Manor 4s Season Up and Running

Manor were able to select a strong squad of 24 players, helped in no small measure by the mobile phone magic of Tom Winkworth and Mark Cushchieri who rustled up some players out of Tesco and IKEA to come back to the game they love!

Manor elected to kick off and Sparrow sent a high short kick to the forwards who had the lovely sight of Mad Tony bearing down on them for the first crunch. Stopped in their tracks Upminster chose to kick away however not finding touch they sent the ball to Brody on the wing. He collected well, and a couple of recycles later and after good work from Dave Ingram and Tharbish, Jonny Joseland was sent clear on the right to touch down for the opening score, and his first for Manor (no, I haven't forgotten, mate..!). Conversion nailed, Manor led 7-0.

Shortly after the restart the play was stopped for a bad ankle inury to an Upminster forward, he was later ambulanced away. The break in proceedings allowed Captain h20 to depart (to the relief of all concerned) and also Sparrow whose achilles was all achey-breaky. The 2nd row sub was easy with new boy Will Heaps making his debut (another one that needs following up…) but the lack of back subs meant an emergency role for Steve Tee at 12 and Ralph at 10.

Experience covers many things though and the two settled into their roles well. The ball was being moved along the line regularly to the wingers, a rare sight for the 4s, and another break on the left allowed full back Makosi to make the extra man and sprint over for Manor's 2nd of the afternoon. Conversion missed, 12-0.

Manor were comfortable in the game at this stage. Rallied by Dave "WORK HARDER!!!" Ingram dominance was attained, and assured when back row Harry Applebee surprised everyone by running, fast, in the right direction, with the ball in his hands to touch down near the posts. Conversion nailed, 19-0 Manor. To leave his former coaches pinching themselves he got another one shortly after that. 24-0 and half time.

The second half saw Manor ring the changes to give everyone some game time, a must at this level for the guys and beneficial to the Club as a whole to increase our player numbers. Shortly into the second period Manor were camped on the Upminster 5m line. Some classic cases of try line fever prevented the score being made earlier but territory was converted into points by Ingram who dived over from close range. The conversion was somehow missed by Harry Franceschi from right underneath, 29-0 Manor.

With the game and the result now looking beyond doubt Manor were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the gas and allowed Upminster to come back into the game. They kept possession well during a 10 minute period in the middle of the half and deserved their converted try when it came to leave us 29-7. A few positional changes were then made to restore the natural order of things, Brody came into the centre to move Steve Tee to the back row, Seb found his old home on the wing again and Manor wrestled back control of the contest.

Manor’s 6th and final try of the afternoon came from the perennially injured but yet somehow ageless Ralph. He picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park, spotted at least 3 holes in the Upminster line and went for it. Their defence took the sensible option and stayed out of his way once he had got going and he completed a good solo effort by touching down under the posts. The conversion was missed, again, from underneath, again, this time by Harry A to make it 34-7 to Manor, and that was how the game ended.

A good performance and a good win to get the season going. If we can keep these numbers up consistently, and learn to keep our heads both when attacking their line and also taking the spot kicks then more points and wins are up for grabs for us this season. Well done boys.

Man of the Match was a close run thing between Harry “two try” Applebee and Tharbish, however neither was present for the awards in the bar. Harry has no excuse however the attached picture will explain why Tharbish was also whisked away in a posh taxi. Given their absence the award went deservedly to Dave Ingram who is bringing a good dose of experience and know how to our ranks.

The Makowski Moment/Billericay Blunder went to Steve Tee for an outrageous attempt at a kicked clearance that only went as far as the grateful hands of his opposite number.

There is a week off for the 4s next week, we return on 12th October away at Ravens. UTM.