Tom Hughes produced a man of the match performance as he led UCLan Men’s 1sts to a 32-3 victory over Manchester 4ths.
It was a frustrating opening 20 minutes for UCLan as Manchester threatened to cause an upset. Poor defending form the home side, nearly led to the first try of the game within seconds of kick off but UCLan regrouped to cut out the danger.
As the half went on UCLan began to take hold of the game, good passing and piercing runs from Tom Hughes and Joe Moretta pinning the visitors in their own 22.
UCLan twice ignored the opportunity to take three points from penalties, and profited from this judgement as Marc Irving went over with 25 minutes gone. Pressure was piled on the Manchester defence from the line out, with UCLan earning a penalty five yards out leaving Manchester unable to contain the drive of Irving. Ryan Miemczyk added the conversion.
Following the breakthrough UCLan allowed the tempo of the game to drop as Manchester began to come back into it. The away side’s pressure led to UCLan’s Andrew Banks being harshly sin binned for a high tackle, with Manchester adding the three points from the resulting penalty.
The half time score flattered Manchester at only 7-3.
Both sides exchanged blows at the beginning of the second half as Manchester threatened a come back. Similarly to the first half though UCLan got to grips with the visitors attack and pinned them back into their own half. Marc Irving full of confidence after his try went on a great run through the centre offloading well to Ash Watts who drove forward and earned a penalty for offside. Ryan Miemczyk took the three points and put his side 10-3 up.
UCLan completely dominated the second half’s play, Tom Hughes was brought down with the line in sight after good work in the centre from Luke Roberts.
Mid-way through the second half Ryan Miemczyk added a further three points, but UCLan couldn’t find that illusive second try. Charlie Dunn floated a delicate kicked pass over the Manchester defence but Chris Heptinstall couldn’t quite bring the ball under control.
UCLan eventually did unlock the Manchester door for the second time after a darting run by Marc Irving. Play was spread to the left wing where Tom Hughes gathered, evaded two tackles expertly and went over for his first try of the afternoon. Ryan Miemczyk did the duties with the boot and duly converted extending UCLans lead to 20-3.
Then came the try of the game, Chris Heptinstall gathered at full back and evaded two tackles before chipping the ball over most of the onrushing defence. He charged down the attempted clearance of the opposing full back and pounced on the loose ball as it bobbled over the line. Ryan Miemczyk missed the attempted conversion.
The final try of the game came late on as UCLan dominated play. Tom Hughes gathered on the left wing and glided past two tacklers as he scored his second try of the game. Ryan Miemczyk added the conversion to give the final score of 32-3.
Captain Ash Watts said: “It was a well contested game, and we had a great game plan.
“The difference between the sides in the end was that we were clinical with our chances.”
P Pts
1 University of Central Lancashire Men’s 1st 5 15
2 Keele University Men’s 1st 5 12
3 MMU Cheshire Men’s 1st 4 6
4 University of Liverpool Men’s 2nd 5 6
5 Lancaster University Men’s 1st 5 6
6 University of Manchester Men’s 4th 5 6
7 Bangor University Men’s 1st 3 3
8 University of Salford Men’s 1st 4 0
