After last weeks convincing win at Cheshunt the Black and Ambers were
looking forward to testing themselves against much tougher opposition
in the shape of of Division 1 side Eton Manor .
The match startred well for the home side and after five minutes of
pressure a penalty for hands on was cleanly dispatched by former Colt
and Stebbing boy Owen Thomas to put Tree 3-0 up.
Manor were stung into action and the home side were forced to use all
their defensive skills to keep them at bay.
But they went behind on 15 minutes when a slow response to a five-
metre lineout move allowed the north east London side to cross their
line for a 5-3 lead.
Shortly after another Tree attack was halted by a high tackle which
was punished by another well taken penalty from Thomas to give the
hosts a 6-5 advantage.
They nearly scored again when a loose ball was picked up by prop
Jamie Prince who went on a storming 20-metre run.
Prince fed the ball out to wing Nick Ashford who was only prevented
from scoring by an excellent tackle feet from the line.
This close call seemed to energise the visitors and after some
strong words from their coaching team the Wanstead outfit stepped up a
gear.
Manor then put Tree under increased pressure and after 25 minutes
another catch and drive move from a lineout saw them score in the right
hand corner for a 10-6 lead.
The home side were rattled and worse was to come when a flowing backs
move by Manor saw Tree’s defence heavily outnumbered.
Quick hands fed the ball to the visitors’ prop who arrived in support
to steam over the line and extend his side’s lead to 15-6.
Not about to be outgunned in their own back yard the Black and Ambers
came out cannons blazing in the second half determined to carry on
their impressive pre-season form.
The half was only a minute old when following a period of prolonged
pressure hooker Steve Sewell drove over to reduce to defecit to 15-11,
a strong wind pushing Thomas’s kick just wide of the post.
Paul Dunn’s excellent pre-season well attended fitness sessions
really started to tell in the 3rd quarter when Tree bagan to dominate
the visitors’ pack.
It was no more than they deserved when a blindside run by Eliot
Dawson led to a slick passing move which ended with centre Guthrie
scoring a try which was converted by Thomas for an 18-16 lead.
Tree were now rampant and sealed victory when Dan Young stormed over
on the hour for a fine try, allowing the lethal Thomas to kick his side
to an impressive 25-15 victory.
The Black and Ambers are in pre-season action again tonight (Thu)
when they entertain Mersea Island in a floodlit friendly, kick-off 7.30
pm.