Fourth team is flying form flag for club
AT the end of the first month of the 2017/18 campaign the news from Priory Park is that all round improvement is required down the line if the club is to enjoy the status of previous seasons on the playing field with only the 4th XV showing any signs of form during September.
Clearly player movements and the standard of rugby being played have had an effect on the teams from top to bottom but MRUFC is a big club and, as they say, things can only get better – let’s hope so.
On Saturday hitherto without a win Leicester Lions came hunting to Priory Park and in a sometimes fractious game not particularly well managed by the officials the visitors left with maximum points after a game littered with ill discipline on both sides that saw a red and several yellow cards produced by the referee in a game that can only be described if you were a teacher as ‘Unsatisfactory.’
Hopefully things can only get better but a trip to Whitefield on Saturday will not be an easy place to start the recovery as hosts Sedgley Park will be looking to come back after a 45-24 defeat at the hands of a Tynedale side that this season so far certainly looks the business in Two North along with Stourbridge, Sale & Hinckley.
The Lions (2nd XV) travelled the short distance to Heywood Road and Sale FC losing a close encounter 19-15 to end the month without success whilst the 4th XV continued their progress with a 10-3 victory over Marple Seconds.
The 3rd XV had a ‘free’ week but all sides will be seeking to find form this weekend with all except the 1st team having ‘home’ advantage. See fixtures for detail.
Another rather disturbing aspect of Saturday’s game was the actual turn out of support for the 1st team with less than a couple of hundred making their voices heard on the park so if you are a genuine Blues Fan then get yourselves down to Priory Park for the next home game on 14 October when Sheffield Tigers provide the opposition. The team will thrive on your vocal support as I mentioned last week following the Huddersfield game where the home support put us to shame.
Away from Priory Park and over at the AJ Bell our Premiership neighbours Sale recorded a thumping victory over Gloucester by 57-10 with former RL star Denny Solomona notching a brace including a first minute effort and talking that ‘other’ code there were two excellent games leading up to the Grand Final at Old Trafford this Saturday plus a very watchable ‘Million Pound’ playoff game at Leigh Sports Village. I will be watching that final on Saturday hopefully after the Blues return to winning ways over at Whitefield.
Tonight – Wednesday 4 October – kick off at 6.30.pm. at Priory Park why not come along and see Kings School take on Manchester Grammar School for what is the best in schools rugby in this area.
The Second XV’s play on the Derby Fields a bit earlier at 5pm.
Entry to the games is free and the bar & kitchen will be available all evening for supporters.
For those travelling to Sedgley Park on Saturday bear in mind that kick off is at 2.30. pm. and the home side play at Park Lane, Whitefield M45 7DZ.
It’s about 30 miles from Macc and should take just under the hour to get there but remember the potential problems with Saturday motorway traffic!
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
1st v. Sedgley Park – Away – 2.30.pm. 2nd v. Waterloo – Home 3rd v. Wilmslow 2 – Home 4th v. Linley 2 – Home All home games commence still at 3.pm. until the end of October.
Enjoy your Rugby – I do.