Many moons ago before everyone had overindulged on too many mince pies, Brentwood made the trip to Nutter Lane on a freezing but sunny winter’s day to take on table toppers Eton Manor for a game that would make or break both Brentwood’s chances of finishing first and also the Match Reporter’s festive cheer…

The game kicked off and as expected, was brutal from the outset; big collisions aplenty as both teams battled hard to gain the ascendency. In a scoreless opening 20 minutes there was plenty of endeavour from Brentwood who had gained the upper hand in terms of possession and territory but could not breach Manor’s solid defensive line, stopped just short at close quarters on a couple of occasions.

Finally, though, the perseverance paid off when a big carry off the back of a lineout from George Bassenger gave Brentwood quick go forward on the left flank. The ball was worked rapidly through several phases, out to the right-hand side before a neat passing combo from Tom Walker and Henry Bird found Niall Clifford hitting a late, hard line to squeeze straight through two defenders and past a third, drawing the last man before popping the ball back to Henry Bird to go under the sticks. With Henry’s conversion to his own try, 0-7.

Brentwood continued to have opportunity, both Isaac Kibirige and Eamon Tiernan getting agonisingly close on separate occasions and whilst Manor’s last ditch scramble was excellent, from a Brentwood perspective it was starting to feel like one of these chances really needed to come off…Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and more frustration was to come, Manor earning a penalty on what was a rare foray into Brentwood’s 22 which they put in the corner. Brentwood knew what was coming but it doesn’t make it any easier to stop it, Manor’s well organised maul bundling over in the corner to pull the game back to 5-7.

With just under ten minutes of the half still to play, Manor started to claw back the impetus a bit, Brentwood’s play getting a bit scrappy and sending a few too many loose kicks downfield which Manor were gleefully running back. Another penalty saw another Manor maul opportunity, this time though Brentwood did defend it successfully, a Tom Walker rip in the tackle when the ball was then sent out into the backline seeing Brentwood take the slender two-point lead into the half time break.

At half time, I will admit to being relatively optimistic with Brentwood’s first half showing pretty good if a little lacking in points, it’s back to cynicism for 2026 though…

The second half got off to the sort of start that Brentwood absolutely did not need, a lineout penalty straight after the restart allowing Manor to kick for the corner. Again, you might know what’s coming, again it doesn’t make it any easier to stop…and although Brentwood did make it significantly more difficult this time round, another maul, another try and 12-7.

Only three minutes later, it went from bad to worse when Manor pounced on a Brentwood spill on the Manor ten metre line, getting it wide quickly where they had both numbers and pace to go down the touchline and score in the corner: 17-7.

Brentwood though hit back shortly afterwards, a high tackle giving Manor a yellow card and Brentwood a penalty which went into touch just outside the Manor 22. Brentwood’s wrap around lineout was good before the ball went wide quickly into midfield, Henry Bird wearing the Manor blitz attempt to again find his centre partner in crime Niall Clifford on another good line off the short ball, darting through a couple before being dragged to ground. The ball bobbled out of the ruck, but Eamon Tiernan was quick to react, scooping it up before showing some incredible acceleration to shoot past the side of the ruck and straight through the defensive line to go under the posts, 17-14 with Henry Bird’s conversion.

Despite pulling it back to a three-point game, Brentwood appeared a little subdued and some odd decision making put them straight back into trouble when one of Manor’s back three had an eternity to pick his spot for a 50/22. Inevitably another maul was coming, Brentwood conceding the penalty to allow another even closer to the line and then this time the penalty try, 24-14.

Unfortunately, from then on, and in spite of twenty minutes still to go, you could feel the game slipping from Brentwood’s grasp with too many naïve errors creeping in which Manor were happy to use to their advantage. A few minutes after their penalty try, a messy attempt from Brentwood at clearing their own lines gifted Manor easy possession and territory once more and into the corner they went, 29-14.

Although Manor did continue to batter Brentwood’s line for the majority of the remainder of the game, Brentwood’s defence did hold firm which at the time was of little consolation but, in hindsight, a small positive…full time and a Match Reporter who decided she’d have to park this report until January so as not to spoil Christmas…

For Brentwood, this one rounds off what was ultimately a disappointing December, Manor’s second half composure and ability to take points when they were on offer winning out.

This result sees Brentwood now drop to third in the league, 7 points off second placed HAC with Wymondham on the same points in 4th and Wanstead breathing down their necks in 5th just 4 points behind.

At the time of writing (because the weather is abysmal and I can only imagine King George’s is a swamp…), Brentwood’s first fixture of 2026 is due to be another key one against 4th placed Wymondham. Brentwood put in an impressive performance in the away fixture during the gale force winds of storm Amy to run out winners and will be hoping to start off the new year in the same manner.