Super seconds winning streak continues.

Manors second team overcame a spirited Harlow side last Saturday, but without Harlow’s generosity the game very nearly never took place.
Come meet time on Saturday it was realised that the second team’s kit had gone walkies, the club was searched from top to bottom but to no avail (Hopefully they will turn up this week). But after a phone call was made to Harlow letting them know that we would have to cry off due to no shirts they kindly offered their spare set. The game was now on and we were running very late. After sitting in the normal M11 traffic we got to Harlow rugby club about 10mins before KO.

This weeks Manor team had a different look to it with injuries, work commitments and internationals robbing the pack of quite a few players. But for the first time in many a year there are capable 2nd team players queuing up to play. Our friendly female referee gave us 10mins extra for a warm up and the game was on. We had decided to play a fast pace keeping the ball alive to test the fitness of Harlow, but the weather was terrible and Harlow’s pitch wasn’t much better. I wondered if this young side had it in them to win games against bigger older teams in horrible muddy conditions,

Eton Manor received the ball from the kick off and we were off…literally, the lads kept the ball alive beautifully popping passes out the tackle, throwing long passes, supporting each other and rucking with a great intensity. Harlow had not even touched the ball when a set move in the backs put Conner through a hole and under the sticks. Brad got the conversion (7 – 0)
Bloody hell I thought, I bet Harlow wasn’t expecting that, I know I wasn’t.

The first half settled into a nice rhythm with Manor dominating all area’s of the game. Harlow tackled for all they were worth but were playing up hill and into the elements, I knew they would be stronger in the second half. For once Manor’s lineout was functioning well, this meant the long boot of Brad could be put to full use when needed. Also Manor had the nudge in the scrum and even managed to nick a couple against the head, this meant lots of ball for the backs and it wasn’t long before the backs passed the ball along the line to winger Rodell who beat two players and scored in the corner. Brad missed the difficult conversion (12 – 0)

With Manor in complete control of the game the third try came after a lovely catch and drive from the forwards, everyone piled over the try line at pace and 2nd row Neil stood up with the smile and the ball. Brad missed the conversion (17 – 0)

Manor were 17 – 0 up inside 25 minutes but now the pitch was a complete mess and for the last 15mins of the 1st half many opportunities to score went begging as the mud covered ball was dropped.
So at half time Manor were winning 17 – 0 and Cushy made the changes making sure everyone got a game in these awful conditions.

The second half was a more even affair, Harlow now had a clear advantage in the scrum sliding the Manor pack backwards (I am not sure what changed) and Harlow now had a lot more possession. From a penalty they kicked to the corner, won their lineout and laid siege to Manor’s line. The defence looked strong until the ball popped out the side of a ruck, nobody from the Manor team saw it and were busy defending the ruck and only realised when Harlow’s player picked it up and scored in the corner. It was probably camouflaged with mud. The conversion was missed (17 – 5)

The rest of the game was an even affair with injuries to players slowing the game down and most of the game was played in the middle of the mud bath…I mean pitch. That was until a Reggie made a half break in the centres, he stayed on his feet and made a lovely offload to 2nd row Tom Cat at full tilt. He was away and under the posts with no more than 10 minutes left. Brad got the conversion (24 – 5)

With light fading and players shivering uncontrollably the decision was made by both captains to end the game early. The very capable but frozen referee has no objections and we were done.

Time to run back to the club house and defrost our mud covered bodies under a warm shower. That would have been nice if Harlow has showers that actually worked, only 2 shower heads out of 8 worked and these only trickled out a tiny amount of water with some 40 odd rugby players queuing patiently for them. We were not happy bunnies, but I feel sorry for the Harlow players as they have showers like that every week.

The showers were soon forgotten when we ate some hot food and drank some cold beer.
Man of the match must go to 2nd row Neil who put his body on the line all game, he also scored the first ever try of his rugby career, so well done Neil.

That’s 9 wins on the bounce at the halfway point of this league. We now have to stay focused for the second half as promotion into Merit league one in fast becoming a possibility.

My final statement is to Harlow Rugby club. A big “THANK YOU” for lending us your spare shirts so the game could be played still. That’s the rugby way, you wouldn’t get that in football you know!

Next week is a well earned week off and then we are away to Upminster.