Sat 4 Nov 2023
The Saxons made the eagerly anticipated trip to Nutter Lane, as second hosted first in Regional Anglia 2.
Both teams came into this one having strung together a number of wins, most recently for Manor was a bonus point win away at Thurrock, whilst the Saxons secured their bonus point against Chelmsford two weeks ago. The Saxons welcomed back Callum Smith after a lengthy lay off in the midfield whilst Tom Reeman returned to loose head after missing the last outing.
The game got underway with the Saxons defending the club house end. It was a franetic start, as expected, as the Saxons enjoyed early territory, both teams demonstrating immense physicality with and without the ball, but the visitors were first to secure a penalty which Tom Ramsey kicked well into the hosts 22. The lineout started well and after multiple heavy carries, the backs spread the pitch and it was full back, Tom Sly, who stepped in off his left foot to cross the whitewash and secure the Saxons first points of the afternoon. The Saxons continued to dominate the opening quarter, some excellent attacking rugby was on show for the crowd, as well as solid defensive displays from both sides.
The Saxons defence was beginning to be tested by Manor, some hefty blows up the middle were exchanged and after a high tackle was penalised, the hosts registered their first points of the afternoon from the tee, 3-5. The visitors were then forced into a change as Kalani Parkinson was forced to leave the field with a nasty knee injury and things got tougher as Tate Holliday was yellow carded for hands in the ruck. The story of the first half was a real game of chess, both teams attacking and defending with intent with most of the play taking place in the middle third. The hosts made use of more Saxons ill-discipline registering two more penalites whilst Ben Lloyd added three to the visitors total. Half time, 9-8.
The second half saw the Saxons accompanied by the strong breeze at their backs, it was no surprise that the majority of play took place in Manors half. The Saxons started the half well, attacking dangerously and were rewarded with a penalty early on. Surprisingly, they opted for the corner instead of taking the three, confidence was evident. Despite being camped in the hosts 22, Manor defended well and managed to get the turnover and make headway into the visitors half. Yet more ill-discipline ended up costly as the Manor fly half registered another three to the hosts tally. The scrum had been working incredibly well for the Saxons, go forward on both teams ball, which remarkably wasn't rewarded once! Reset after reset, frustration began to grow. Never the less back into the Manor half they went, the rain began to pour and this top of the table tustle began to ignite further. The Saxons saw an opportunity out wide, a two vs one was on before the last defender one handedly knocked on the attacking teams ball to kill the move dead. A penalty was awarded and nothing more. The Saxons continued to knock at the door, phase after phase, both teams performing resiliently until an opportunity was identified down the blindside by Nick Horton, the last defender once again knocking on one handed, killing the attack two metres from the line. A penalty was awarded and nothing more!
The Saxons had three minutes left on the clock when they found themselves on the half way line, 12-8 down. A difficult reflection on the previous 77 minutes at the time, but the visitors pressed on, with carries from forwards and backs alike and then....
The ball came out to Lloyd who moved it onto Vaughan carrying with purpose, commiting the defender before releasing Smith and Ramsey. A two vs one was on and this time Smith expertly set Ramsey free to race in unopposed from thirty metres! The Saxons had done it and deservedly so many would say after their display. After the missed conversion, thirty seconds remained at the kick off. The ball was secured and at that breakdown Lloyd kicked it off to conclude proceedings. 12-13. Two team performances that both teams should be proud of.
A win for the Saxons at arguably one of the toughest places they will visit in the league. There was a time in the game with ten minutes to go where things were going against the Saxons in every sense, but Josh Ward and his staff should be immensely proud of the players resolve and resilience to find a way to win.
Next week the Saxons host third place Harlow. An important game to hopefully back up todays excellent win.
