Eton Manor arrived on the back of a four game unbeaten run and eager to avenge the heavy loss to Brentwood earlier in the season. Brentwood had no injury issues and fielded a strong side looking to consolidate their position at the top of the league, they showed why they are in that position with a complete performance, bringing up 1,000 points for the season in doing so while completely dominating possession, territory and set piece.

A good opening saw Bradley Burr put Brentwood 3-0 with a straightforward penalty on 5 minutes. Eton Manor forced their own penalty attempt soon after to level the score. Good carries from forwards and backs saw them pressuring the visitors’ line, James White saw a gap and scored the first try of the game to go 10-3 up, on ten minutes a long clearance Tom Simpson kick was knocked on 10 metres out and No.8 Paul Bradley scored from the scrum for a typically powerful try. It didn’t take long for the next score when Josh Stannard finished off a phase of play that included strong forward carries from Tidje Visser and Jack Richard and lovely handling from the entire back line. Another period of Brentwood pressure was finished off by Chay Pollinger after a quality delayed pass from Paul Bradley. Eton Manor finally got some meaningful possession heading up to half time but strong, organised defence kept them out until the referee brought the first half to a close.

Brentwood led 29-3 at the break but with the visitors having the slope advantage in the second half they were aware that a similar effort was needed to secure the victory.

Manor never got the chance to use the slope as Brentwood immediately got into their rhythm, captain Ben Amato carrying deep into opposition half, Tom Simpson continued the drive before the ball was moved wide for Josh Stannard to cut inside, beat 3 defenders and dot down between the posts. An easy conversion for Brad to take the score to 36-3. Stannard brought up his hat trick 2 minutes later when he hit the line at pace and took a nice delayed pass from Burr to score from the halfway line. It was a fine finish to a free flowing move that involved virtually every Brentwood player and showed the high level of skill across the team and an example of why they sit atop the table going into last quarter of the season. Manor scored a fine try in the corner following some strong play from the forwards but it was to be only time they threatened the line in the second half. Good hands from the backs and a lovely delayed pass from Tom Simpson put Ed Hornby free down the wing but he was held up just short, Louie Payne powered over soon after for another try, Burr continued his fine kicking form with a nice conversion from out wide. Ben Amato turned creator soon after when he put Tom Simpson in for the eighth try and Stannard capped off an impressive performance with his fourth try of the game just on the final whistle.

A complete performance from Brentwood against a strong team. They showed power, organisation, skill and fitness throughout the entire match and came away with 5 well deserved points.

The Davlav Man of the Match went to Josh Stannard, untouchable at times, scored 4 tries and created the space for 2 more with his power and pace. A week off this week before Brentwood make the trip up to North Walsham on 3rd March.

Brentwood Team: Visser, Richards, Bevans-Royston, Visser, Whaley, Killington, Amato, Bassenger, Bradley, White, Burr, Wilkinson, Thomas, Stannard, Pollinger, Subs: Payne, Aldous, Hornby