Chips take the Ring!

The first booze bus in 4 years since the all but forgotten National RFU Junior Vase Semi-Final against South Molton.

With the new cup competition being played at the end of the season and only 5 days to sort out travel arrangements due to the Monday lunchtime draws it was difficult to secure a coach for the young players of Chipstead to board. Alas a thanks must go out to those who secured us this vessel to take to the highways.

Selection withdrawals on a Thursday night, Messiahs Suhail and Dupe the youngest, Bingham on his 17th holiday of the year and the Goater’s topping up their tans on Daddy’s Money, the call came for Coach Small to not play favourites and name both his sons in the squad.

With Squad picked and meet time arranged, Social Sec Calum picked the theme of Coach Trip for his minions to obey, the late night scramble to procure his demanded treasures.

10:30 we departed upon our lovely tin with wheels to Ringwood, one problem no toilet.Surely a problem for later.
30 mins into the jolly boy day out it was reminded to me that Coach Small had forgotten the VEO camera so luckily we have such a great President Alan Webb who was driving down managed to procure it at the last second as to avoid any arguments later in the week about who did what, we would have the evidence to post in the group chat.
Stops off at lovely quaint service station 45mins outside of our destination.
Burger King was there for a reason so Myself needed refuelling so to the King I went and got myself a Chicken Royale with cheese. Scores on the doors 4/10 long wait and no cheese, it’s no McDonald’s.

Lucia the physio set up a make shift taping station at the front of the bus and boys were starting to get ready. Mr Green showed his private education as he got a couple of people involved in his virtual chess game, kids these days.

As we go through the tight twists and turns to get into the ground neatly tucked in amongst the houses. The memories come flooding back as we have been here once before 8 years ago where we stole a 3 point win with a mixed side so maybe it was written in the stars it would be close but how close.

The weather was lovely and warm which wasn’t expected but there is always a strong breeze. Speaker on, last minute taping, getting into the zone then outside for warm ups, the ground very firm and the front row were having many discussions about what type of footwear to use Gez Matthews really was flummoxed. Run throughs down and atmosphere was building at the ground, the Ellingham 2s game started and everyone back inside for final messages ready for the battle that was about to begin in a few moments.

Ref blew his whistle and we were off Chips being against the wind and very small slope ( nothing compared to our very Own Fortress Meads which manages to slope in every direction).

The sides were evenly matched maybe a bigger pack with more experienced to the home side with a more youthful look to the away side. Opening quarter was fairly cagey with both sides trying to find their edge. A penalty conceded by E’s the posts were pointed up by the ref and up stepped Conor Bracken who drifted it wide.
Another penalty infringement in the same spot by ‘E’s’ allowed Bracken to redeem himself to take charge to kick 3 points. 0-3
E&R replied soon after with a penalty of their own by Tom Veneroso. 3-3

Most of the play was between the two 22s but with the final passage of play letting down both sides. E&R we’re starting to find holes where there shouldn’t have been and had many breakaway but only for some excellent scramble defence. A couple of particular moments, Captain Bush shocking drop goal attempt nearly cost another try, or where we were stripped of the ball in an attacking position and then only an excellent cover tackle by Gould and I would say a perfect yellow for Mr Yellow Card himself Tom Wilcox as he killed the ball, it was his only option. That player owes him a beer. With Chipstead down to 14 and only 10 metres out and a hard working pack you would of thought Ellingham would of tried for more points but such was the premium of space a simple 3 points was taken by Tom Veneroso. 6-3

Half Time

Second half was all very nervy with players trying not to make the mistake that would cost their team the match. Hard Defence by the home side was one of the best chipstead have seen all season and it shows why they won their league and good luck to them next season. An early Penalty to chips and Bracken steps up to take the game level again. 6-6

Special mention to number 5 who showed how tough he was popping body parts back in at one point. Then 2 penalties back to back to the home side got them a penalty in the last play of the game, just outside the 22. It would have been a fitting ending to the game but alas it sailed past the posts. And that how it was ended the normal 80 minute match. 6-6

So to extra time we go, many of the players didn’t want that but the partisan home crowd who had a lot to say throughout the game. They were rewarded with a great backs move from the home side which was finished off by winger Jack Kelly. Conversion successful by Tom Veneroso and chipstead up against it. 13-6
Knowing they would need a converted score to stay in the contest.
Chipstead Front Row was starting to get on top and turn the screw, a penalty was won and a scrum chosen a pick from Luke Beattie at the base was then turned over excellently by the back row of Ellingham. Penalty to Ellingham to clear their lines. That’s where the replacement hooker got a little too passionate and in front of the ref threw numerous punches and was eventually dragged away by his own team who he continued to swing for.
The game until this point was played on the edge but in good spirits.
The ref after some time decided to reverse the penalty and a yellow card to scrum half Sam Veneroso. Which was strange as the ref said he saw the punches so how the player stayed on the pitch no body knows, we move on. Chipstead sensed blood and the pack drove a scrum which was motoring to the tryline was brought down by the home pack and the ref signalled a penalty try, no need for a conversion from Bracken.
13-13 end of the first half of extra time

Quick 1 minute break and then the second half of extra time. Players were cramping up on both sides but were keen to continue to be the hero for their respective sides. Rory Eddison was snipered by someone hiding in the trees as he went to go and get the ball out of a breakdown. When asked which leg was cramping he screamed out both.
At least we had a try each for both sides after none in the normal 80 minutes. That would have just been boring and not the excitement which was to come. Chipstead continued to push a couple of strange decisions at scrum time helped ellingham relieve pressure and with the ref saying last play and a Ellingham penalty they kick it long and it stays in play and chipstead work it to the midfield just behind the half way line when the ref called for a penalty but to who?
This would have been it who would continue on the glory for pizza ? eternalness.
It was to the away side sporting their away pink kit. I waddled over and with Bush mind made up, the wind behind and the rather small pitch he wanted the glory. The ref had confirmed we would have gone to a penalty shootout once the ball once it went dead.

Bracken was told he didn’t have the legs, Captain Bush put the ball down on the tee settled his nerves, focussed and sent a kick which neither team wanted to watch as it sliced through the posts and elation ensued with the boys in pink.
The ref blew the whistle for the end of an epic battle.
Ellingham & Ringwood 13- 16 Chipstead

Excellent appreciation from the crowd which had gathered for all the players who had all given it everything. Celebrations started in the changing room for all the players to get changed into their relevant fancy dress ‘Coach Trip’ garments. Brendan or Brendan ‘Callum Smith’ got all the boys ready and we had an excellent after match meal of pulled pork with Mac n cheese, yes there’s is a lot of food mentioned it is my expertise.

Really good guys down at Ellingham and the hospitality was one of the best we have had all season.
Motm was given to Henry Colyer who asked Coach Brian Small for 5 mins to get back to fitness after months out with ankle injury and ended up playing 100 odd mins.
Dotd was given to Coach for the same exact reason.

Pleasantries exchanged and we were waved on our way back to the coach and to our leafy village of Chipstead.

Fines and punishments handed out by Mr C Smith, consumptions were being knocked back at a rate of knots , some needed constant supervision, the lack of a toilet became an issue with bottles at the ready.

Well done to Stella Roy and the Eddison family for surviving being on the coach with us.

We then received the news we would have a home draw v Ealing in the Semis.

More songs were sung and after stops for another Burger King at an unnamed service station and then a quick toilet break at Cobham Services where a photo session was taken in the toilets.

The last 25 mins back down the winding roads on the way back to the club that had been opened for us by Gerry to celebrate some more. How a certain someone that was annoying everyone on the coach back managed to make it to London to go out is another amazing ending to our wonderful trip.

Thank you to all the support that came down and that couldn’t and we look forward to making next week the biggest game the club has seen at The Meads.