Manor U14's v Westcliff U14's league match

Thankfully the rain of Saturday had disappeared and the club was bathed in sunshine for Manor’s U14’s second league match.

The club was busy with the usual Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Although it’s 95 years since armistice day it was good to see the youth of the club , the minis, the U13’s and U14’s, and the two visiting teams of Chelmsford’s U13’s and Westcliff’s U14’s all linking arms and observing the two minutes silence.

Although sunny, Autumn must be here as Johnny Two Coats was back to two coats and his fashionable green wellies.

First Half
Westcliff came second in the league last year and with both teams each winning one of the two matches last season everyone knew this match was going to be tough and could go either way. Both teams also seemed to sense this as both started very nervously with early errors from both sides. A quick pass from the base of the scrum and to the echo of ‘go on the winger’, Waggers the winger sped down the touchline and over for Manor’s first try. Manor 5 – 0 Westcliff.

As if to prove a point Westcliff quickly leveled the score line. Manor 5 – 5 Westcliff.

Manor were awarded a scrum in Westcliff’s 22m line. Jack broke from the back of the scrum and charged forward sucking in several Westcliff players. A sublime off load to Adam saw Manor score another try. Jack duly added the extra 2 points with the conversion. Manor 12 – 5 Westcliff.

Another scrum and strong run from Jack saw the ball out to the backs, Sonny passed straight out to an un-marked Jermaine, who was tackled on the try line but Jermaine used his strength and height to stretch and touch the ball down for Manor’s third try. Jack added the difficult conversion. Manor 19 – 5 Westcliff.

Second Half
With the game far from won Manor’s coaches were cautious in their substitutions with Vinai and Red coming off and Tiernan and Ant coming on.

Manor attacked the second half with as much tenaciousness as they had in the first, even a Westcliff line out (from a penalty kick) ended up in Wills hands. Edvardis and Gabe were now attacking everything that moved. Manor attacked a Westcliff scrum 5m out from their try line. The attacking scrum forced a panicked kick into touch by Westcliff for a Manor 5m line out. Westcliff defended well but a fumble saw Sonny dive onto the loose ball and score a great opportunistic try. Manor 24 – 5 Westcliff.

Manor’s grip on the match seemed to be strengthening and a great run from Ant and the finishing try from Adam, and Jack’s conversion, added to this. Manor 31 – 5 Westcliff.

Manor’s forwards and backs were now running freely, passing the ball between each other and backing each other up. Yet another run from Jack off the base of the scrum released Adam to score his third of the day. Manor 36 – 5 Westcliff.

The scrum throughout the day was fiercely competed and after a collapsed scrum Darragh came off injured, Billy now stepped up to take over the hooking.

The match finished with probably one of the highlights of the second half; Manor were attacking Westcliffs try line. Suddenly the ball popped out from a beautifully weighted fly hack kick from Adam. Chased by two Westcliff players Adam gently kicked the ball over the try line and touched it down. The final whistle was blown straight after jack’s conversion.
Final score Manor 43 – 5 Westcliff.

Man of the match was once again a close call, but this week the coaches gave it to Edvardis for his immense tackling and domination of the opposition.

Linesman of the match has to go to our very own Dave ‘the people’s pen Regan

'Get to know your squad'
This week, by coincidence, it is from our very own MOTM and one of his fellow second row players who also had a superb game:

Name: Edvardis Satinskis
Position: Second Row
How long have you been playing rugby: 1 year
Favorite rugby player (past or present): Jonah Lomu
Favorite Premiership Team: Wasps
Favorite 6 Nations team: England
Favorite food: Chicken and chips
Why do you like rugby: because it’s a physical sport
Why do you like your position: It’s built for me, it’s fun to tackle
Describe yourself in three words: funny, handsome and cool…………..
What law of rugby would you change: none

Name: Gabe Bute
Position: Second Row / flanker
How long have you been playing rugby: 2years
Favorite rugby player (past or present): Leigh Halfpenny
Favorite Premiership Team: Northampton Saints
Favorite 6 Nations team: England
Favorite food: Savaloy and Chips
Why do you like rugby: Physical/ contact/ tackling
Why do you like your position: because I get to tackle a lot
Describe yourself in three words: fast, strong, team player
What law of rugby would you change: you shouldn't have to help people down when you dump tackle them