And indeed it was with two rugby clubs up against each other who have lovely ties and crests. The sun came out and the sky was blue on ‘The Manor’s’ 4G pitch and in the first half especially the Chiltern Cherubs were running through.

A confident and impressive first half by A&C led to a 19-5 Half Time score. They looked the part. Strong in defence and attack with safe and secure kicking and sound game management in all positions - yes! Yes! Yes! It very much looked as though A&C were coming of age even with a changed pack and positions owing to unavailability and injury.

And this all after quite a traumatic build up to the game. Apart from the ground’s name and location sounding like something out of an American Horror Show Netflix series the highlight was undoubtedly Ross Bugden whilst travelling at high speed and chatting away to club captain Jack Kenyon suffering a tyre blow out on the M25. With a calmness of Clarkson, Ross safely manoeuvred to the hard shoulder whilst Jack took up comms, which included that the news his personal A&C sock collection would now also be delayed.

Of course we knew then 2 players would be late – but thank goodness they were safe and well. Coaches, Rich ‘a Roo Roo’ Hoskins and Mike Smith meanwhile calmly made the changes to ensure we were lined up and taking aim with no sense of panic.

Now interestingly Eton Manor and their home in the Wilderness alongside a lane linked with Nutters in the East End of London are in-fact historically linked to the posh boys of Eton

(Slough). Some young men repositioned themselves from Eton to East London to better support and inspire the East End poor and through business and ambition. Eton Manor was built and a community formed on the surrounding land.

It really wasn’t long (7 mins) until EM found themselves in a ‘Jam’ - with a row going on (not in Slough, but in Wanstead). There was a few instances of ‘argy bargy’ which resulted in our own Callum Newton being punched and in fact Callum and the punchy EM player were sent off. The fuse was lit and the battle under-way 14 a –side.

Step forward winger Peter Hughes. Just when Callum had made them angry Peter really annoyed them by surging through and finishing a slick backs move to score the opening converted try (Ollie Choules) (0 – 7) . The A&C energy levels were maintained and with a cheeky smile and wink it was Dan Kinsgley swaggering through the defence for a further unconverted try on 20mins (0 – 12). EM were concerned as their electronic scoreboard broadcast the score far and wide (more of this later) and to limit the damage rallied on 36 mins to score an unconverted try after some forward pressure. ( 5 – 12). Then as one Hughes boy bursts through along comes another. This time it was a brooding and sultry Robert Hughes from centre destroying what had been a resilient defence with a pulsating and aggressive run for a converted try just before H/T - (5 – 19)

EM had clearly not ‘taken a peep in our artillery room’. They were lucky we had only the two(2) Hughes boys as on occasion we can have 3 attacking defences from all angles. Watch out for the return match

Ominously EM opened the scoring (2 mins) in the 2nd half with a converted try (12 – 19). They did seem to have an energy brewing. However student and big unit Charlie Bourne was having nothing of it and picked up on the 22 prior to lifting his knees high and running unopposed over the try line. Ollie duly converted. (12- 26). EM though would not let it lie and again responded with good pressure and A&C’s game management began to creak. Only 9mins into the second half it was already (19 – 26). A&C just could not pull away. It was also the case that the once working score board somehow got switched off. I thought it was down to Halloween whilst others said it was an attempt to confuse our boys. We will never know. 15 mins into the 2nd half Ollie then took the opportunity to pop over a penalty ( (19-29). Then came the storm with EM converting a further try on 58 mins (26 – 29). On 64 mins it was another EM try although unconverted (31 – 29) on 76 mins the screw was well and truly turned with another converted try (38 -29) followed by a wee missed penalty from Ollie ( could have been 3 pts more and 1 losing point more and you did use your favourite kicking tee)

Highlights

· A replacement pack holding their own and competing well with a club renowned for their scrummaging.

· Stu Rogers making his return to our front line and throwing that ball like a dart into Chiltern Hands – my goodness we needed that

· Kieran Booth returning after his quite bad shoulder dislocation making notable contributions from the bench

· Me remembering to pay my £12.50 ULEZ fee today

· Ross and Jack actually making it to the ground by UBER (Jack) and in his repaired car (Ross) – truly exceptional effort

· And finally our wonderful Club Captain Jack Kenyon for returning countless pairs of 1st team socks that have been left by past players following his very generous board and lodgings. – thank you!

Next Week - Home Match V Southend Saxons. 9th versus 7th – both on 24 points with only 3 points between 4th and 9th. This is a game to come and see. See you there.