Mancunians RL’s man-of-the-match Guy Butler believes his side’s win against Westhoughton Lions was well deserved as they notched their first victory of the season.
Elliot Jenks capitalised on a handling error from the visitors with only seven minutes to go to secure the six-point winning margin for Mancunians.
Returning from a thumb injury that saw him sidelined for three weeks, Butler said the win was deserved, but they still needed to improve.
“We played better, everyone got stuck in and we had more belief,” Butler said.
“Our defence was solid throughout the game, they only scored from our silly mistakes.”
Westhoughton that claimed the first points of the game, breaking through a retreating Mancunians defence to cross the line on the left.
David Keane began a series of individual pieces of Mancunians skill that ultimately set the sides apart, crashing over the line after selling the dummy to a scrambling Westhoughton defence – he also converted to level.
Debutant Stuart Poole was next to crash over the Westhoughton try-line, taking four Lions defenders with him in the melee, with Keane converting.
The visitors worked hard to pull one back just before the break – the Lions managing to spread the ball wide and scrape through to bring the scores level at 12-12.
An unfortunate handling error allowed Westhoughton Lions to capitalise and score from the second half restart.
Mancunians captain Mike Glennon inspired his side with a right-hand dummy bought by the whole Westhoughton defensive line and everyone watching, to score beneath the posts, with Keane converting to make it 18-18.
Mancunians finally edged ahead for the first time in the second half with only seven minutes remaining as Keane kicked forward a mis-handled Westhoughton Lions pass.
Jenks dived on in the opposition try area to set up a nervy-finish to the game, while Keane maintained his 100% kicking rate with the conversion.
The home side withheld a series of dogged Lions attacks to clinch a well-deserved first three league points of the season.
Mancunians next take on Bolton Mets at Hough End Stadium, Chorlton on May 4 at 2.30 pm.
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