Eton Manor upset Upminster and win a critical league match

It was a sunny Sunday morning as Eton Manor arrived at Upminster's homely ground. The boys were well aware of what was waiting for them, a team well drilled and well trained by some of Essex trainers and team containing no less than 9 Essex players. The day seemed daunting!!(too nervous even for a bacon roll!)

First Half

After a warm up session, where we were told to vacate the pitch and a belated start Eton Manor got off to what can only be described as the perfect start. Anthony Regan took advantage of a poor start by Upminster and punished them by scoring under the Upminster posts within 9 seconds (this could this be the fastest try at U14 level ever scored?). Jack Keeling added the conversion points. Upminster 0 - 7 Eton Manor.

A blip by Upminster's standards and surely the game was not going to continue in this fashion and be so 1 sided!!

However Eton Manor began to get an early vice like grip and began to exercise a type of rugby that they train hard for every week.

Another score was imminent but when?

Slick passing through the Manor backs was met with stout resistance. Manor's persistence paid off when after some good counter rucking led to a penalty from Manors scrum Edvardis went over for an unconverted try. Upminster 0 - 12 Eton Manor.

A lot of the game now being played in Upminster's 22 and battles being fought all over the field Upminster cleared their line only for Adam to score under the posts. Upminster 0 - 19 Eton Manor.

Second Half

Was the slope so significant or was Eton Manor that dominant? we would soon find out.

Rhe second half started with a great tempo but a loose ball picked up by Anthony who then showed nimble feet and the awareness on the loop to set Harry Wagstaff down the wing which resulted in Adam converting a fine move. Upminster 0 - 24 Eton Manor.

Upminster hit back and scored, was the comeback on? Upminster 5 - 24 Eton Manor.

The try boosted Upminster were know feeling a bit more confident after posting their first points and they seemed to be getting back into the game.

After a passage of hard play Edvardis picked up the ball rampaged through the middle and Anthony went over for his second try. Upminster 5 - 27 Eton Manor.

Straight from the restart the ball fell to Gabriel who swept out to the wing and turned on the after burners for what was surely the most popular try of the day and a celebration, a la Jose Mourihno, from his very proud father. Upminster 5 - 34 Eton Manor.

Game over

How do you pick a man of the match when a team so oiled played so well? But such a great performance of ball carrying and scrummaging pointed towards Regan and who can disagree?

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