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North show fleet of foot after floundering

21/ 9/2006

Fleetwood 7
North Manchester 27

MISSING several experienced players North made a spectacularly slow start as the Fleetwood runners broke through tackles with ease and took a 7-0 lead.

Fleetwood failed to turn their domination into a significant advantage, largely due to the defensive work of winger Steve Donoghue who put in several try-saving tackles during the early exchanges.

North were dealt a further blow when the influential Andy Donley had to leave the field with a groin injury. His loss, and the absence of an alternative scrum-half. meant North had to turn to rookie Adam Aubrey.

The youngster went on to the field with North playing poorly and losing 7-0, but he inspired the visitors with his impressive array of passing and understanding of the game.

North began to settle down and had a sustained spell of possession in Fleetwood's half. They started to dominate in the scrum, while Aubrey provided fly-half John Eady with excellent service, allowing Eady to control proceedings for the remainder of the half.

Donoghue grabbed a brace of tries with runs from the halfway line, and North led 14-7 at the halfway stage.

The visitors continued to battle throughout a close second half and were never really comfortable until the final few minutes.

Donoghue grabbed his and North's third try when he ran across the field searching for a gap in the home defensive line and left tacklers clutching at air. His run ended in the opposite corner to where it had begun and he gave his team a 19-7 lead.

North were still under pressure when they were awarded a penalty 40-metre from the posts. Eady duly slotted it home to give his team-mates a little breathing space at 22-7.

In the final minutes second-half substitutes Colin Meredith and Gordon Morrison combined to release Chris Taylor on the halfway line.

Last season's player of the year handed off the final defender before speeding away from chasing players to score his first try of the season in the corner.

North had come through a tricky game after a shocking start to record a 27-7 victory.

This coming weekend North's second team travels to Stockport for what is sure to be an exciting game.

North firsts entertain Tarleton, kick-off 3pm at Tudor Lodge.