Manor welcomed Chelmsford to the New Wilderness this week looking to extend their unbeaten run. Chelmsford have been having difficulties this season with a long injury list hampering their efforts, this being highlighted by the 108 - 0 drubbing they suffered last week at the hands of Brentwood. Manor continued with their philosophy of introducing promising players to the match day squad so that they get a taste of 1st team rugby. This week saw promising young lock Jack Sullivan (JS) make his first team debut from the bench, this would cause some confusion as another Jack Sullivan was already in Manors starting line up.

Chelmsford kicked off the match and it didn’t take Manor long to attack the visitors 22 when James Osborn broke from inside Manors half, breaking a number of weak tackles making 35 meters before finally being brought to ground, Manor failed to capitalise on the early chance when they were penalised at the breakdown allowing Chelmsford to clear the danger.
Manor almost paid the price for their sloppy play when Chelmsford worked their way up field with a good break by their No 8 taking play into Manors 22, the ball was then sent along the Chelmsford backline working an overlap out wide, but this was ignored and a grubber kick was put in behind Manors defensive line which the home side were quickest to react to allowing them to cleared the danger.

The first scrum of the day was awarded from a Manor knock on close to the halfway line. Chelmsford fed the scrum but the Manor pack drove their opponents backwards winning the ball and a penalty, Manors scrum would be something that Chelmsford would struggle with all day. From the penalty Manor kicked for an attacking lineout 15 meters out. Sullivan secured the ball and as Manor drove forward John Robinson broke off driving towards the line, when he was brought down 7 meters short scrum half Fred Newbury spotted an opportunity and drove on with the ball, supported by his forwards who drove him over the line for Manors first score. The conversion was successful from Nick Sheppard and after 9 minutes Manor led 7 – 0.

Manor were dominant in all facets of play and they soon carved out the next scoring opportunity. After good work from Luigi Martelletti and Chris Smith, Manor won a penalty in front of the posts and opted for a scrum. Here Chelmsford were penalised twice for infringements at the scrum, on the third re-set Misiona Evagelia drove off the back of the scrum, when stopped the ball was fed along the backline where Sheppard again made ground before freeing Andrew Connors to race over the line from 10 meters out. The conversion was missed but Manor had extended their lead to 12 - 0 after 18 minutes.

From the restart Manor attacked again this time Max Murray combined with Martelletti to take play to Chelmsford 22, the ball then went along the line where Smith and Connors combined well before a ruck was set up 5 meters from Chelmsford’s line. With Manor there in numbers Tryson Goodchild picked the ball up and drove straight through the middle and went over the line taking Chelmsford players with him to score. Sheppard was again successful with the conversion and the scoreboard had moved on to 19 – 0.

Manor continued to attack but were almost caught napping when the Chelmsford fullback intercepted a pass inside his own half and raced off along the touchline pursued by Martelletti and Nick Horton. Eventually Horton tracked his man down and brought him to ground short of the Manor try line.

Manor built their next attack from inside their half with Smith and Murray making good ground before the ball was taken on by Connors who broke through a tackle then drew the last defender before passing to Sheppard on the wing who scored Manors fourth, bonus point try. The conversion was missed, after 27 minutes Manor led 24 – 0.

Manor soon increased the score when from lineout just outside Chelmsford 22, the ball went to Smith who combined well with Connors before the ball went to Martelletti, he then swapped passes with Connors before feeding Murray out on the wing who sprinted in at the corner. The conversion was missed and after 33 minutes Manor held a commanding 29 – 0 lead.
Chelmsford to their credit continued to give their all and their efforts were rewarded when their left winger broke through some indifferent Manor tackling and from 30 meters out weaved his way over Manors try line for an excellent solo score. The conversion was successful with Chelmsford registering on the scoreboard 29 – 7. The score saw the introduction from the bench of Jack Sullivan (JS) for his debut.

Chelmsford plight was not helped when after another two infringements at scrums, one of their props was yellow carded. This allowed Manor to kick for an attacking lineout which they won and moved the ball along their backline to Sheppard who crashed over the line despite the attention of two Chelmsford defenders. The conversion was missed and the ref blew for half time with the score 34 – 7 to Manor.

Almost immediately from the kick off Manor increased their lead when good play by the Manor backs enable Murray to attack inside Chelmsford’s 22 before drawing the last defender and putting Sheppard into space to score yet another try. The conversion was successful and the score moved on to 41 – 7.

Chelmsford still tried to compete and now had a period of pressure taking play into Manors 22, but a knock on stopped any chance of increasing their score. From the scrum Evagelia drove off the back before the backs took the ball on, it was then fed out to Ollie Phillips on the wing who took play into Chelmsford 22, with the Manor pack there in numbers the ball was secured and moved quickly out to Martelletti on the opposite wing where he had the pace to beat the covering defenders for another Manor try. With a successful conversion by Horton the score was now 48 – 7 after 15 minutes.

The next Manor score came when Jack Sullivan broke through Chelmsford’s defence taking play into their 22, he was brought down 7 meters short of the line but Newbury was first to the ball and after ducking under a couple of attempted tackles he then broke another tackle before driving through the last defender and going over the line. The conversion was good, 55 – 7 after 20 minutes.

Newbury didn’t have to wait long before his next score. Manor had again worked their way close to Chelmsford line but a knock on prevented a possible score. From the scrum the Manor 8 drove their opponents backwards causing the ball to shoot out of the scrum. Newbury pounced on the loose ball and drove over the line despite the attempts of Chelmsford defenders to hold him up. With the conversion successful Manor increased their lead to 62 – 7 after 25 minutes.

Chelmsford again responded and had a period of possession inside Manors 22, but again poor handling let them down giving Manor the chance to clear their lines.

Manors next score came after Chelmsford had defended well and taken play close to the halfway line, they won quick ruck ball and moved it along their line, Connors spotted this and intercept the ball and ran in unopposed from 40 meters for a score in the corner. The conversion was missed, 67 – 7 to Manor.

Manors next score came from yet another scrum close to Chelmsford line which had been awarded for a Manor knock on, with their pack under pressure and going backwards the ball came out of the side of Chelmsford’s scum, Osborne was first to the ball, and drove over the line taking the Chelmsford defender with him. With the conversion missed the score was now 72 – 7.
With their opponents tiring, Manor were in total control with their backs making ground whenever they had the ball, a break from inside his half by Sheppard was the start of Manors penultimate try. He jinked his way past defenders before releasing Murray in space who sprinted over the line from 25 meters out. With Sheppard converting the score moved on to 79 – 7.

Manors final score came with a couple of minutes of the match remaining. They were awarded a scrum 8 meters from Chelmsford’s line which they won allowing Jack Sullivan to pick up from the base, a large gap appeared in Chelmsford’s defence and he raced in unopposed for Manors final score, with the conversion missed the score was now 84 – 7.

Although there was time for the restart the ref soon brought to a finish the totally one sided contest. Despite being beaten all across the park the Chelmsford players never gave up and were a credit to their team. With the attitude that they displayed, when their injury problems improve they should become a competitive side again.

Manor did what was asked of them recording a resounding victory. Next week see’s Manor in action away to local rivals Barking, a game that will signal the halfway mark in the season. This fixture will be a more difficult hurdle to overcome than this weeks game as Barking always seem to raise their game when playing Manor and next week is expected to be no different.