Manor travelled this week to play Old Haberdashers at a ground that historically they have always struggled at. Old Habs are bit of an oddity for a team at this level, they pride themselves on having a ‘no training policy’ and despite their team sheet changing from week to week they always put out a strong skilful side, and this week was no exception as they ran out worthy winners against a slow starting Manor.

Habs kicked off the match and after Manor kicked the ball back to them, they set up a series of quick attacks taking play into Manors 22 where the hosts backline moved the ball quickly along their line and went through a gap in Manors defence to take a 7 – 0 lead after only two minutes of the match.

Manor were still not in the game and although they turned over the first scrum of the game they were soon penalised for holding on to the ball in the tackle as they tried to build phases of play. This allowed Habs to work their way back into Manors 22 where they added to their score with almost a carbon copy of their first try. Again converted Habs held a comfortable 14 – 0 lead after only ten minutes.

The second score seemed to wake Manor up, their defence tightened up and they began to enjoy a period of possession. David Ogufere had a good run from inside his half eventually being stopped by a high tackle which Nik Horton kicked into Hab’s 22 for an attacking lineout. Although Manor attacked from here, they couldn’t break through and soon found themselves back defending inside their own half.
Here Manor again defended well and won a couple of penalties. This enabled them to set up an attack that would end in their first score, Ogufere again made the initial break before linking with Ire Onabajo, he broke through a couple of tackles before he again swapped passes with Ogufere taking play to Habs 22, here with the opposition fullback in front of him Onabajo drew his man then passed inside to Ciaran Preston who raced in under the posts from 20 meters out. Horton added the extra 2 points and after 23 minutes Manors were in the match at 14 – 7.

Although Habs now had a period of possession Manor were defending well and after a thundering tackle by David Banfield, Ogufere got over the ball and won a penalty. Horton kicked the ball deep into Habs 22 for an attacking lineout. Jesse Liston won the ball allowing Manor to set up a ruck, once secured it was passed out to Preston, who with the Habs defensive line closing him down, he kicked the ball ahead, chased after it, then grubber kicked it again and as the ball went behind the posts he won the race to touch it down and score Manors second try, which was again converted by Horton and after 30 minutes Manor were now level at 14 – 14.

Habs immediately upped their game and Manor now struggled to defend against their fast paced attacks and in the final 10 minutes of the half Habs scored two quick tries to end the half leading 24 – 14.

Manor kicked off the second half but it was Habs who were soon on the attack and after a good period of possession they worked their way into Manors 22 where their forwards drove towards the line and although the drive was brought to the ground their scrumhalf spotted the opportunity and dived over from close range to score yet another unconverted try, 29 – 14 after 5 minutes of the second half.

Habs continued to boss proceedings using good forwards runs in conjunction with some slick backs play and although Manors defended well eventually one of their backline saw a miss match with 2 forwards in front of him and he slipped between the two scoring a converted try 36 – 14.
Manor now made some personnel changes with Jack Scorer, Clem Harrison and Toto Odulaja all joining the contest and this seemed to spark Manor back into life.

From a lineout just outside their 22 Manor won the ball then Scorer drove the ball up field making 20 meters before finally being dragged to the floor, Preston, Banfield and Liston all drove powerfully on before the ball was moved along the backline to Lloyd Anderson on the wing, he broke through two or three tackles before outpacing the covering defence to go in under the posts from 25 meters out. Horton added the extra points and with 15 minutes played Manor had reduced the deficit to 36 – 21.

From the re-start, with Manor now in the ascendency, they secured the kick off and after a couple of forward drives Elliott Brown got his hands on the ball just outside his 22 and scythed through some ineffectual tackles and raced deep into Habs 22 where he was eventually brought down 10 meters short of the line, Manor recycled the ball but poor handling saw the ball knocked on and a good scoring opportunity missed.

Manor again had to go into defensive mode when Habs worked their way into Manors 22 where they attacked the try line, but Manors defence held firm and manufactured the best try of the game. After defending Manor turned the ball over allowing Liston to drive the ball up field before passing the ball out of the back of his hand to the supporting Brown who used his pace to evade attempted tackles taking the ball to Manors 10 meter line, here the ball was moved out wide to Anderson who broke a couple of tackles before feeding the supporting Odulaja who outpaced the coving defenders to finish of a length of the pitch try. Horton just missed the difficult conversion but Manor had at least reduced the deficit to 36 – 26 after 20 minutes.

Manor continued to enjoy a good period of possession and territory but they were let down by a bad final pass or a knock on when they had worked their way into scoring opportunities.

Habs continued to be an attacking threat and after a good period of possession where their forwards and backs attacked in unison, they found a way through Manors defence and scored their final try of the match which was converted taking the score line to 43 – 26

With time still remaining Manor had the final say on the scoreboard when after winning a couple of penalties a quick tap and go saw Ogufere make the hard yards before Brad Burrell, Banfield, Alex Leo and Jake Kane all drove on before Odulaja darted for the line, but was held up just short, Manor picked and drove for the line and eventually Banfield crossed the line and managed to get the ball to the ground for the last score of the game, with the try converted the score moved to 43 – 33 and although the ref did restart the game there was little time for Manor to score again and eventually the game ended with Manor suffering a disappointing 43 – 33 defeat.