Manor verses Chelmsford

The morning before 'the storm' saw Manor hosting Chelmsford, their first meeting since the final of the Essex Cup last year.

Half term meant Manor had a very depleted squad for this friendly development match. Manor were missing nine players and most of those were backs, in fact Manor only had five regular backs. This meant Mick mixed things up a little bit, experimented with players in different positions and a star was born.

First Quarter
The coaches agreed four quarters of fifteen minutes each. For the first fifteen manor had scrum halfs out on the wing, second rows at full back and forwards as centres. A good experiment but it showed as Manor had no form or structure. Chelmsford made the most of this and finished the first quarter with 17 unanswered points.

Second Quarter
With a couple of substitutions and re-positioned players Manor came out looking more like the Manor we know and it didn’t take long for Ant to score Manor’s first try. Jack duly added the extra conversion points. Manor 7 – 17 Chelmsford.

Straight from the restart Manor were on the attack again; a great catch and run from Jake put pressure on Chelmsford ending with George scoring his first try of the season. Manor 12 – 17 Chelmsford.

Once again Chelmsford restart was caught and ran back at them by Ant and then Adam linking with Ant. A final pass out to Tiernan saw him show everyone just how quick and strong he is, our very own George North. No one came near him and Manor scored their third try. Manor 17 – 17 Chelmsford.

Third Quarter
The match resumed and Manor were now looking threatening as Edvardis ran in another try from a strong penalty run by Daniel. Manor 22 – 17 Chelmsford.

Adam came off temporarily injured but this didn’t unsettle Manor, a point proved as Jake score another try. Manor 27 – 17 Chelmsford.

Fourth Quarter.
In the last quarter Manor didn’t ease up, even from a scrum awarded to Chelmsford for the ball not going 10m Manor took it against the head. Jack off the back of the scrum linking with Adam. Another penalty was awarded to Manor and Edvardis to Jack and the ball was over the try line. Manor 32 – 17 Chelmsford.

High light of the last quarter was Adam’s clearance kick, luck,, skill or a freak gust of wind but he cleared Manor’s line, the ball went deep into Chelmsford half and bounced a foot inside the touch line. This set up Manor for George’s second try of the day. Manor 37 – 17 Chelmsford.

Last try of the day saw Manor run it the full length of the pitch from a Chelmsford penalty kick. Adam pick up the ball, and started the run, an off load to Jack who continued to the half way line, a final pass to Jake and Manor were unstoppable. Jake scored his second try of the day. Final score Manor 42 – 17 Chelmsford.

Credit to Chelmsford they are a good team, they were also missing several players, but on this day they couldn’t live with Manor’s fast pace running rugby.

Once again man of the match could have gone to so many players; Adam for his fullback defensive work, Edvardis was everywhere, so strong in the tackles and scrum, Jake for his tries and tackles but eventually Mick awarded it to our very own Tiernan (George North) McMahon who showed so much pace and strength on the wing.

'Get to know your squad'
This week are from two of our backs:

Name: Harry Wagstaff
Position: Wing
How long have you been playing rugby: 5 seasons
Favorite rugby player (past or present): My Dad
Favorite Premiership Team: Saracens
Favorite 6 Nations team: England
Favorite food: Lasagne
Why do you like rugby: So I can smash people
Why do you like your position: So I can run and try and score
Describe yourself in three words: funny, intelligent and dench
What law of rugby would you change: That people are not allowed to tackle me they should only tackle everyone else

Name: Adam Mountford
Position: Fullback
How long have you been playing rugby: Since U6's, this is my 9th season
Favorite rugby player (past or present): Isreal Dagg
Favorite Premiership Team: London Wasps
Favorite 6 Nations team: England
Favorite food: My Mum's chicken curry, rice and dahl
Why do you like rugby: Because it's a fast, exciting and phyiscal game
Why do you like your position: Because it gives me loads of space to run with the ball
Describe yourself in three words: exciting, fast and hairy
What law of rugby would you change: NO SCRUMS