Manor made the very short journey to local rivals Chingford, a side that has always raised its game when playing against Manor, so much so that they had won the last 4 encounters. Manor weren’t helped by having to make wholesale changes to the team due to unavailability’s but it did give them the opportunity to give first team debuts to Jack Scorer and Babajide Tunde.

Manor kicked off the game which gave Chingford the opportunity to run back at Manor and test their defence, which they did. After a series of drives Manor turned the ball over but when they tried to counterattack, they knocked the ball on. The first scrum of the day went to the hosts and although they won it, they were put under pressure, this resulted in poor ball going out to their backs and they knocked it on. From the subsequent scrum David Ogufere picked up from the base, but was halted early in his drive, but quick recycled ball allowed Callum McKie to kick deep into Chingford’s 22 and as Chingford tried to run the ball back they knocked on giving Manor a scrum 5 meters out. Manor won the scrum and drove towards the line but poor ball retention gave Chingford the opportunity to clear their line for a Manor lineout, but still inside their 22.

Tom Christopher won the ball allowing Scorer to powerfully drive the ball on before setting it up for his backs, they moved the ball along the line but a wayward pass saw the ball go into touch 5 meters out. Chingford could only tap the ball back into their dead ball area where they had to dot down for an attacking scrum. The Manor front row of Brad Burrell, Damian Horton and Nikoloz Abramishvili destroyed their opposite front row winning another penalty. Taking another scrum this time Chingford held better and as Manor picked and drove for the line, they knocked the ball on allowing Chingford to kick the ball up field and relive the pressure.

Manor were in control of the game with all the pressure inside Chingford’s 22, good defence by the home side stopped Manor from crossing the try line, but after a couple of infringements by Chingford, Manor took the offer of points and Cameron Dutch slotted the penalty over for the first points of the game giving Manor a 0 – 3 lead after 15 minutes.

Chingford now came into the game and had the lions share of possession and territory and nearly scored when their centre broke through the middle and only a good tackle by Cameron Dutch and Kirk Chettleburgh stopped him from scoring but Chingford quickly recycled the ball and after another couple of drives the ball was moved out to the wing where the Chingford hooker was loitering and went over for Chingford’s first try and although unconverted they had taken the lead 5 – 3 with 18 minutes played.

Manor again were soon back inside Chingford’s 22, but again were met by stern defence causing them to knock on. At the scrum, although it was Chingford’s put in, Manor again destroyed Chingford’s scrum winning a penalty which they decided to take another scrum. Again Chingford’s front row disintegrated and with the ref playing another advantage Manors scrum half Fred Hatton went blind, drawing the defence before putting Dutch through a gap in the Chingford’s defensive line and he dived over for Manors first try. He was then successful with the conversion from out wide giving Manor back the lead 3 – 10 after 33 minutes. Unfortunately prop Burrell had to leave the field injured but was replaced by the returning George Cosma.

The rest of the half was played out with neither side gaining any sort of sustained possession or territorial advantage over the other and with the half over Manor held a slender lead.

Chingford kicked off the second half with Manor having to re-shuffle their backline with McKie not starting the half, Dutch moved to flyhalf with Ale Minns coming on at fullback. Manor had the better of the opening few minutes of the half and when they were awarded a penalty on the halfway line they opted to have a shot at goal. Dutch struck the ball well and the distance wasn’t a problem but his attempt went just wide.
It was now Manors turn to be under pressure and Chingford laid siege to Manors line, good aggressive defence saw Manor repel attack after attack until they managed to drive the ball carrier into touch for a defending line out 8 meters from their line. The throw in was poached by Chingford and they quickly took advantage of turnover ball eventually driving over the line for their second try of the match, with the conversion missed the scores were now tied at 10 – 10 with 12 minutes of the half played.

Manor hit straight back at Chingford, chasing and turning over the re-start, this enabled Manor to drive into Chingford’s 22 where Chettleburgh, Scorer and Giovanni Dall’amico all combined to drive the ball within a few meters of the try line before being penalised for sealing off the ball.

The game now turned into a typical local derby, no quarter asked or given and thunderous tackles being put in by both sides. Needless penalties were being given away by Manor, this gave Chingford confidence and they began to push Manor back making them defend in and around their 22. Chingford again pounded Manors line until a knock on and subsequent scrum allowed Manor to win yet another penalty at the scrum and clear their lines.

With time running out Chingford kept up the pressure and after winning a penalty they kicked for a lineout 5 meters from Manors line. The throw wasn’t the best allowing Manor to disrupt and win possession, they then set off driving the ball forwards with good breaks by Chettleburgh and Cosma before the ball was moved out to Dutch who changed the angle of attack running the ball across the park and to the edge of Chingford’s 22 where he was eventually brought to ground. Manor quickly recycled the ball and attacked along the touchline but the ball went into touch off a Chingford player. With a full lineout Christopher won the ball and played it off the top allowing the ball to be moved quickly along the line, Sam Wamala straightened up the attack before Minns neat footwork saw him beat a couple of defenders before being taken to ground. Manors forwards were there in numbers and after a couple of quick pick and goes the ball found its way to Dutch. He took the play down the blind side, ran around the first defender then outpaced the covering Chingford scrum half who despite a desperate attempt to put in a tackle, couldn’t stop Dutch crossing the line for the match winning try. Dutch converted the score himself taking Manor into a 10 – 17 lead with 2 minutes to play.

There was just time to re-start the game and try as they might, Chingford couldn’t get their hands on the ball again and when time was up, Manor kicked the ball into touch to bring a hard fought contest to the end.

Eton Manor Director of Rugby, Mark Farrell said; “We have not beaten Chingford for over four years and this was very much a typical local derby, with two sides putting everything on the line!

Our scrum yet again showed it has the power to dominate, yet we were unable to turn that impetus into points as we allowed Chingford to turn the game into an arm wrestle. But this side showed it has strong resolve and good defensive coordination.

The difference between the two sides was two pieces of sheer brilliance from fullback Cammy Dutch, who danced his way over the whitewash for two superbly taken tries and also claimed all of our 17 points scored.

Arm wrestle accepted and won. Leighton Buzzard RFC at home up next and we will be looking to push our good start to this seasons campaign onwards.”