Eton Manor 3s V east London 2s

On a rainy Sunday Eton Manor 3s travelled to local rivals East London 2s. A few years ago Manor 3s used to play East London 2s on a regular basis and the games were always a close and hard fought battle. This game proved to follow the same pattern

Manor also had to factor in their lack of any rugby for the last month and a half. Manor were able to welcome back Dan Dyson and Carl back to rugby after long breaks with injuries. Also coming into the team was; the old warhorse Tony Armstrong, the grumpy Welshman Rhys, Young gun Harold, the ever beardy Tom Howell and the always happy Riaan. Making his Eton Manor bow was scrum half Louis.
Manor got to East London in good time and started their warm up well. Cushy on getting out first got his early grump out the way moaning about how East London had been warming up for the last 30 minutes…I think most of our team said to our self “I’m glad I’m not playing for them”. The Obese Johnny Keen led the warm up. Cushy told everyone to make the opposition hear us which caused severe oxygen flow for some of the heavier players on the team (not mentioning any names…Brad!). Meanwhile East London continued their warm up which would have the welsh rugby world cup team gasping for breath.

The game kicked off and manor went straight on the attack. Good phases and carries put manor into good position. New scrum half Louis bossed the forwards well to put manor in great positons however the East London defence held firm. A series of 5m scrums were awarded to manor with manors two props Ant Gilham and Luke Laurence dominating proceedings. However good defence kept Eton manor out before Carl slipped through to open the scoring. Louis took the conversion in front of the posts and kicked it miles. New ball please!

Manor then slipped their discipline and the east London fly half kicked the ball deep to the manor half. A good catch and drive proved unstoppable and East London levelled proceedings after a good kick by the fly half. Manor responded well and charged up field again with some good play by Ben, Cushy, Riaan and Ant. After attacking the try line and being kept out by stubbon defence Ant Gilham decided it was time to take matters into his own hand and told fly half Cushy to run a line off him. Cushy did what he was told (for once) and ant fixed the defence and cushy went over the try line without a hand being laid on him! Who said props can’t pass. A few minutes later the ref blew the final whistle and the first half was over. Manor rejigged their backline with tom Howell coming on but knew how having the wind against them would change the way they needed to play. The game then turned on its head with manor defending well before turning the ball over and then failing to make much ground or field position. East London attacked well but were met with stern defence from manor. There was a small scuffle which resulted in a couple of yellow cards but that didn’t open the game. East London managed a single long range penalty and good defence meant that the game finished 14-10 to manor

A good win for manor in terrible conditions. Worth mentioned for performances included; the front row of Keeny, Ant and Luke who dominated the scrum, Tony Armstrong was everywhere, Carl who tackled everything and then landed on his nose again, new scrum half Louis who didn’t seem phased by the conditions at all, Billy who broke the line constantly and Cushy who was his usual abrasive self.

Humorous moments included; Cushy cramping up on the sidelines repeatedly, Carl’s constant motivational chats to the forwards and then pats on the back which felt more like being punched, Tony Armstrong voluntarily staying in the second row, Harold coming on and everyone wondering who is was and then cheering him on as he charged down a kick, Louis’s incredible plans which none of us knew what he was on about and Riaan asking to only play 10 minutes and ending up playing whole game.

Made up stats that could be true
Cushy being angry - 7
Bobby running upright into contact – 12
Rhys looking unhappy – 10
Percentage of manor Props who threw up at half time – 100%
Carl damaging his face – 1
Riaan looking towards me hoping I would sub him – 5
Length of referee’s chat today- 20 minutes.

Many thanks to Werner who ran the line in terrible conditions and helped run the team and thanks to the supporters who braved the conditions to spport us. Next week Manor are at home and take on Basildon 2s.