Manor U14's v Rochford Hundred

Manor’s quarter final of their Essex Cup defense was against Rochford Hundred RFC, a team we hadn’t played since the mini rugby era. Post code typed into the sat nav and we were off. An easy run to Southend, then a familiar turn down Aviation Way towards Westcliff RFC and the writer’s favorite bacon roll, if only I had remembered before turning left and away from that cholesterol filled torpedo. The driver confidently said to the boys in the back ‘nearly there’. Sat nav got us to Magnolia Road with 100% success and announced we had now arrived at our destination, but without a single rugby post in sight we obviously hadn’t. A short visit to Magnolia park, and I know a few others also witnessed the delights of Magnolia Park, we ventured further down Magnolia Road, and then a little further, and then a little further and then much further. The driver now worried asked the boys in the back if they could now see any rugby post, no came the answer. The driver was now flagged down by parents from Chipstead RFC asking where the Rochford ground was. A convoy of cars and vans pushed even further into deepest darkest Magnolia Road, the blind leading the blind springs to mind. As doubts were setting in suddenly out of the mists rugby posts appeared, to the cheers of hundreds of parents, well three actually, we had found the long lost ancient and mystical rugby ground of Rochford Hundred RFC. Mentioning no names but some other parents type Magnolia WAY into the sat nav and were wondering why there were no rugby posts in the middle of an industrial estate.

Bit by bit the Manor squad found their way to this mythical place, even via the industrial estate. Those who braved this dangerous quest were rewarded by a very lovely club house. Being a new and unvisited rugby club their bacon roll had to be vetted, purely for the readers education of course. All I can say is the bacon roll was mini, not like the ‘WESTCLIFF TORPEDO’, but the price was equally as mini, therefore well done Rochford for a good bacon roll (a word from another manor parent rated the sausage roll, writer takes note for the next visit).

The squad were now finally fully assembled, Team Admin was sporting a brand new and very posh A4 black leather organiser. The organiser was very impressive and Team Admin proudly showed off how many pockets it had. There was nothing in the pockets of course, but early days for the Manor U14’s black leather organizer.

Enough of Sat Nav, Industrial Estate, Black Leather Organisers and Bacon Rolls and down to the business of the Essex Cup quarter finals.

Rochford U14’s have enjoyed an unbeaten league run in division two, and have several Essex players in their squad, and therefore no one under estimated that they would be a strong team and would test Manor.

First Half.
Manor kicked off the first half and immediately pressured Rochford, a ruck was formed, Rochford penalized for being offside 10m out from their try line. Quick ball from Jack, to Ant and finally to Adam and Manor scored their first try. Rochford 0 – 5 Manor.

Again from the restart the ball was caught by Jake who ran it straight back, out to Ant, to Adam and Jermaine was in for Manor’s second try within 5 minutes. Jack added the conversion. Rochford 0 – 12 Manor.

Rochford looked rattled from the quick scores. This was compounded by Jake once again catching the restart ball and breaking free, a pass to Ant who then made a miss pass straight out to Adam who once again put the ball under the posts easing the conversion for Jack. Rochford 0 – 19 Manor.

Rochford rallied and mounted an attack down the wing which ended in a maul. The attack snubbed out by Manor’s clearance kick. Rochford seemed to be panicking under Manor’s attacking defense resulting in them trying to kick over the top, unfortunately every kick was caught and ran straight back at them.

Manor were awarded a scrum 5m from the Rochford’s try line. From the base jack passed it out to Jake, from the maul Jack got the ball and score his first of the day and added the extra two points for the conversion. Rochford 0 – 26 Manor.

From the restart Gabe caught the and somehow broke through Rochford’s attackers and found himself in open space. Gabe opened up, from the sideline a faint sound of ‘Go Gabriel’ was heard as is dad desperately tried to keep up with is son’s pace. Gabe ran the full length of the pitch just to be unfortunately tackled just a few meters from the try line. A knock on from Manor gave Rochford the scrum. Manor took the scrum against the head and Jack rolled over for his second try of the day. Rochford 0 – 31 Manor.

Rochford once again mounted an attack and the game was grid locked for a while. A cross field kick from Ant opened the game up, Jermaine passed to Adam who with no space left to run kicked ahead and chased. The result Jack scoring his third try of the day and the extra conversion points. Rochford 0 – 38 Manor.

Second Half.
The second half started with the Manor coaches making 6 substitutions and moving players into different positions, Rochford also substituted players. Manor’s form from the first half wasn’t there. The game was now much more even, in fact Rochford were now more dominant. Manor conceded two early tries. Rochford 10 – 38 Manor.

Rochford heads were now up and a pride arising.

Evenly matched the teams tried to gain dominance but a final try from Adam and conversion from Jack probably secured the match. Rochford 10 – 45 Manor, if only someone had told Rochford that. For the last ten minutes Rochford threw everything at Manor. Manor were constantly defending their 5m line. A Manor clearance saw the ball come straight back at them. Wave after wave of a sustained Rochford attack was with held. Rochford finally crossed the try line for it to be unfortunately not given by the referee as he didn’t see the grounding, even though the Manor linesman confirmed it was grounded.

Manor held their defense for the remaining minutes of the half.

Final score Rochford 10 – 45 Manor.

Man of the match again could go to so many, Harry was so strong in his tackling and running but Ant edge him for his distribution, unselfishness and overall team play. Well done Ant.

Special mention has to go to our hosts, well done Rochford for a great performance, once the initial shock had subsided you rallied and played well. Good luck with the rest of your season and hopefully see you in division one next season.

Get to know your squad
This week, it is from our regular inside centre and one of our utility backs:

Name: Santino 'Sonny' Leo
Position: Inside Centre / Fly Half
How long have you been playing rugby: 6 years
Favorite rugby player (past or present): Fofana (Clermont Auv)
Favorite Premiership Team: London Wasps
Favorite 6 Nations team: Italy
Favorite food: Pizza
Why do you like rugby: The physicality
Why do you like your position: The combination of attack and defense
Describe yourself in three words: content, sociable, witty
What law of rugby would you change: sin bin should be reduced to 5 minutes

Name: Red Walker
Position: Fly half / utility back
How long have you been playing rugby: 3 years
Favorite rugby player (past or present): Lawrence Dallagio
Favorite Premiership Team: Harlequins
Favorite 6 Nations team: England
Favorite food: Indian
Why do you like rugby: I like to tackle players bigger than me…just about everyone then!!!!
Why do you like your position: It’s the play maker’s position, with the scrum half you can control the game
Describe yourself in three words: Don’t like losing
What law of rugby would you change: you nothing

As son number two is away on England duties next week’s report will be from our very own roaming celebrity reporter Dave ‘the peoples pen’ Regan. Good luck to the boys.