North Manchester rugby club highlighted the resurgence it has made in the last few years by having their two teams in competitive league fixtures for the first time in a long time last Saturday.

North’s 1st XV travelled to Preston Grasshoppers to face a strong, experienced team in soaking wet conditions. North were at full strength apart from new vice-captain Kev Green, winger Kyle Howard and centre Dave Garvey, and were eager to get the action started after a long summer break. North fly-half John Eady, who the club successfully persuaded to delay his retirement in the summer, kicked off with the backing of a strong wind.

Preston started the game the stronger team and North were under pressure from almost the first minute. Captain Gary Pugh was excellent in defence despite picking up a niggling calf injury in North’s last pre-season training session and put in several fine tackles close to his own line to prevent the home side from opening the scoring. North needed all of Eady’s experience and kicking ability in the opening minutes as he used the conditions to his advantage to clear the visitors lines with massive clearances on several occasions.

North’s opponents looked like they had worked hard in pre-season and were getting to the ruck in numbers meaning North’s backline was largely starved of ball and possession was turned over almost every time the visitors looked dangerous.

North’s scrum was functioning well in the first half and their big push forced a scrum to be taken against the head which allowed scrum half Matthew Wallace, who will be a major loss when the club lose him to University in a fortnight, to launch a massive kick deep inside the home side’s territory. Wallace chased his own kick and without a defender within 10 metres expertly picked up the slippery ball and dived over the line for the opening try. The conversion was missed but North led 5-0 after a difficult opening 25 minutes to the season.

North’s backs seemed to become accustomed to the horrible conditions and played some wonderful expansive rugby for the remaining 15 minutes in the half. The clever interplay from centre combination Chris Hyland and player-coach Andy Donley was creating a lot of space and allowed North to get behind the home defence on several occasions. This allowed try-machine Steve Donoghue to help himself to a brace of tries and continue the excellent form he showed last season. Scott Danby successfully converted one of these tries in the windy conditions to give North a barely deserved 17-0 half time lead.

The home side had the wind at their backs in the second half and frequently used the boot to gain territorial advantage. The second half was largely played in the forwards as the two big packs tested each other time and again. North lock Jason Malone and back row of Ian Thompson, Lee Roberts and No 8. Chris Taylor were behind much of the visitor’s good work, but the game became bogged down and neither side really threatened.

North had not played well but had recorded a 17-0 win against a good team in what was always going to be a tricky opening fixture. North second rower Jason Malone was awarded the Hayneswood Engineering Ltd man of the match award for an excellent display in the forwards.