It was a day to remember for Manchester Metropolitan as they finished their season on a high, ousting the University of Manchester 20-38 in a thrilling comeback for The Manchester Varsity Series.
At last, Varsity returned to a ticketed event, sold-out by both universities. As kick off approached, supporters were primed and ready to enjoy the evening, with the pitch-side bar serving drinks to further fuel the tangible feeling of eagerness and intensity.
The crowd, clearly in good spirits. Credit: uomsport @ Instagram
As seems to be the case in every encounter between these two sides, MMU drew first blood inside three minutes, thanks to a technical move at the lineout followed up with a powerful maul. On this occasion, MMU would hold this lead for the subsequent 77 minutes despite UMRFC’s best and most valiant efforts.
The two sides battled in the most physical encounter between the two in years as players put their bodies on the line for their respective universities, taking hard knocks, and picking up dead legs and broken noses.
MMU would score next with another try and conversion to take their lead to double points, yet soon after, UMRFC were at last recognised for their endeavours when back rower Charlie Daniels crashed across the line after a maul move taken straight from the training ground. A successfully converted penalty on the stroke of halftime by Campbell Murray left the scoreboard at 8-12 to the visitors.
Fitter and more physical in size and stature, MMU piled on the points through raw aggression in the forwards and fast flair offloads in the backs for the majority of the second half, by 70 mins, they held a considerable lead of 38-8.
But the lads in purple never dropped their heads, showing real perseverance and great will to stay in the game. As Douglas Blood capitalised on a simple handling error from MMU and ran heroically from his own half over the line, even picking up a pulled hamstring for his troubles.
Minutes later, and following a line-break into the MMU 22-metre line by Will Green, the ball was quickly sent into the hands of Patrick Ridley before being perfectly dropped onto his boot for Mattie Cranwell to blitz passed the blue defence, expertly collecting the kick on the apex of the bounce and gliding across the line.
The fire in the purple heart never went out though with particular praise going to Finn Lyttle, the tighthead prop, not only for playing his first ever 80-minute match but also for finally getting rewarded for his match long effort with a scrum penalty in the dying minutes and punching the air towards the undying crowd of UoM supporters, more than redeeming himself of his flagrant yellow card in the away fixture earlier in the season.
A hotly contested line-out. Credit: uomsport @ Instagram
The game concluded 38-20 overall, a fair reflection which highlights MMU’s strength and brawn as well as crediting UoM’s resilience to fight back and restore some pride. A couple of lucky bounces and mistakes proved costly and, on another day, perhaps they would have gone the way of the purple shirts. Still, both teams put on a resoundingly positive and constructive performance that left the crowd thoroughly entertained.
UMRFC ought to be proud of themselves after a match like this. They were able to cut the deficit from the previous meeting with MMU by over half showing that the side has the talent and ability to push for promotion next year and compete with teams of MMU’s standard on a weekly basis. In many instances, it was merely being able to finish their chances that held them back from keeping up with MMU during the second half. How the club and its players utilise the summer break will be pivotal in their pursuit for a triple promotion.
A mid-game team talk for UMRFC. Credit: uomsport @ Instagram
Finally, a huge thank you is in order for all players who played their final game for the club and have given up their time and effort over the last few years. The transformation that UMRFC have undergone post-pandemic wouldn’t have been possible without your help and your legacy at the club will continue to inspire those players that remain, and those that are still to come through.
To keep up to date with all things University of Manchester Rugby Club related as they begin preparations for next season and recruitment gets underway, follow their Instagram: @uomrugbyunion
