Second Team skipper Chris Bearman had an abundance of riches at his disposal and used the fixture to give runouts to some new players that the Warwick side have picked up in the close-season. He was able to report back positively to first team coach Nick Cameron with debutants Will Godwin, Luke Jones and Steve Thomas all playing key roles in this thrilling encounter that saw Manor Park draw level only in the closing minutes.



Godwin, who played out of position at fly-half, was instrumental throughout and his first match-changing impact came in the thirteenth minute with a brave charge-down. With pace as one of his many qualities, Godwin was first to react to the loose ball and having collected, crossed the ball for a superb solo try.



First teamer Dan Biss made an appearance and looked imposing at inside centre with some decisive running lines; he made the most yards and seemed to excel with the ball in hand much more often than he usually sees on the wing.



Leading 7-0 at half time Manor Park were in no mood for a home defeat and they quickly drew level. A back-row partnership of Warwickian veteran Mike Collins and new recruit Sm Quinlan ensured that Warwickians soon pulled ahead again. The two huntsmen a menacing threat to Manor Park both in the offence and defence; their foraging eventually prviding good ball for fly-half Godwin to cross the line again.



At scrum-half Luke Jones showed promise and was able to cross the gain line on several occasions with darting sniper runs. Steve Thomas at hooker looked the real deal, there was a robustness and mobility to his game that will surely see him knocking on the first team door sooner rather than later. At 12-7 up, Warwickians looked like they had done enough to secure victory but a clever Manor Park missed-man manoevere with ten minutes to go put their winger clear through. Warwickian winger Matt Morris who was solid defensively all afternoon made an heroic try-saving tackle, somehow managing to trap his arm under the ball and preventing its grounding even though momentum had taken his opposite number across the line. Minutes later however Manor park finally found a way through but at 12 all, it as a fair result to end a great afternoon of rugby.