Manor v Brentwood

Stato was seen running from the car park, a late kick off meant he was able to make the mad dash from sunny but muddy Romford (watching son number 2) to a cold but dry Brentwood in time for Manor’s third league match of the season. Having won their first two league matches everyone knew that this would be one of the toughest of the season against a Brentwood team that were unbeaten in the league last year.

The boys had the honor of playing on Brentwood’s first fifteen pitch; a pitch with quite a noticeable slope, a slope so steep you need mountaineering equipment to climb it. Manor started the match against the slope.

First Half
If Brentwood thought this match was a definite 2 points in the bank Manor soon demonstrated it was not going to be that easy. The game saw both sides fighting hard in a very even tussle. No ground was given easily by either side. Manor’s forwards were relentless, ruck after ruck, constantly driving the ball forward meter by meter, Brentwood’s backs breaking out only to be tackled by Manor’s. Manor’s backs breaking the line only to be met by a solid Brentwood defense. Manor were more dominant but a late penalty saw Brentwood take the quick ball, while Manor’s concentration had dropped, to score the only try of the half. Brentwood 7 – 0 Manor.

Second Half
Soon after the re-start Brentwood were awarded a penalty and interestingly decided to go for the posts. Three points duly added Brentwood were now more than one score ahead. Brentwood 10 – 0 Manor.

Manor were still making it a tough match for Brentwood with hard tackles from both sides till Brentwood’s winger finally broke a couple of tackles and crossed the line. Brentwood 17 – 0 Manor.

As we all know Manor never drop their heads and never give up till the final whistle is blown and this resolute attitude paid off as Adam score for manor, not an easy conversion as it was near the touch line but jack as cool as ever slotted home the extra two points. Brentwood 17 – 7 Manor.

Only 10 points adrift and playing the better rugby it was game on again. Unfortunately Brentwood didn’t read this script as one of their centre made a copycat try breaking some tackles and scoring. Brentwood 22 – 7 Manor.

The clock was now against Manor but the boys had the last say in the game with Jake making a strong run through the centre to score. Jack once again added the extra two points. Final score Brentwood 22 – 14 Manor.

Putting aside the score line this was the best game of rugby the boys have played, both sides played quick, accurate and hard tackling rugby. Neither gave any ground easily and Brentwood now know never to under estimate Manor.

Man of the match once again could have gone to a number of players; the forwards were awesome to a boy, the centres controlled the game, and the back three were always threatening to strike, but the coaches man of the match was Will for his fearless tackling and disruption he caused.

In all the excitement stato forgot to interview the squad, normal service will be resumed shortly.