Eton Manor made sure their season got back on track as they recorded a bonus-point 33-10 victory over Rochford Hundred at the New Wilderness.
After a slow start Manor began to dictate proceedings and they opened the scoring through Chris Jones.
Good work from scrum half Garth Tucker saw the ball recycled through the backs and Blane McKie fed Jones to go over the line and put Manor 5-0 in front.
Before the quarter hour mark Rochford were level after a well-worked overlap saw the ball touched down out wide before a successful penalty from Max Murray re-established Manor’s lead.
Manor were now in the ascendency winning the forward battle with a level of aggression not match by their opponents and starving the Rochford backline of any quality ball.
Another converted penalty from Murray took the lead to 11-5 after Dan Johnson had been brought down illegally before Murray was again on the score sheet, this time with a try, as he powered over the line for Manor’s second score of the match.
McKie twice came close for Manor before half time but was prevented from scoring on both occasions by some determined Rochford defending.
Soon into the second half Manor scored their third try of the game. After some neat passing between Jones and Michael Eghan the ball found its way to Ben Thomas who darted into Rochford’s 22 before passing the ball out of the back of his hand for Tucker to go over.
With the score at 23-5, Rochford kept fighting and reduced the deficit when the visitors’ scrum half darted through a gap and over the line. With the conversion added, Rochford closed the gap to 23-12.
Murray extended Manor’s advantage once again with a penalty and as Rochford struggled from the set piece Manor looked to capitalise.
With six minutes left to play Alfie Hutcherson sealed a bonus point victory for Manor as he took a pass from John Robinson to crash over and take home the points.
Manor now face a series of tough tests against teams towards the top of the league starting with an away trip to Diss next week.
Eton Manor Under-14s' first league game of the season ended with a comprehensive 49-0 defeat at the hands of near neighbours Dagenham.
Dagenham took control of the game right from the off and Manor could offer no resistance to the power Dagenham had to offer with their fly half dictating all the play.
One stand out for Manor was Michael Jordan who tried valiantly to halt the flow of Dagenhams try scoring from his position on the wing.
Manor look to halt their poor start to the season with a visit to Saffron Waldon in the league next Sunday.
The Under-14s are always looking for new players. Anyone interested should call coach Barry Poulter on 07428677550.
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