Manor welcomed Southend RFC this week knowing that their unbeaten run was going to be put to a stern test from the visitors who’s recent form had been impressive. Before the game a minutes silence was observed for the Southend MP Sir David Amess who had been murdered the previous day.

With Southend kicking off it was they who started much the stronger of the two teams using their big forwards to good effect complimented by a good kicking game. Manor were defending well and gradually worked their way into the contest, holding their own in the scrums and starting to put pressure on Southend. After a number of good runs, a well jugged kick by Nick Horton saw play move inside Southend’s 22 where the visitors had a defending lineout. Although they won the ball it was knocked on by their scrumhalf giving Manor a set scrum. With ball secured Manor began to build the phases in attack, but were penalised for holding on in the tackle allowing Southend to kick deep into Manors half for a lineout.

From the lineout Southend patiently built up their attack which resulted in a well worked try out wide, the conversion was missed but the visitors had an early lead 0 – 5.

Things went from bad to worse for Manor when they chased the re-start but let the Southend winger collect the ball unopposed, he then run through a number of ineffectual tackles taking play into Manors half. Here the ball was set up then moved swiftly through a number of pairs of hands, outflanking Manors defence and eventually going in at the corner for their second try. This time the difficult conversion was successful and after only 12 minutes Manor found themselves 0 -12 down.

Manor were slowly getting back into the game with Horton putting in some probing kicks, one which lead to an attacking lineout. Here Manors lineout misfired and gave away a scrum to Southend where here, possibly for the first time this season Manor were under pressure and penalised giving the visitors the opportunity to clear the danger by way of a penalty.

Play now settled in the middle of the park with neither side managing to make much ground until Manor were awarded a scrum. This time it was Manors turn to drive their opposition back and win a penalty which was kicked into Southend’s 22. From the lineout Kirk Chettleburgh won the throw in allowing quick ball to be moved out to the backline where Jack Scorer drove powerfully forwards breaking a couple of tackles before being brought down close to the try line, Manor secured more quick ball as it was moved out to Cameron Dutch who went over for Manors first try, which he converted himself. 7 – 12 after 26 minutes.

Southend soon hit back and after Manor secured the re-start and kicked deep into Southend’s territory the ball was returned with an excellent kick going out of play in Manors 22 giving Southend an attacking lineout. They won the ball setting up a driving maul which Manor defended but when the drive was stopped they peeled off of the back and drove over the line for yet another try. The conversion was missed, but an underperforming Manor now found themselves 7 – 17 behind with 10 minutes of the half still to go.

Manor were not playing as a cohesive unit and were far too often being penalised by the ref for basic errors. This allowed Southend to control play and it was they who finished the half the stronger, but they couldn’t add to their tally.

At half time some harsh words were said and the team knew that they had to improve otherwise their unbeaten start to the season would be ended.

Southend started off the second half still in the ascendency and after a debateable penalty against Elliott Brown for taking a man out in the air, Southend kicked deep into Manors 22 for a lineout. With a good catch and drive they made their way over the line for their fourth, bonus point try. The conversion was good and Manor now looked out of the contest at 7 – 24.

Manor had to up their game, and they did. From the restart Manor went on the attack running the ball back at Southend, David Ogufere made great ground causing the opposition all sorts of problems before Scott Smith continued the attack making 20 meters before winning a penalty which Manor kicked into the 22 for a lineout. Giovanni Dall’Amico won the throw in and the ball was set and driven towards the line, Scorer then broke off of the back of the maul and drove forwards and despite being stopped close to the line he had the strength to reach forward and place the ball on the whitewash for Manors second try. Unfortunately, Dutch was having an off day from his usual accurate kicking and missed the conversion, Manor were getting back into the game now at 12 – 24 with 10 minutes gone.

Manor continued to have the upper hand and their next attack came after Manor turned ball over, Horton put up a good box kick which Dutch chased and despite a heavy challenge caught the ball, made off down the line and passed the ball back inside only for a knock on to give possession to Southend who themselves launched a counter attack which Manor did well to extinguish inside their own 22, they turned the ball over and Ogufere combined with Scorer and took play to the 10 meter line where Manor won a penalty which they kicked into Southend’s 22.

With the lineout won by Dall’Amico, it was Manors turn to set up a driving maul which got within 8 meters of the line before Ogufere drove through two or three tackles to go over the line for Manors third try and although unconverted Manor had reduced the deficit to one score, 17 – 24 with 15 minutes played.

Manor were in the ascendency but falling foul of the refs whistle and were penalised on their 10 meter line. Southend’s reliable kicker took full advantage and added the extra three points on offer to take their lead to 17 – 27 after 20 minutes.

Manor continued to keep up the pressure on Southend who were now finding things a lot more difficult as they struggled to contain Manor. It wasn’t long before Manor were soon back inside Southend’s 22 with an attacking lineout. Again Dall’Amico won the ball, again they set up a solid driving maul which despite the best attempts of Southend worked it’s way over the line where Brad Burrell went to ground and claimed Manors fourth try, they were now back in striking distance at 22 – 27.

Manor were having all the play with Southend desperately trying to hang on, a couple of referring decisions went against both sides which added to the tension. Manor were awarded a penalty 15 meters out which Chettleburgh took quickly, he was tackled after a few meters but managed to stagger forwards only to knock the ball on, instead of giving Manor a penalty for the defenders not being back the required ten meters he awarded Southend a scrum and called last play. The packs went down but had to reset, when the ball was eventually put in Manor got the drive on and the Southend front row went to ground resulting in a Manor penalty. Another quick tap saw the ball moved swiftly through a number of hands until it reached Jordan Sullivan-Warner, he got the better of his opposite number as he rounded him on the outside evading his clutches to dive over in the corner for Manors fifth try, bringing the scores level. On any other day Dutch would normally have been expected to have got the touchline conversion, but today it wasn’t to be and the game came to a close with a 27 all draw.

After the game Manor’s DOR Mark Farrell said
“We were slow to get into the game and gave our opposition time to settle, it wasn’t really until our bench impacted the game that we started to play some of the Rugby we know we are capable of. Some of our play was below the standards we set ourselves and I felt individual errors really cost us today. But this group of players are very honest & we will look at our mistakes and work hard on the training ground to make improvements to the areas identified.

Of course top of the league is a good place to be, but we will certainly not become complacent, this squad will continue to strive for improvement ”

Next week Manor travel to second placed Sudbury knowing that they will have to improve many aspects of this weeks performance to get a result against a team who are in excellent form.