total of 15 with five try bonus and two losing bonus points, one of the latter two being earned with their narrow 14-12 defeat at Coventry. 

A win for Manchester on Saturday would be no less important than it would be for the Lions and it would be their first home win as well. The game will be tight, it will be hard, but it has to be a victory for the Lions. Rugby must take the spirit and commitment of last Friday evening away with them this time. No more Moseleys, no more Otleys!