CHINGFORD ensured they stayed top of the local mini-league in London Two North, while they also guaranteed their passage into the quarter-finals of the Essex Cup with a ruthless display against a battling Eton Manor side last week.

With the two sides scheduled to meet in cup competition in several weeks time, both teams agreed to make the game a unique double-header, with the result standing for both league and cup.

And it was Chingford who emerged with the points, the qualification into the last eight and the local bragging rights as they capitalised on some profligate Manor forward play.

After a tight opening period the Waltham Wayers found the breakthrough as Dave Knight went under the posts, while Forward slotted the conversion.

The fly-half then added a penalty before turning on the afterburners to streak away for Chingford’s second try, while he made no mistake with the extras.

Manor started to find their feet as the half drew to a close, however, as they put Chingford’s backline under severe pressure.

Their hard work eventually paid off as Mark Cuschieri collected a high ball in the corner, before finding the onrushing Jeremy Goode, and he did the rest.

The home side were back on song and they added to their lead with a Forward penalty.

After the match Chingford coach Phil Howell said: “It’s always good to win the local derbies, whether it be in the league or the cup, and today we did it in both! We played a strong game, we kept our cool, and it was an important win.”

Eton Manor coach Ian Edwards conceded his side were second best on the day.

“You have to take your chances at this level and we didn’t do that,” he said. “It’s frustrating but we know we can put on a good show against Staines on Saturday.”

Next up for Chingford is a trip to second-placed Diss on Saturday. Meanwhile, in the same division Woodford travel to Civil Service this week and London Three North East side Harlow will face high-flying Sudbury after going down 18-16 at home to Romford & Gidea Park at the weekend.