Eton Manor III 40 Brentwood III 0

Where to start………..A solid if unspectacular win against a young resilient Brentwood team, that was speckled with some older players. But was maybe more notable was the return of some ancient Manor legends Gary Walker and Dave Ingram.

Manor got off to a flyer, well let me caveat that by saying as much as flyer as the Manor fatboys can generate as they trundled up the pitch. The mauls and pressure allowed Kieron, who had an outstanding game in defence and attack, to bosh his way over for an early score. A similar approach up front allowed Eugene to go over for his first of the day. It looked like it was going to be a long day for Brentwood as the Manor pack, took complete control in the scrum and mauls. Even when the ball went wide it was the back row greyhound Barry that benefitted from a lovely run down the wing for the third.

It looked as if it was going to be a bloodbath score-wise, but Brentwood seemed to dig in and the free scoring try orgy never really materialised and the rest of the half remained scoreless. Possibly Brentwood were inspired by one of their players getting hold of the rugby ball and bouncing it, tennis-ball style off a snarling Gary Davies’ shiny bald head when he was trapped between the props – it certainly lifted the spirits of the those on the touchline watching.

The Manor only managed another couple of tries in the second half. A number of reasons likely contributed to that – significant personnel changes some planned, as Gary Walker, Dave Ingram, Hollis, Wille and myself came on, but also forced as Drew was taken off after getting knocked unconscious and taken off in an ambulance. This resulted in adjusting player’s positions with Barry being moved to outside centre. Now after seeing poor Drew being given attention for 10 minutes on the pitch, Barry was heard asking Jeff, ‘who’s being taken off the pitch then?’ when asked to move out to the backs……

The second half also saw the most sustained period of attack from Brentwood. They parked up in the 22 and then repeatedly made valiant efforts to get over the line – but never quite managed it. After one attack a loose pass fell to Tom who ran most of the length of the field and teasing his opposing full-back with his weaving run to go over in the corner. He celebrated his great solo try by vomiting on the half-way line.

Eugene got his second which was remarkable in that he started the move, which actually saw him pass the ball. Your correspondent made some yards and with just the full back to beat, generously passed the ball inside to Dave Ingram. Now normally I would never ever consider doing something like that, and would have greedily gone for the try-line myself, but I am getting old and Dave was yelling like a lunatic so I thought it better and safer (for me) to pass to him. On receiving the ball he then popped it up to Eugene who went over from about 2 yards.

So two victories out of two – a good start - but I think it would be fair to say that a fitter Eton Manor would have added a few more tries to the score card. For those of you with eagle eyes and good attention to detail will realise that the score doesn’t correspond to my match report – I have therefore missed a score or two – so please accept my apologies.

Finally – congrats to Paul Saunders who for once made an excellent contribution on the pitch – as referee. Good job.

1 Pete, 2 Gary D, 3 Rob S, 4 Private America, 5 Eugene, 6 Barry, 7 Ian W, 8 Mark A, 9 Jeff B, 10 Dave, 11 Seb, 12 Sparrow, 13 Kieron, 14 Drew, 15 Tom

Subs Gary Walker, Dave Ingram, Barry, Hollis, Willie, Rentboy, Steve Bowen

Report by Matt Evans