1st XV
Matches
Sat 23 Nov 2013  ·  Midlands 3 West (South)
Ledbury
7
8
Manor Park RFC
1st XV
Tries: S HaslamPenalties: L Brightmore
Incredible away success for Maddison's men

Incredible away success for Maddison's men

Bobby Bridge24 Nov 2013 - 21:31
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A FAMOUS day in Manor Park's recent history was achieved with a tremendous success in Herefordshire.

Fly-half Lewis Brightmore's early second half penalty was enough to separate the sides after both teams registered tries before the interval.
It was a wholly deserved victory born out of sheer dogged determination, ferocious defence and rampaging work at the breakdown.
The performance was a long way from the last time Manor made the 150-mile round trip east, when the hosts huddled around the scoreboard which sported a demoralising score pumping fists into the air.
But this time around the numbers were whipped down faster than the beer swigged in the post match celebrations in Ledbury's fantastic clubhouse.
The hosts entered the game top of Midlands 3 West South boasting a perfect four-from-four home record.
Head coach Lee Maddison was handed a blow on the morning of the game due to Cameron Forryan's withdrawal, forcing number eight Aaron Willis out onto the wing.
Park's early play placed pressure on Ledbury with Brightmore producing raking kicks into enemy territory.
It was from a close range line out that Manor retained possession and edged their way close to the line before Sam Haslam pounced to score.
Brightmore narrowly missed the conversion.
Ledbury rallied soon after to score in rare first half venture into Park's 22.
Back-to-back penalties earned them field position and a missed tackle was ruthlessly punished.
But the procession of scoring which occurred the last time the side's met failed to materialise - it was to be Ledbury's final points of the game.
Only the host's successful conversion separated the sides at half-time.
Before the interval, captain Charlie Wilson entered the fray and injected more ferocity at the breakdown.
But he was by no means alone, as all of the pack weighed in with notable contributions.
Early into the second-half Brightmore stroked over a penalty from a central position from distance.
It was the rearguard action which will be long remembered by the few who made the long journey east.
Ledbury had ten minutes of pressure plundering forward but couldn't work their way over the line.
Each time they threatened to score a penalty was earned or an error forced as Ledbury struggled to trigger their back line which was so devastating in the two side's previous encounter.
But the pressure relented in the final quarter of the game, and it was Park who should have improved upon their narrowest of leads.
Time and again Manor went within sniffing distance of the line but were repelled by tremendous defence.
Crucially, when the ball was turned over, it only temporarily halted the pressure.
Although the score didn't come, precious minutes were gobbled up in a half which lasted more than 50 minutes.
Matt Green earned his side precious territory with a grubber ahead which he also retained after the ball was knocked on.
And Gaz Hammond went close when he pounced on a ball hacked out of a scrum by substitute prop Chris Cook.
Another arrival from the bench Antony Airey slotted into the pack which all deserved acclaim for their heroic performances.
The backs were equally committed when called upon placing intense pressure with rampant defensive work forcing Ledbury behind the gain line.
Ledbury attempted to spring attacks from scrums under their own sticks but were met with committed resistance.
A never-ending half finally came to its conclusion when the ball was booted to touch prompting joyous scenes of celebration.
In the true spirit of rugby union, both sides united in the bar with drinking games and songs before Park boarded the bus in buoyant mood.
The victory saw Manor reduce the gap on Ledbury to four points, who dropped from first to fifth place.

Match details

Match date

Sat 23 Nov 2013

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

10:45

Instructions

Meet 10.45am, bus leaving at 11am. £10 SUBS (inclusive of bus and usual subs).
Number 1s for afterwards.

Competition

Midlands 3 West (South)
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Player, Board and Sleeve - Sophia - Pregnancy Loss Support
Shirt, Match Ball, Pitch side board and Player - CJG Carpentry and Joinery
Player - The Rose Inn
Player - Weddington Allotments Association
Main and Player - Magna Signs
Post Protectors and Sponsor Board - MAN Commercial Protection
Sponsor Board - Creative Carpentry Services
2nd Team Shirt and Player - Laws Designs
Player Sponsor - Allure Hair and Beauty
Player, Shirt and Board - Midlands Horse Arenas
Player - Graphic Press
Player - M2 Square Print and Retail Solutions
Player - Seven Care Services
Player - Directors Cut Photo Booth
Player - Bridgehouse Hairdressing
Physio - Match Fit Kit Schoolwear LTD
Main Shirt and Player sponsor - Countrywide Tax and Trust Corporation LTD
Player - CA Belcher LTD
Player - #TeamLily Foundation
Player - The Original Alternative
Player - BSS Industrial
Player - Husky Wines
Pitch side board - Arbury Carpets
Player and Pitch side board - Cotton Commercials
Pitch side board and sleeve - Fort Facades LTD
Pitch side board and Shirt - G.Wallis Property Services LTD
Player - Dalwood Vineyards
Dug out and Player - Ivor King
Shirt and Pitch Side Board - The Crew
Player - Tom King Plant Training
Player - GDC Services LTD
Player - Simply Lovely Landscaping
Main Sponsor, Dug out Sponsor and Polo Sponsor - Bates Timber Merchants Ltd
Sponsor - County Building Supplies
Shirt, Board and Player - Strong Window Solutions
Player and Sleeve - The Horseshoes Pub
Player, Board and Sleeve - ACSAP Roofing
Player - DM Boxing
Player and Pitch side board - D C Leake Jewellers
Player - Evies Cakes
Player - Lichfield Street Motor Company
Player and Pitch side board - Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery
Player - British Forces Resettlement Services
Player - Prime Vending Solutions
Player - Survival Fitness
Player - Tow Trust Towbars
Player - SD Contractors
Player - The Cross Keys Burbage
Player - The Sycamores Burbage
Player - The Anchor Inn Burbage
Board - Crowhill Butchers
Board - Sam Bruton Travel
Board - Thomas Flavell and Sons