Brentwood RFC
Match Report – Saturday 10 October 2009
Brentwood 13 – Eton Manor 8

Once again player injury and unavailability meant enforced changes for Brentwood. Cadby came in for Ambrose at hooker, captain King returned for Roman, Turner for Solomons and the fit again Chambers returned at fly half with Stannard moving to scrum half. The welcome mid week rain had softened the pitch a little as Eton Manor kicked off uphill into the breeze.

Brentwood were soon under pressure and were forced to concede several penalties before Manor converted one - 0-3 after 8 minutes. The home side took the game to the opposition and a scything run by Green ended as he was pole axed by a high tackle. No yellow card but a penalty chance that was missed. After 19 minutes Brentwood kicked a penalty to the corner and, from the resultant catch and drive, Killington crashed over. Chambers converted to move Brentwood into a 7-3 lead.

Manor were playing with genuine aggression, some misplaced, but the home side were playing with more confidence than in recent weeks and each attack led to a counter attack. However, with half time approaching a defensive lapse allowed the Eton Manor centre the freedom of King George’s and he scored a try which was not converted to regain the lead for the visitors – 7-8. With the last play of the half Chambers struck the post with a penalty attempt and Lloyd was close to scoring as he chased the rebound but Manor just managed to secure the loose ball.
The second half began with the same high intensity as Brentwood ran at the opposition who used the strength and organisation of their forwards to regain the ball and the boot of their fly half to regain ground. The better fitness of the home forwards was beginning to show but Brentwood were unable to break through. Roman came on to replace the injured Turner and the backs reorganised. The home defence was excellent with Metcalfe to the fore and Woodcock prominent with his surges into the opposition forwards.

After 15 minutes of the half a Brentwood jumper was taken out in the middle of a line out and Chambers converted the resultant penalty to take the lead at 10-8. The referee was struggling with a leg injury and a number of offences, by both sides, went unpunished. Brentwood continued to press but the final pass did not go to hand.

With 10 minutes to go Manor conceded a penalty for offside as their defence grew ever more desperate and Chambers converted the opportunity for a 13-8 lead. Manor through everything into attack but the home defence was sound with some great tackling, Cowen being involved in several defensive efforts. The visitors ran the ball at every opportunity and as the final whistle approached it seemed that they would break through. However Cadby had a different idea and won a turnover with a crashing tackle. The ball was cleared upfield and the Manor winger gathered the ball only to be met by the flying Lloyd who smashed man and ball into touch – the final whistle.

Brentwood should be much encouraged by this performance. The error rate was reduced and the intensity visibly increased. They now need to use this as the base from which to build for the rest of the season. Judging man of the match was a close run thing with a number of players in the frame but Woodcock was the rightful winner.

Team:
Northall, Cadby, Bevans-Royston, Killington, Woodcock, Metcalfe, Beith, King, Stannard, Chambers, Lloyd, Wyatt, Turner, Cowen, Green.

Next week sees Brentwood away at Rochford in a London Division One (North) league fixture.