Eton Manor’s success came at a cost, though, as Michael Eghan suffered a serious injury

Ilford Recorder: Michael Eghan brushes off a defender in Eton Manor's win over Luton (pic: Martin Pearl)Michael Eghan brushes off a defender in Eton Manor's win over Luton (pic: Martin Pearl) (Image: Archant)

Michael Eghan’s broken leg overshadowed Eton Manor’s triumph at Luton last weekend, but head coach Jamie Connors was delighted with his team’s defending at Newlands Road.

Reece Reed, Tryson Goodchild, Eghan, Jack Pike and Pete Bicknell crossed over against the Bedfordshire outfit to earn a 32-0 success.

It continued Manor’s charge for glory in the London One North and Connors praised his side for preventing the hosts from troubling the scoreboard.

He said: “Luton have got a big wide pitch, but it was really good conditions and it was hard and fast rugby.

“We didn’t give them much ball and defended really well, even when we were down to 14 men at one stage after John Robinson’s yellow card.

“Our defence was certainly key to keeping them down to 0 points.”

Although Manor were leading 22-0 at half time, Connors was slightly concerned that the wind would give Luton a big advantage after the break.

He was happy with the way they performed for the majority of the contest as well, but picked out one passage that didn’t please him.

Ilford Recorder: Callum McKie with the ball in hand for Eton Manor against Luton (pic: Martin Pearl)Callum McKie with the ball in hand for Eton Manor against Luton (pic: Martin Pearl) (Image: Archant)

“It was a really strong wind and I thought it was a 20-point wind to be fair so I was a little bit nervous at half time,” admitted Connors.

“But we really stepped it up and probably played better into the wind.

“There were some really good bits of rugby; we probably played well for 60 minutes - the first 20 and then the last 40.

“We had a bit of a bad period – the last 20 minutes of the first half because we got a yellow card and weren’t that disciplined. We gave away a lot of penalties.

“That sort of, whilst it didn’t keep Luton in the game, it gave them a lot of ball.

“But we take that little bad patch out and it was a really good win and a really pleasing day.”

The only sour note was the broken leg to Eghan, but Connors confirmed he underwent surgery yesterday and is on the mend.

For more see this week’s Recorder.