A double header at home with a pre-match lunch meant the club was alive with activity and Romford faithful.

Over the past few seasons the Rams progress has been measured by performance against Eton Manor being the two ever present sides in the league. Based by this yard stick, this Rams side is doing well. A mix of older heads, enthusiastic young players coming through and hard working new arrivals to the club are mixing well and beginning to build momentum.

Romford kicked off and the their hard tackling in the first 15 minutes kept them camped in the Manor half. The forwards and midfield of Robertson, Brindle and Reaside kept the Eton Manor runners from breaking out and Park kept putting phases together with some tough carrying from Dave Mead, Toby Proctor and Jason, mixed up with some slick hands to attack wider channels through Brindle and Reaside. Despite this Park did not take advantage of this sustained period in the Manor half and the momentum swung towards the visitors. Manor had a similar purple patch where they remained camped in Park's half with a couple of knock ons on the 5 metre line allowing Joe Ganley to alleviate pressure to only for Manor to work their way back up the pitch.

Park finally forced a penalty, clearing their lines and forcing a second penalty. Another kick to touch gave park field position for the first time since the opening quarter of an hour and they managed to use this to their advantage. A well worked blindside attack by George Robertson and Af Olukoga got park into the 22. A storming carry by Mead took park within five and then a well taken pick and go by Proctor saw him crash over for 5-0 lead.

As Manor kicked off, the celebrations from the first try had caught the attention of a few more spectators who got to see Park score again before the break. Park received the kick off well and with the adrenaline of scoring had a sequence of runs that got them up the park. As they approached the 22 Robertson's footwork and Brindle's support play overloaded a defender leaving Brindle going in under the posts. Robertson added the conversion for 12-0 half time lead.

At halftime Park knew a good side like Manor would come back and the opening 10 minutes of the second half saw them dominate possession. Again the back row of Conor Sullivan, Ross and Matt Tranter along with the solid midfield had to stop the impressive Manor ball carriers in their tracks. Park managed to weather the storm and both sides looked to make changes. With 30 minutes to go Park gave adult debuts to Luke Brindley and Sam Sawyer, both impressing and making crucial contributions to the outcome of the game. Sam's came with a covering tackle as Manor broke through as Park tired preventing the score and bundling the winger into touch right in the corner allowing Park to use their reliable set piece to clear lines.

Manor were starting the make half breaks and this is where man of the match Toby McCloud came into his own. In the great tradition of Park tough tackling 9s, anyone breaking through was quickly lassoed around the legs by McCloud, preventing break throughs coming to scores. Unfortunately he found himself at the bottom of the ruck when Manor crashed over with 10 minutes to go.

Momentum felt it was with the boys in blue as Park restarted. However, with a few minutes to go there was a crucial turnover on half way, Robertson moved the ball away and Sam Brindle broke up the left closeside, keeping away from the touchline he kept the ball alive. Park flooded through with forwards carrying further before the defensive line was set. McCloud then fed Luke Brindley who had stepped in at first receiver, a quick decoy pass allowed him to straighten up, feed another forward and suck in the Manor defenders on the open. Quick ball then allowed Brindley to put it through the hands for Max Davies to walk in to the right of the posts. With the conversion that was 17-7 where the scores stayed.

A win that was hard earned but deserved after a great game, it feels like the Rams are really coming together under Joe and James' leadership.

ROMFORD & GIDEA PARK R.F.C

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