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Real test starts here

3/ 9/2008

MANCHESTER embarked on their National League One campaign on Saturday with a visit to Bedford Blues.

The Grove Park side, who were promoted from National Two last season, have spent the summer preparing for their return under the leadership of director of rugby Dave Baldwin.

However, their first game in National League One for five years ended in the worst possible result - a 62-0 defeat against Bedford.

Lessons will be learned from the heavy loss, ahead of Manchester’s first home game of the season against Sedgley Park.

Baldwin said: "Our opening game at Bedford on Saturday was not the best start we could have wished for but next Saturday we have a chance to redeem ourselves with the visit of Sedgley Park.

"This will be a real yardstick for the club.

"We know a lot of the Tigers players and they know us well. We have got to win our home games so this will be a real test."

Manchester have retained the bulk of the successful squad from last season and have strengthened with the addition of both youth and experience.

The challenge of competing in National One with fully professional teams like Leeds, Exeter, London Welsh, Bedford and Plymouth is a daunting prospect but Baldwin is confident his team can compete.

"The lads have really worked hard over the summer and they are stronger and fitter than last season," he added. "We had a great season last year and we will be looking to play the same style of attacking, fast rugby that won us games and ultimately promotion.

"Their conditioning work has been superb and, although we will be operating with one of the lowest budgets in the league, we will have the capability to test the best."

New faces at Manchester include Richard Oxley (Plymouth), Ben Lloyd (Bordeaux), Will Runciman (Worcester) Dan Collier (London Welsh), Tom Eaton and Gareth Lewis (Halifax), Luke Stringer (Waterloo), Chris Parrott (Sale), Matt McLean (UWIC) and Ed Norris (Sedgley Park).

Now Baldwin and chairman of rugby Neil Sykes are looking for as much local support as possible.

"We are competing in the top echelon of rugby outside the Premiership in this country and every home game will see top class international players gracing the pitch at Grove Park.

"It’s an opportunity for every rugby fan to see top quality games on a Saturday afternoon and, for under 16s, admission is free."

Manchester host Sedgley Park at Grove Park this Saturday (6th), kick-off 3pm.