Magnificent Manor Overcome Southend

A bit of bad news for you all. As the kick off was not till 12:30pm I had already had my breakfast and therefore there’s no review of the bacon roll this week. I know you’re all bitterly disappointed that there’s no bacon roll review, but it was a home match and I’m sure you all know as much about manor’s bacon rolls as me.

So with no more bacon roll review it’s straight to the main event; Manor verses Southend, the third of the season and a chance for Manor to seek revenge for the last couple of narrow losses.

There have been some great sporting comebacks over the years; France overcame a 14-point deficit in a World Cup semi-final to beat the mighty All Blacks at Twickenham, 30 October 1999, Manchester United scoring 2 goals in injury time to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 19991 UEFA Champions League Final, Leinster who were 16 points adrift at half time and went on to score 27 points and win the Heineken Cup Final…………and now Eton Manor join these great achievements by overturning a 17 point, unanswered deficit to win the quarter final of the Esssex Cup in spectacular manner.

With the recent rain and muddy pitches it was never going to be beautiful rugby and there was plenty of handling errors from both sides throughout the match.

Straight from the Eton Manor kick off Southend were on the attack and were pressurizing Manor’s defense. It started with a penalty just 10m off the Manor try line. Wave after wave of Southend forward drove the ball ever forward, Manor defend to a boy but finally they crossed the line. Thankfully Manor’s forwards held the ball up, the referee signaled for a Southend 5m scrum. Southend were off attacking again and were awarded a penalty for Manor coming in from the side, again they crossed the line, this time held up by Adam. In this intense period of pressure there were knock on’s from both sides. Every time Manor had the opportunity to get the ball and clear their try line there were errors which meant Southend would retained the ball and were attacking Manor. This constant pressure was finally rewarded for Southend as they score their first try. The conversion was missed, Manor 0-5 Southend.

Unfortunately the Manor restart didn’t go 10m, Southend chose a scrum. All the Southend player lined up to the left of the scrum, other than their right wing who stayed out on his wing. In what appeared to be a well practiced set move their scrum half ran to the right and quickly passed the ball to their winger who immediately set off at speed. This was looking dangerous for Manor as we all knew their winger had plenty of pace but out of nowhere came Anthony and nailed the tackle and into touch. Manor were awarded a couple of penalties and there seemed to be a glimmer of hope they would final get out of their half. A Southend knock meant Manor were awarded a scrum, but Southend’s well drilled scrum was demolishing Manor’s and they won the ball against the head, ran it down the pitch and in for their second try. Once again their conversion was missed, Manor 0-10 Southend. Things were looking ominous for Manor. The final play of the first half saw Adam fly hack a loose ball, finally Manor were out of their half, Adam chased the ball and picked it up, the Manor parents were screaming, unfortunately to no avail as Adam was tackled into touch and the referee blow for half time.

Mick’s half time chat must have work wonders as suddenly Manor were getting more of the ball and were able to start testing Southend’s defense. Knock on’s and Southend defense meant Manor were still scoreless. Then out of the blue Southend managed to fly hack a loose ball and suddenly Southend were back on the attack. An awkwardly bouncing ball meant Manor could pick it up, Southend hacked again this time over Manor’s try line. A sure try for Southend was saved by Jermaine at full speed beating the Southend players to the ball and kicking it dead. Another Southend scrum on Manor’s 5m line. Manor’s scrum that had been dominated in the first half was now fighting back and took the scrum against the head and Max box kicked the ball into touch. The relief was only short lived as another Southend scrum ended up with their third try and conversion. Manor 0-17 Southend. Surely the match was over and Manor were looking at being thrashed.

I’ve said it in the past and today was yet another great example of the boy’s spirit and belief in themselves. I think they were more annoyed at themselves as they knew they could play better. Now Manor were taking the attack to Southend. Maybe Southend had relaxed thinking the match was won, maybe they were tiring or maybe Manor’s desire to play the rugby they knew they could play was paying off. Manor’s back were now running at Southend and opening gaps up. A Southend scrum in their 22 saw Max harass their scrum half who panicked and tried passing the ball. Jack D intercepted the pass but was tackled, support came quickly from Jack K who ripped the ball, crossed the line and scored. Unfortunately the conversion was missed, Manor 5-17 Southend.

Manor’s confidence was growing with every minute. A great run from Vinnai, a pass to Ollie saw him thread his way through their tackles and over the try line. Jack conversion now meant it was Manor 12-17 Southend………..Game On.

There was now some nerves amongst the Southend parents and perhaps some doubt was creeping in the Southend players as well. With only the clock that could beat them the pressure was on Manor to score and Southend to defend. A great rip from Ollie and an off load to Adam saw Manor on the attack once again. Adam side stepped Southend’s winger saw the gap and ran for the line. The sound of Manor’s parents and team mates must have been heard at the club house. He was over the line and as he run to put the ball down between the post there was the slightest hint of show boating or was it relief? Manor 17-17 Southend, Jack coolly stepped up to take the conversion and totally un-nerve slotted it straight between the posts, Manor 19-17 Southend.

The referee signaled time was almost up, all Manor had to do was retain the ball from the re-start and kick it dead. That was the plan, but one that went wrong and Manor knocked on. The Southend scrum gave them procession, and a renew energy from Southend saw them creep it forward. Manor then gave away a penalty and wave after wave of Southend attacks were repelled, till Max C finally got his hands on the ball and kick it into touch and the referee blew for full time.

In fairness to Southend it was as tight a game as all the encounters have been. Southend played extremely well, were powerful in the scrum but Manor sheer determination and self belief paid off.

Congratulations to each boy who was either playing or substitute for the day. This report is already too long to mention all the player was contributed as it would be all of them, but Max C business around the scrum and harassment of Southend scrum half should get a special mention.

Bring on Westcliff.