Eton Manor boosted their London League One North promotion hopes with a 32-24 home win over Letchworth Garden City on Saturday.

The hosts, who have an 18-month unbeaten home record, knew it would be a difficult challenge facing the only side to beat them earlier this season.

Letchworth made a fast start and Manor were camped in their own half during the opening ten minutes.

But the home side opened the scoring with the first try against the run of play.

Manor stole their visitors’ lineout and after a series of powerful drives from both forwards and backs, Tryson Goodchild thundered his way over the line. The conversion was missed but Manor led 5-0 midway through the half.

The visitors responded and Letchworth intercepted the ball, allowing their winger to race the length of the field to score. The conversion handed them the lead for the first time after 30 minutes.

It wasn’t long though before Manor regained the lead from a Letchworth lineout. Ian Edwards stole the throw in and Manor set up a series of drives into Letchworth’s 22 where the visitors were penalised, giving Callum McKie a simple chance to put Manor back in front.

Letchworth reacted quickest to this as their outside centre raced over the line to claim a 14-8 lead at the break.

The hosts narrowed the deficit at the start of the second half when Letchworth were penalised and McKie fired over the penalty.

Eton Manor kept the pressure on and were rewarded when the visitors infringed and McKie added another three points to level the contest.

The visitors suffered a setback when one of their forwards received a yellow card for persistent infringements at the ruck.

Eton Manor piled the pressure on the away defence and after stopping a series of scrums the penalty try was awarded, which was converted.

The hosts were caught offside and Letchworth kicked the three points to stay in touch.

But Eton Manor stretched their lead when Nick Horton released Garth Tucker, who set up Jack Tovey for the try.

Letchworth set up a tense finish by making it 27-24 with just five minutes remaining after their number eight crossed the line.

But Eton Manor clinched the bonus point when David Hanna raced over for a converted try.

The victory leaves the side still second in the table but just two points behind Colchester.

After a break over the Easter weekend, Eton Manor face a difficult trip to North Walsham.

Chingford remain third in the table after a 47-25 home win over North Walsham.

Meanwhile, Chingford Seconds reached the final of the League Cup after a 12-5 victory over Eton Manor Seconds on Saturday.

Tries from Max and John Smith were enough to send them through to the finals day at Westcliff for the first time in two years.

It was a reward for the team after finishing second in the league following their first season back in the top division.

Chingford will take on hosts Westcliff on April 11 in the final.

Wanstead thrashed bottom side Billericay 63-5 in their London Three North East match on Saturday.

The final game of Wanstead’s league campaign is at home to Beccles on April 11.

Epping Upper Clapton romped to a 70-14 home win over Ilford Wanderers in Essex (Canterbury Jack) League One on Saturday.

Their final league game is also on April 11 at Pegasus Palmerians.