Manor beat local rivals...

I’ve been a bit lazy with match reports this season but this game was such that it deserves one.

With 4 teams in action for manor, 17 of us made a short trip to romford to play our old rivals Campion. For years manor 3s have had titanic battles with Campion 2s and the usual result is campion winning (except for the final last year!). Manor arrived and were expectant of another tough encounter.

Manor 3s welcomed back Franny for his first start in about 2 years. Elsewhere in the team Ed played his first game for the manor after a bit of time out of rugby and Tomcat made his full return from injury. Manor had a late arrival at campion (lucky Cushy trusted his skipper in directions!) and as the warm up started we were greeted by snow…Oh joy.

The ref soon arrived and everyone was thankful that he wanted to get the game started as soon as possible. Manor kicked off and were immediately brought back for offside. Campion then used their gameplan to bash away in the bottom corner and use their pacy backs to make ground. However the Manor defence stood firm with big hits coming from Brad, Tomcat, Cushy and Elton.

Eventually Campion broke through and scored. Manor then got the chance to get in the campion half for the first time and good recycling of the ball and manor got the ball to ed who scored a very good try. The game then ebbed and flowed in manor’s half with campion kicking it deep and using their runners but were bashed back by manors defence. Eventually a lucky bounce allowed campion to score a kick through try to make it 14-7 at half time.

In the last play of the half little Jack White managed to role his ankle which resulted in myself having to play 9 for the first time in several years. I don’t think cushy realized what he was in for when he suggested me playing there. Needless to say he got used to catching the ball in all sorts of strange places.

Manor then started hard from the off and immediately played simple pick and go phases mixed with big carries and occasionaly going wide. Campion didn’t seem to realize how to defend against this and manor with some nice touches scored through Ed (again) and Franny. Campion then grabbed one back before a some great hands released Ciaran on the wing who managed to score despite 3 campion defenders trying to take him into touch.

Meanwhile the defence continued to put out the big hits with Elton and cushy leading the line. Campion picked up a couple of penalties following a manor yellow card and then manor scored another try through that man Ed again. Manor led by 8 and were cruising for the last 5 minutes before Campion scored a simple try which resulted in the game having 1 point in it.

Manor kicked the ball long and turned over possession before knocking on. However manors pack turned over Campions ball and Cushy got the ball and went down the blindiside but the ball was knocked on again. 30 seconds to go and campion scrum again. Once again Manors fine front row of Ant, Ant and Paul stole the Campion ball and Franny, thinking manor were behind (maths clearly isn’t his strong point!) charged towards the line to score a 5 pointer to seal the win. Franny then attempted the conversion which just about got off the ground and manor had the win!

Final score Manor 3s-34-28 Campion 2s

Man of the match is a tough one this week with good performances from everyone. Special mentions should go to Franny, Tomcat, Ant G, Elton but the stand out man in defence and attack was new boy Ed at full back.

Next week manor visit South Woodham ferrers and will hope to continue their charge up the table!

Thomas Winkworth