Manor verses the unbeaten Brentwood make us proud

I know I say this every week but a match against Brentwood was always going to be a tough match for Manor. Brentwood, last year’s Essex Cup champions are to date unbeaten in the league and having lost to Westcliff in the Essex Cup their full attention will be winning the league this year.

But enough of all this as we have to answer the weekly mandatory question; the quality of Brentwoods Sunday morning bacon roll. This week due to a clash of commitments I was not available to taste the delights of Brentwood’s bacon rolls. Not to disappoint or let down the numerous dedicated gastronomic readers of my reviews, or the closet bacon roll eaters (you know who you are), I looked for a solution. The answer was staring me in the face Big Bad David Ginger Reegan. You now have to imagine the next bit being said in Dave’s usual high pitch, quiet, mouse like voice ‘Gal you would not believe the bacon roll here. The baguette was crispy on the outside but nice and soft on the inside, the bacon was well cook and crispy but not burnt. The butter had melted all the way through, I even added a sneaky succulent sausage and of course smothered it with brown sausage.’

Having arrived a little late, split rugby duties with two sons, I saw Brentwood lining up a conversion. What I didn’t know was that the conversion was already their second and Manor were already 14-0 down. As I joined the other parents there were already comments about the number of decisions being given against Manor. For most other teams already going two tries down would have opened the flood gates, but as we all know our boys have heart and never let their heads go down and will always fight to the last whistle. A quick darting run from Waggers, side stepping several tackles and then at full speed saw Manor pull a try back and the conversion from Ollie now made the score 14-7. Game on.

The tackling from both sides was intense, a couple of Brentwood high tackles went un-noticed, but the dead lock was broken by a great run by Brentwood’s flyhalf scoring their third try (a slight suspicion of him dropping the ball on the line, but the try was given), Brentwood 21-7 Manor.

Manor’s team were showing confident fluidity, the players running well off each other. Manor were pressurizing Brentwood, a quick ball from Max to Adam, which he then kicked, chased and more importantly made the tackle now put pressure on Brentwood. Brentwood scrum, but Manor take it against the head, Jack at 8 and only a few meters away from the try line was unstoppable, Brentwood 21-12 Manor. This ended the exciting first half.

Second half saw Manor’s forwards really taking the game to Brentwood, but another great run from their flyhalf, a beautifully weighted chip and chase and a kind bounce saw Brentwood once again score, Brentwood 28-12 Manor.

Manor kick off saw a Brentwood knock on and Manor scrum. With his back to Ollie when the ball came out of the scrum and Max passed to Ollie the referee adjudge Ollie was not 5m back from the scrum. Penalty to Brentwood. Brentwood ran the ball, a Manor knock on meant anther Brentwood scrum, but another fantastic scrum Manor took against the head. A rip by Brentwoods flyhalf and another beautifully weighted cross field kick saw their winger run in their final try of the day, Brentwood 33-12 Manor.

Straight from the kick off Manor once again pressed forward forcing mistakes from Brentwood. All the pressure paid off with Jack scoring his second try of the day Brentwood 33-17 Manor.

Manor’s backs were now running freely at Brentwood but unable to capitalize on their procession meant the final score was Brentwood 33-17 Manor. On the day manor were the better overall team, our forwards dominate Brentwood and our backs showed skill and pace. Manor were beaten by two factors; an outstanding Brentwood flyhalf and a few referee decisions against Manor.

All in all a great game of rugby played at the highest level by both teams. Essex now knows Manor are a team not to be taken lightly. Bring on next season’s return match.

Spoke with the coaches and the men of the match are; from the forward jack Keeling and representing the backs Waggers.