2nd XV
Matches
Sat 26 Jan 2013
Eton Manor RFC
2nd XV
41
20
Chingford III
 The Super seconds win again

The Super seconds win again

Dave Dennis28 Jan 2013 - 17:07
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No snow allows to match to go……ahead!!!

After a couple of good wins on the bounce confidence was high running into this game. The snow may have cleared but it had left a wet, muddy pitch. With illnesses and injuries all recovering at the same time I had an abundance of good players to choose from. Now we were very aware that Chingford’s first and second team had been cancelled due to the snow so we waited in anticipation to see how many ringers they would put into their third team. To be honest Manor are top of the league and Chingford third team are bottom so I couldn’t fully blame them. When asked before the game the Chingford captain said that there were three second team players in the team and that was all.

We looked sharp in the warm and were ready for the kick off.

With less than a minute gone Cushy made a beeline for Chingford’s dithering fly half. As the hit was about to happen Chingford’s fly half decided to kick it but it was too late. The tackle was made, the fly half missed the ball completely and toe punted Cushy right on the bicep. Off went the “old” fly half and on came the “new” generation in 18 year old Brad Cotton. As I write this match report I have just realised that Brad is half my age….Oh God that makes me feel old

Within 5 mins of play gone it was clear to see that this was not a bottom of the league Chingford side. After an even first ten minutes Chingford slotted an easy penalty to go up (0 – 3)
This was the wake up call that Manor needed and for the next 20mins they dominated the open play. Even though both teams were playing lots of open running rugby it was Manor who seemed to be making all the breaks.
Manors first try came when regular first team player Alex Hunter who was back after a long holiday made a telling break through the centres, he drew the last man to put Conor in the clear and he had enough pace to score between the posts. Brad missed the conversion. (5 – 3)
Soon afterwards Manor had bagged a second, after another open play break the ball found it’s way to Alex Hunter who out paced the covering defenders, stepped inside the full back and was under the posts. Brad got the conversion. (12 – 3)
Manor were not only running hard but tackling hard too with the talented back row trio of Gerby, Gav and Franny. These three players really set up the platform with their big tackles (low ones this week Gav) and their telling breaks, Chingford were really struggling to contain them and us. Anyway after more sustained pressure on the Chingford line scrum half Joe White spotted the unguarded ruck and simply picked up and shot over the line. Brad missed the conversion (17 – 3)
Chingford’s talented fullback deserves credit as he made about 4 try saving tackles in the first half alone thus stopping a complete rout.
With about 5 mins to go Chingford were awarded a penalty which they kicked perfectly into the corner. Their lineout was over thrown but it landed right in a Chingford players hands in the clear and he simply bundled over the line. Chingford missed the conversion. (17 – 8)

This was to be the half time score.

Changes were made at half time but we felt that Manor was in complete control of the game and it was only ours to lose.
10 mins into the second half the ball was spun wide to winger Sam Green who had a one on one with a prop, he easily rounded him and scored in the corner. Brad missed the conversion. (22 – 8)
The second half followed the same pattern as the first with both sides looking to run at every opportunity but again it was Eton Manor that looked more comfortable doing this. One aspect of Manors game that seemed to be struggling was the lineout. So on that note when Manor got a penalty just inside Chingford’s 22 experienced No 8 Franny decided to tap and go. Remarkably the Chingford team just stood on their try line and waited for him. That was never going to happen and Franny crashed over the line for Manor’s fifth try. Brad got the touchline conversion. (29 – 8)
The next try fell to Alex Hunter when after what looked like a slight Manor knock on, the Chingford team simply stopped while inside centre Alex carried on and went in under the posts. You should always play to the whistle!!!! Brad got the conversion (36 – 8)
Manor’s seventh and final try fell to 18 year old Conor who was on hand to finish off yet another break by the talented back line. Brad missed the conversion. (41 – 8)

With 10 minutes still to play it seemed that the game would be about how many more the Manor team would score but this was not the case. All credit must go to Chingford who upped their game and totally dominated the final 10 mins. With injuries and subs coming on the pack had a very different look to it and Chingford took advantage of this. They were camped on the Manor try line and refused to give it to their backs who in all fairness were getting hammered every time they got the ball. After about 20 pick and goes they finally inched over the Manor line to score. Chingford got the conversion. (41 – 15)

With 3 mins left scrum Half Joe White went down with what looked like quite a serious muscular tear. Chingford were asked to call it a day so that we could tend to Joe’s injury properly but they kindly said “no”. So we dragged Joe off the pitch and carried on. Chingford were back on the Manor try line and they resumed their pick and go tactics until they inched over again to score and end the game. Chingford missed the conversion and the final score was Manor 41 Chingford 20.

I don’t know how many ringers Chingford had in but that was definitely a team that shouldn’t be at the bottom of the league, the supporters reckon they spotted two first teamers playing but nobody can really say for definite… and to be honest the youngsters will learn quicker by playing against better opposition so I don’t really care.

A decent performance against decent opposition so well done all.

Man of the match goes to Alex Hunter. He really showed the pre-pubescent backs the standard a regular first team player can and should play at.

The Southend coach trip on March 9th is filling up very quickly so if anyone wants to come then please let me know asap.

We now have another week off then we will be at home to second placed Westcliff.

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Jan 2013

Kickoff

14:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

First XV Sponsor - White Skips Hire Ltd
1st Team Sponsor - Essex Security
Club Sponsor - Edwards Duthie Solcitors
1st team sponsor - Austin-Chapel LLP
Mens Shorts Sponsor - Macai
1st Team Sponsor - 1st Event Luxury Travel
1st Team Sponsor - Petty Son & Prestwich
Stand Sponsor - Brownes
Board - Thameside Roofing Ltd
RFU Member Club - Accredited RFU Club