A much-changed Eton Manor team were brushed aside by Old Haberdashers as the second-placed team in London 1 North won 48-12.

Kirk Chettleburgh and Brad Burrell scored a try in each half, but Haberdashers were dominant throughout, although three late tries perhaps added more gloss to the score than they had displayed.

Haberdashers took an early lead when they charged down a Manor kick and took advantage of some uncharacteristically poor defending to score under the posts after just six minutes. With the conversion scored, the visitors led 7-0.

Despite the away side continuing to dominate, they lost their concentration momentarily and allowed Manor back into the game. Sam Jackson powered off the back of a scrum and won a penalty when he was stopped short of the line. Nick Horton took a quick tap and found Chettleburgh, and he cut back inside before driving over for a seven-point score.

Manor soon found themselves behind again, though, as Haberdashers scored a second converted try and then went further in front when they took advantage of Craig Ratford’s sin bin with the last play of the half to make it 26-7 at the break.

The away side picked up from where they left off at the start of the second half, going 33-7 in front when a series of driving runs after winning a lineout and a scrum paid off.

This time it was Manor’s turn to take advantage of an extra man as, after retaining possession well, Burrell went over in the corner after a series of driving mauls. Mike Sage’s attempted conversion hit the post, meaning the hosts pulled it back to 33-12.

Although Manor continued to be an attacking threat in the closing stages, they were picked apart by a productive forward line from Haberdashers, and the visitors scored three unconverted tries in the closing stages to wrap up the victory.

On the game, Manor’s director of rugby Mark Farrell said: “[It was] a very difficult day for us, but we are not going to win games without the ball. Certain aspects of our game were simply not good enough.

“Old Haberdashers came here in second place with a strong pack and a simple game plan which they executed very well and full credit to them.

“Losing games is never easy. Losing games in the manner in which we did, even harder. But these lads are resilient, honest and above all, dedicated. Our coaching team will identify areas we need to work together on and together we will be back on the training ground on Tuesday and Thursday night, working hard to put things right.”

Next up for Manor is a trip to Brentwood this Saturday.