Super seconds too good for Thurrock

Thurrock’s 1st team play in national 3 so it was expected that their second team would be strong. They were clearly taking this game seriously as they were changed and warming up way before we even left the changing rooms.

Our warm up was lack lustred and after winning a few games there was an element of swagger and cockiness amongst the players. As captain I tried to talk tough but it never seemed to work. Thurrock looked a decent enough side and it was clear to see that they had brought a big pack to try and dominate the game. I was a touch worried that we were about to have a rude awakening.

From the kick off Thurrock attacked Eton Manor, wave after wave of big runners coming off the scrum half smashed into our defensive wall but we were not breached. Then after 5mins the Thurrock No.8 ran into the centres where he was double hit by old boys Riaan and Cushy who drove him back. The ball was ripped from his grasp and quickly passed to winger Sam Green who tried to hand off his opposite number, as Sam only got half tackled he stayed on his feet and offloaded the ball to scrum half Joe White who went over in the corner. Brad missed the conversion (5 – 0)

We knew not to get too carried away as that had been our first touch of the ball. Thurrock had already shown that they had definitely come to play open fast rugby.

Again from the kick off Thurrock used the same tactic of having big forwards running off the scrum half but for the second season running the Eton Manor defence is proving a tough nut to crack. Then just like the first try, the ball was stolen at the ruck and fed to the waiting backs who showed great vision to get the ball to the open space and put speedy centre Conor Saville in the opposite corner to score. Brad got the touch line conversion. So after 10mins Manor had only really got the ball twice and scored two tries. (12 – 0)

This told us two things, that we could hold out Thurrock’s attacks and that they were clearly going to struggle to hold out ours. Now Manor got thier hands on the ball and with the help of some nice running from the back line we were inside their 22. The penalty was awarded to the Manor and up stepped Brad to slot over the easy 3 points. (15 – 0).

Even though The Manor looked the much better side in the contact area and in the backs, for the first time this season the pack were being tested. It seemed as though the scrums were fairly even with both packs getting the nudge on at different times but the Manor lineout was very poor which meant we handed the ball over to Thurrock at nearly every lineout, but on the flip side Thurrock’s lineout’s were perfect.

Both sides also had to put up with a whistle happy referee who came up with some very dodgy decisions against both teams but you dare not say anything as that would get you a yellow card…..... But having a big fight was ok as that only warranted a verbal telling off.

Manor were guilty of trying too hard at the break down so after being camped in the Thurrock 22 we gave away 3 penalties in quick succession. With accurate kicking from the fly half Thurrock went for the lineout in the corner. The catch was good but Manor drove the Thurrock maul back at a rate of knots, when the danger seemed averted their No.8 peeled blind and managed to squeeze the ball into the corner for Thurrock’s 1st try. The Manor team was unhappy with this decision as the ball was not only short of the line but the Thurrock player clearly dropped the ball too. But the ref’s decision is final so there was no point in arguing about it. The conversion was missed. (15 – 5)

On the half hour mark after good work from the forwards the ball was shipped out to the backs who put Conor through a hole, he showed great awareness to hold his run and wait for Sam Green to support, then a perfectly timed pass put Sam in the corner for Manor’s 3rd try. Brad missed the conversion (20 - 5)

Manor were clearly on top now and were taking control of the game. 5mins later the ball found it’s way to Cushy who threw a lovely dummy that the Thurrock defence fell for and he was off, he expertly drew the fullback and put the silver foxed flanker Stocky in for the try, with age comes snail like pace and unbelievably Stocky was caught from behind but with his silver hair flowing in the wind he managed carry the defender the final 2 metre’s to score near the posts. Brad got the conversion (27 – 5)

Half Time was Eton Manor 27 – Thurrock 5

Pretty much all the old boys came off at half time and all the fresh legged youngsters came on. Thurrock had also made some substitutions at HT and they had brought on some big lads, especially at front row. With this clear weight difference the Thurrock pack immediately started to dominate the scrums pushing the much lighter Manor pack backwards. This gave Thurrock a lot more ball and with a period of sustained pressure inside the Manor 22 they managed to bundle the ball over the line. They got the conversion (27 – 12)

The game was now a much more even affair now with both teams making half breaks, but from one of these half breaks came Conor at full charge, he easily beat the fullback to score under the posts. Nick got the conversion (34 – 12)

In the open Manor still looked the better side and were definitely winning the backs battle. 5 mins later Winger Nick Stewart was given a one on one with his opposite number and skinned him on the outside to score a fine try in the corner. Nick missed the conversion (39 – 12)

Now Thurrock upped their game and really took it to Eton Manor. A half break here, an offload there and they were off down the middle of the pitch. The penalty was awarded to Thurrock in front of our posts and we were caught napping as the tap and go was easily scored between the posts. They got the conversion (39 – 17)

Manor started to bring on the older players again to try and steady the ship as Thurrock were now getting on top but it didn’t really make a difference. Thurrock’s tails were up and they were playing some nice rugby, then all of a sudden against the run of play old boy Cushy made a break, side stepped the outside centre and was off plodding down the field. With half the Thurrock team about to tackle him he put in a well timed pass to flanker Riaan Sheilds who charged towards the line and just about had enough pace to get over the whitewash. Nick got the conversion (44 – 17)

This did not change the game though and Thurrock were definitely the better side in the last 20mins, and their pressure paid off when in the last few minutes of the game the ball was dropped inside our 22. The Thurrock winger hacked it through and was first to touch it down. They got the conversion (44 – 24)

This was to be the final score. A very enjoyable game against decent opposition. The game has flair, big hits, good tries and a couple of dust ups. Just what the doctor ordered.

For the first time in two seasons I would say that the oppositions pack got the better of our pack, but hopefully this will spur them on even more.

It was hard to pick a man of the match but Riaan at No.8 played very well even though he was ill. Also Joe white at scrum half had a strong game.

Next week we are away to Southend. It will be a 14:00 KO to accommodate their busy fixture list.