We’ll waste no time critiquing Westcliff’s ‘alternative’ bacon and egg torpedo roll as you all know my views from the last review, plus the torpedo breakfast was totally out shone by Manor’s best performance of the season.

Westcliff was bathed in sunshine, spring had finally arrived and all those months of rain, mud, cold and endless washing machine loads of dirty rugby clothes seemed to have finally ended. Even Johnny two coats was down to just one.

The boys put in an outstanding performance against Southend to reach the semi finals of the Essex Cup. Only one thing stood in their way of reaching the finals; ‘The Giants of Westcliff’. This time things were slightly different, the coaches had a game plan, the pitch was dry and Manor were up for playing their kind of fast pace running rugby, but no one in their wildest dreams could have predicted what was about to happen.

Both side were missing key players but all the players, coaches and parents had a belief that this time the boys could win this match. The match also welcomed Edvardis and Daniel’s debut matches for Manor (boys remember this day, now that you’ve played for Manor you will forever be a Manor Boy (read the history of the club on the website)).

Manor won the toss and chose to play into the sun. Westcliff kicked off, the ball was caught by Edvardis and immediately the ball was being passed down the line though Ollie, Adam and Harry. Manor were running the ball straight back at Westcliff.

Manor were awarded a scrum, which Westcilff took against the head, this didn’t bode well for the 50 minutes of remaining rugby. Manor’s pace looked dangerous and was soon reward after a couple of strong runs by Ollie and Adam, the last of which saw Adam put the ball down right under the posts. Ollie confidently converted the try, Westcliff 0 – Manor 7.

Westcliff kicked off, the ball was picked up by Jermaine who once again ran it straight back at Westcliff. A brilliant fly hack by Anthony saw Manor on the attack which was only stopped by a knock on by Manor. Although Westcliff were awarded the scrum Manor were within 5m of their try line. Westcliff seemed to panic and knocked on as well, the Manor scrum was now holding its own and a quick ball to Ollie saw him also cross the line and score and convert. Westcliff 0 – Manor 14.

Westcliff kicked off again, a few knock on’s by both teams eventually ended with a Manor penalty. Max sent the ball down the backs; Ollie at pace to Adam, to Jermaine at full pace running straight down the touch line. A try looked certain till Jermaine was tackled into touch. As the ball came out of the line out and down Westcliff’s back a brilliant ‘near’ interception by Ollie Arnold nearly saw Manor back on the attack. Once again a few knock on’s by both teams saw the procession equal till Manor were awarded a scrum and following quick ball from Max, Adam once again crossed the try line and Ollie kept up his 100% conversion rate; Westcliff 0 – Manor 21 (all the parents were rubbing their eyes with disbelief, was this really happening).

If the parents thought they were dreaming their dreams were about to come true; Westcliff kicked off, Anthony caught the ball and ran, off loaded to Adam how showed his pace and went straight back under the posts. Ollie once again converted; Westcliff 0 – Manor 28.

Westcliff kicked off again, and once again Anthony caught the ball. This time the off load was to Gabe who this time showed his pace and strength and ran it straight in to score right under the posts again. Ollie once again converted; Westcliff 0 – Manor 35.

Final play of the first half saw Anthony fly hack a ball through Westcliff’s defense, Adam pick up the ball and had an easy jog into score. Ollie 100% conversion rate continued. Westcliff 0 – Manor 42.

Manor kicked off the second half, a testing high ball saw Westcliff miss the catch and knock on. The Manor scrum was now rock solid, as soon as the ball was out of the scrum it was straight down the backs to Waggers who sped down the wing and pressured the Westcliff defense. Westcliff were awarded a penalty which they kicked into touch, but barely made any ground. From the lineout Westcliff tried mauling the ball down the field but only succeeded in knocking the ball once again. Another solid scrum from Manor saw Gabe pick up the ball, a straight hard run handing off a couple Westcliff players and he once again straight in under the posts. Ollie duly converted; Westcliff 0 – Manor 49. This seemed to be the killer blow to Westcliff, they had played well but on this day were out classed and their heads seemed to have dropped.

From the restart the ball was soon back into Manor’s hands, Ollie broke a couple tackles and found himself in space to easily run in the last try, and subsequent conversion, of the day. After ten minutes of the second half the referee blew the final whistle, final score Westcliff 0 – Manor 56.

This was truly this season’s finest performance from the squad. It was a whole team performance, they all showed total unselfishness, it wasn’t about who scored, it was about playing free flowing running rugby. The forwards need a special mention, without their total commitment at the scrum, the tackles, rucks and mauls the backs wouldn’t have had the ball and the freedom to run it. Great team play from one and all, it wasn’t about the 20 boys who represented Manor today this was also for all the boys who weren’t there, it was a whole squad victory.

A couple of special mentions amongst the parents; Steve Arnold for being the strict linesman, moaning and grumbling constantly for 35 minutes and then for John Wagstaff up holding his promise of dropping his trouser’s. Fortunately everything was covered and Harry’s face was a picture (talking of pictures did any of the parents capture this ‘special’ moment?).

We should also mention the coaches; Mick, Simon and Stuart and a huge thank you for all the hard work and commitment they’ve shown to the whole squad, those long hours on cold muddy winter nights have paid off. I’ve heard Mick slept all night with a huge smile on his face which is still there.

Lastly Mick nominated two players of the day; from the forwards Gabe and from the backs Adam.

We now face Chelmsford in the final of the Essex Cup in two weeks time…………..Game On.