The Manchester Titans travelled to local rivals the Lancashire Wolverines looking to continue their good start to the 2008 campaign and looked on course as they scored on the opening drive of the game. After good work from Phil Walldecker, and then Phil Fitzpatrick, running back Dave Barnett was able to run home from 47 yards out to give the Titans a 6-0 lead.

The Wolverines thought they has responded instantly but a 60 yards run was called back for a penalty. The Titans then appeared to have ended the drive but the Lancashire punt took an awkward bounce and hit a Titans players allowing Lancashire to recover. This proved costly as 11 plays later the Wolverines ran in with a 3 yard sweep. The PAT was initially rushed by the Titans but quick thinking saw the Wolverines pass to take an 8-6 lead.

The Titans regained the lead in the second. The Titans defence forced a fumble in Wolverines territory after a tackle form Stuart Hay, for quarterback James Keogh found receiver Phil Walldecker with a 15 yard pass into the corner. The Titans PAT was kicked by Dave Barnett to give them a 13-8 lead.

A 43 yard return from the ensuing kick off gave Lancs the ball on the Titans 30 yard line and eventually the Wolverines regained the lead with a 4 yard QB sneak. Poor ball control cost the Titans as Lancs were given the ball in Manchester territory on each of their last 4 drives on the half. The pressure told as a 12 yard outside run gave Lancashire a 20-14 half time lead.

The second half only got worst for Manchester, unable to gain any offensive production the pressure was on the defence but unfortunately the Wolverines offence was moving the ball freely. A 35 yard pass and another outside run extended their lead to 34-13.

Things could have been much worse for Manchester as the Wolverines has two other second half touchdowns ruled out for penalties.

The game appeared to be over, but after an interception and a 30 yard return from Stuart Hay gave the Titans good field position, Manchester’s offence was able to put a good drive together with Dave Barnett eventually going in from close range.

From the following kick-off Carl Rugen forced the Wolverines returner to fumble the ball and after Mark Owens had kept the play alive Adam Simms was able to eventually scoop the ball up deep in Wolverines territory. Dave Barnett was again able to score and with the two point conversion successful as quarterback Alan Mead found Adam Simms the Titans were only one score behind.

The Wolverines were able to hold onto the ball this time and run out the clock to claim a deserved 34-27 victory. A disappointing performance for the Titans on both sides of the ball as they were outplayed by a Lancashire side who seemed to have more desire to win the game.