Port Take the Honours in Local Derby

As fixtures go, this is Spitfires local derby with many of the lads playing against school friends and classmates. Needless to say it is a match that both teams wanted to win.
A slow start from Spitfires resulted in Manchester taking the early lead with two quick tries in succession. A muddy and wet pitch made handling key but both teams rose to the challenge playing some nice rugby. Realising that Manchester were keen to play the ball wide and run at them, the lads resilience once again appeared and they dug in for a physical match. Some contentious decisions from the match official did not go the way that the team wanted, despite some querying protest from a 'vociferous' travelling support. Unfortunately the 3/4s kept being dragged into the breakdown leaving wide open space for Manchester to exploit and then having to back-track to cover open ground. But they fought hard and were quick to the breakdown and despite multiple OFF-SIDE infringements from Manchester retained the ball and got it to the speed merchants in the backs and on the wings.
As always some work to take back to the training pitches, not least to keep their shape and not get drawn in. That said Spitfires worked hard for the win with some well worked tries to take the win in the dying moments. Resilience and determination which seems to characterise this young side was once again evident and they should be pleased with a good win and their performance as a team and their reaction at the final whistle showed how much the win meant to them which was heartening to see.
Well played Spitfires!
Onward...