Eton Manor made the trip to Old Haberdashers on Saturday, looking to build on their positive showing against Rochford Hundred, but were soundly beaten 45-24.

Cameron Dutch scored two of Manor’s four tries, and converted others from Michael Din and Jamie Millais, but the side were unable to hold onto their lead despite being in a positive position numerous times in the game.

Manor kicked off and provided all of the early pressure, using the slope and the wind to their advantage, and good kicking from Dutch and Michael Din had Old Habs pinned back inside their own half for the opening exchanges.

This early pressure eventually paid dividends when, after 15 minutes, Dutch sidestepped the Old Habs defence and played inside to Din, who powered over the line despite an attempted double tackle for the game’s first try, which was successfully converted by Dutch.

The home edged back into the game and eventually dominated the next phase of play and the pressure told when their number eight picked up from the base of the scrum and powered over, but the missed conversion meant Manor still led.

It didn’t take long for Old Habs to take the lead though, going over in the corner to make it 10-7 after another missed conversion.

The visitors regained the advantage shortly after the break when Dutch darted over, but the game swung back in Old Habs’ direction when they took advantage of George Cosma’s yellow card and went over by the posts for a seven-point score.

Another try and successful conversion pushed the home side further in front at 24-12, but a sustained period of play resulted in Dutch side-stepping his way to the line and despite the conversion hitting the posts, Manor were back in the game.

That didn’t last long though as another free-flowing Old Habs attack resulted in a seven-point try, with Jamie Millais’ converted effort doing little to change the end result.

The hosts took advantage of that and went wild in the final few minutes, adding two well-worked tries to end the game at 45-24.

Manor’s penultimate game of the season takes place this Saturday when they host Amersham & Chiltern.