Super Seconds claim another scalp.

Even though we beat Barking RFC away last week, for me there is still the nervous tension before every game that our opposition will be too strong for us in this new league, this was compelled further by so many players either being injured, called up to the 1st team or simply playing golf (Davey Hannah). But after many phone calls I managed to get a team together and off we went to Colchester.
The preparation was not ideal for this game as due to late comers and players getting lost 7 players arrived 25mins kick off. After a very poor warm up and some harsh words from Cushy it was time to start.

Obviously Cushy’s words were still ringing in the players ears because from the KO Eton Manor were right in Colchester’s faces absolutely smashing them back in the tackle. They tried to recycle the ball but all 15 players were driving them back with every tackle or ruck. Colchester was driven back a full 50 meters before their winger was driven into touch. All the Manor players were clearly pumped after this spell with lots of chat and back slapping. My pre game fears were now gone. “Game on”.

For the first 15mins it was all Manor with the forward pack winning lots of clean ball for the backs and totally destroying the Colchester scrum (which they did for the whole game). It must be said that Manor’s lineout was very poor all game and will need to be worked on at training this week.
So for all our pressure after 15mins a penalty was awarded to Manor. Reece reed surprisingly missed the easy kick but Colchester tried to charge down the kick so the ref gave Reece another go and this time he made no mistake (0 – 3)

As the game wore on it was apparent that even though Colchester’s pack were being given a torrid time their backs were a different prospect altogether. They were young, big and fast and looked very dangerous every time they got the ball in space. Colchester’s most potent back was their inside centre who was a big Polynesian with a tidy sidestep. He took the ball at pace, stepped inside some forwards, beat the last defender and was under the posts. Colchester got the conversion and after 30mins it was (7 – 3).

The game was now an even affair with both teams struggling to get a stranglehold on the game. Manor’s defence had to be at its best as the Colchester backline were in confident mood and tried to run from everywhere. However this was to be their downfall as on one such run they knocked the ball on and the scrum was awarded to Manor on Colchester’s 22. The scrum was controlled beautifully giving Reece Reed space to run. He was through the gap and dived over the line. Reece slotted home the conversion and that was pretty much half time. (7 – 10)

Even though we were winning the game was still very much in the balance. We knew that if their backs were starved of the ball were could beat them. Fresh legs were brought on and it was time to start the second half.

The next 40mins was a tale of two teams. It seemed like every time Manor got near Colchester’s try line we came away with points via either a penalty or a try but Colchester absolutely butchered 2 or 3 guilt edged chances on the Manor try line when it was harder to not score.

After 50mins a win against the head by the pack set Reece off on a mazy run which saw him tackled 2 meters for the line but he popped it up perfectly to the grey haired old fox Richard Stock who was playing his first game of rugby in many a year. Reece got the conversion (7 – 14)

The game was becoming a real battle with both sides putting in some crunching tackles. Colchester were started to look like scoring as their backs broke time and time again but there always seemed to but one last player on hand to quash their attack. The game was still in the balance so with young eagerness being curbed Captain Cushy asked Reece to pop over an easy penalty when the team were itching to tap and go for the try (7 – 17)

On 65mins Manor were awarded another penalty in front of Colchester posts inside their 22, then before I could call the penalty my decision was made for me when Reece saw Colchester waiting for the obviously three pointer. He tapped and shot between the napping defenders to score under the posts. Reece got the conversion (7 – 24)

Manor’s scrum was in total dominance now and they virtually won every single scrum in the second half, Colchester really struggled to contain Reece Reed as against the head he would ghost through gaps that just weren’t there for anyone else.
After one such break in the 75th minute Manor recycled the ball on the half way line and showed great hands to quickly ship the ball along the back line to 17 year old winger Harry T who flew down the wing and under the posts to score his 1st try in senior rugby. Reece missed the difficult conversion (7 – 29).

This is how the game ended and the super seconds had won their second away game on the trot in this new league.

Can I just say that the final score line of 29 – 7 does not reflect how close the game actually was. Colchester’s backs may have been very good individual athletes but their catching and passing skills were woeful as was their decision making so Manor were often let off the hook when it looked as though a certain try was about to be scored. But if they had taken a few of those 3 man overlaps then the game may have ended very differently.

A special mention must go to the pack who even though their line outs were absolutely shite, their complete dominance at scrum time gave Reece Reed a platform to launch his silky skills from.
The overall commitment to tackle the opposition was apparent last season and I am pleased to see it has carried on into this season. There were some real bone crunching tackles from both sides.

Clearly Man of the Match was Reece Reed who tormented the Colchester defence all game.

Our next game is at home and Romford and Gidea Park