Spirited Chipstead

Both Chipstead sides traveled to the South London Wetlands for a joint fixture with Barnes. A pre cursor game to our first league matches next week should have seen the opportunity to put two selected teams out. However due to last minute cry-offs the 1stxv had no subs and the 2nd xv started with 14 men. Having to walk two miles? to the pitch and dodge low flying geese was an event in itself. If we treated Goose mess like we do dog then no games would ever be played at Barnes.

Chipstead started with a back line of untested talent against a side we knew would be strong opposition.
Three players in particular Alex Jelly(9) Chris Gould(10) and Tom Hawgood(14) making real 1stxv debuts.
Within 2 minutes of kick off Chips lost Kieran D with suspected broken hand. Showing some frustration with each other Chips internal discipline stared to cause problems and Barnes ran 3 tries in. They scored in single phase play following penalties . Clearly they were a strong running side and the rush defence plan was not going to work. Coach Ed Bush identified this and the team quickly adapted into a drift defence approach. Being 19-0 down in 20 minutes with 14 men was not looking good. With the defence changes the score line was held for a brief period. Following some very strong phase play Chipstead were 10 m from the Barnes line. With a maul in front of the posts
Alex J picked up. He had options both sides that would have be a 50-50 chance of scoring. No, he took the good scrum half decision and fooled everyone and scored just wide of the post. 19-7. Barnes came back following a quick tap penalty and with speed and the extra man took the score to 26-7.
Again Chips played the phase game and took 4 phases to get back under Barnes posts. Alex J once again showing promise saw the wide pass option and with pinpoint accuracy found Tom Colyer(15) in space. Score 26-14.
2nd half after some calming words from Ed B and the sweets Chipstead started to play a much more structure game. Ever youthful Forrest just touched down on the top of a blade of grass on the line score 26-19.
Following injury to Adam Hollidge Chipstead found themselves down to 13 men. This was the point when Barnes should have run riot but Chipstead should great spirit and slowed the game down playing strong phases of play. The experience of Darren L (7) and the youth of James M 5 and Henry C (4) where now coming to the forefront.
Barnes kindly lent Chipstead a player to bolster the back row so we were back to 14 men. He did however miss a sitter of a tackle on one of his own men to take the sore to 33-19.
Chipstead had two chance of tries with Captain Ryan Dupe coming short 2 m out and Pat K being stopped by a strong Barnes defence.
Barnes were now taking advantage of an effective 2 man overlap, out side and took the score to 47-19
This is were the true spirit of Chipstead came out and youth of the side stood up as they did last week against Richmond.
Chris G made a single handed break 10 m out stood his ground and off loaded to Ryan(nil nil) D who secured Chips final score of 26.

Barnes not to be be out done ended their score line 54. All Chips conversations kicked by Pat K (13)
As last week ignore the score line and look at who Chipstead were playing. Teams who are way ahead of this village side in league positions and are able to have strong sides in their 3rd and 4th teams.
Today Barnes 2ndxv game was called off(apparently) so you know who stepped down. Chipstead gave away at least 16lbs to each player but made up for that in heart and spirit.
Chipstead Stepped up WELL DONE.