Points for Brentwood
Tries Sam Kendall
Penalty Try
Penalties Tom Lucas Roast 1
Conversions Tom Lucas Roast 2
Man of Match Colby Dobson
Runner UP Matt Whaley

For the first time in over 500 days Brentwood Rugby Club opened its doors to supporters thirsty for some decent rugby and a beer or two – the weather was set for warm and sunny and Eton Manor and Brentwood served up a smorgasbord of hard hits, running rugby, penalty tries and yellow cards for the 400 plus supporters that came to watch.
With both sides winning on the opening day of the season Brentwood were well aware that Eton Manor would come with far more challenges than Chingford the week before so on winning the toss Captain James Vogel opted to pay uphill, soak up the pressure in the first half and then hopefully utilise the lighter Brentwood pack in the second half to run in a few tries. Almost to plan this worked and with a couple of decisions going Brentwood’s way this would have been a win, as it was Eton Manor Just manged to cling on and take their second win of the season 21-17.
The first half was all Manor, kicking to corners, quick rucks and mauling when they could they showed that when good ball was there they could definitely play some rugby – Brentwood though defended like trojans and although they didn’t really make an impact on the Manor line everything worked well with lineouts, scrums and general play all performing but it was the defence that Steve Killington and the coaching staff would have been most pleased with.
Manor had their influential No8 Sin Binned for punching after 15 minutes and missed a penalty with 25 gone but with around 10 minutes of the first half left the pressure told and the fleet footed Manor winger finished off a well-executed passage of play sneaking round the back to score in the corner – conversion slotted Manor were 7-0 up.
With 10 minutes to go Brentwood were in a pretty good place as the slope is generally worth 15-20 points and after a few forays into Manor half which all broke down with penalties or knock ons Manor again kicked to the corner and after a few plays their scrum half supplied the deftest of round the back passes to put their winger in at the angle and once he had rounded one player all it need was a quick off load and the Full Back ran in un-opposed – conversion again slotted and Manor were 14-0 up at Half Time.
It was now Brentwood’s turn to have some ball, kicking down hill they used the elements well and kept Manor on the back foot. The backs lead by Fly Half Tom Lucas Roast and Full Back Sam Kendall were enjoying a much freer time with ball in hand and after James Killington had won yet another lineout against the throw the ball found its way to Kendall who started a barnstorming run from the 22 smashing players out the way left, right and center and just when it looked like he had been held up before the line the calvary arrived and pushed him over for the first Brentwood try – Conversion kicked 14-7 to Manor.
Tom Lucas Roast missed, by his standard a pretty easy penalty but then made this up by kicking one from wide out – Manor lead 14-10.
Brentwood pressed as hard as they could with the front row of Terry, Cam and Matt all having good runs aided by the back row of Matt, James and George but a loose ball was kicked up field and after a few plays Manor found themselves with a scrum 10 meters from the line, one re-set and with the scrum moving sideways at the second the Referee declared that was enough and awarded Manor a Penalty try much to the consternation of the Brentwood team and supporters – Manor lead 21-10.
Back came Brentwood with the fresh legs of Toby Tierny hitting some decent lines and they were quickly back in the Manor 22 and after a few missed opportunities an excellent driving maul was set from a line out and even though Matt Northall had already dotted own the referee gave a penalty try – Manor lead 21-17.
One minute left and Brentwood tried everything, keeping the ball for a number of phases and just when they got behind the Manor defence an excellent tackle and an even better steal from the resulting ruck allowed Manor to kick the ball out and start their celebrations.
One that got away could be said from all at Brentwood but credit where credit is due and Manor held firm when Brentwood could have scored a few more points to take the win but they did get a losing bonus point so stay 6th in the league.
So, after over 500 days of no rugby at the club the question is, was it worth the wait? – I would say a resounding YES!
Next week the 1st XV travel to Southend – KO 3pm and all support is most welcome.