1st XV
Matches
Sat 12 Feb 2022  ·  North One West
Manchester
29
20
Penrith RUFC Ltd
1st XV
Tries: A Howe , A PamphilonConversions: M Fearon (2)Penalties: M Fearon (2)Yellow Carded: D Richardson
MANCHESTER 29 PENRITH 20

MANCHESTER 29 PENRITH 20

Mike Sanderson14 Feb 2022 - 20:27
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PENRITH GIVE A DECENT ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES IN THE WIND AT MANCHESTER

This was not the usual tale of woe with Penrith coming home with their tails between their legs after an under par performance away from home. They gave a good account of themselves in difficult conditions against a side in the top three of the league and had they taken all their chances could well have won.
The weather on the journey down was atrocious and the wind and driving rain continued as the teams warmed up before the game but when the game started the rain abated and the two sides only had the wind to contend with. The Cumbrians had first use of the wind but did not start auspiciously, they lost the ball the first time they took it into contact and then a poor clearance kick saw them under pressure deep in their own 22 and that allowed the home side mount an attack at close quarters and the try followed within the first 10 minutes.
It initially looked as if it might be another away day nightmare but the visitors slowly got into the game, Brad Taylor looked dangerous running from fullback throughout the game and when he broke out of his own half supported by Jamie McNaughton Penrith won a penalty on the 22 which Mike Fearon caressed over assisted by the wind. Fearon stroked over a second penalty after good work by Dan Richardson and the visitors had the slenderest of leads but they would need more playing into the gale in the second half.
They got their first try on the half hour, Sam Dudson fielded a clearance kick before Andy Muir had a storming run up the middle of the park and a delighted Adam Howe finished the move off from close range, Fearon converted and Penrith led 13-5, they maintained this lead till half time but did let a couple of chances go begging just before the break but they led by eight points as they turned to face the wind.
The visitors were under severe pressure on their own line as they defended three attacking lineouts in quick succession, when they conceded yet another penalty Richardson received a yellow card for pulling down the maul and then Manchester's forwards with a man advantage scored in the corner from their next lineout.
Penrith bounced straight back and scored a converted try from the restart to re-establish their lead, the home side secured the ball and fed the backs but the ball was mishandled and ran ran loose, Arran Pamphilon, who was huge in defence all afternoon was first to the ball and ran it in under the posts unopposed.
At the start of the final quarter Manchester scored two converted tries in quick succession which just about put the game to bed, the visitors conceded a number of penalties which allowed the home forwards good field position and they took advantage of it and from the restart they scored again with a sweeping move that should have been shut down before it started.
The home side now led by six and Penrith strived for the converted try that would get them back into the game, marshalled by George Graham they made excellent inroads on a number of occasions but couldn't quite add the killer blow. Penrith looked to have at least secured a losing bonus point but with two minutes left on the clock conceded a penalty head on to the posts and that also sailed over and they came away empty handed.
They did however come away with their pride intact after playing on the front foot in a good, open, well contested game given the conditions it was played in. They will now be looking to get back to winning ways with a home game against Glossop this Saturday.

Match details

Match date

Sat 12 Feb 2022

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

North One West

League position

2
Manchester
6
Penrith
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Ladies Sponsor - David Allen
Main Sponsor - Jenkinson's Forest Products