U13s 'Exiles' secure their second League win of 2015

In what proved to a competitively feisty game, Chipstead Exiles closed off their first season in the U13 League Premier Outer with a win, which should by my maths secure our position in the top group for next season. So let’s start with a big well done to the players – especially after a poor start to the league campaign. Having logged a disappointing first half of the season down to experience, the boys have now started 2015 with more edge. It just goes to show what can be achieved even by our small squad when injury and illness don’t determine team selection and everyone puts in a shift on the pitch.

The game itself was something of a try fest with nine tries over the course of the fifty minutes. From the off the Exiles took the game to the hosts with strong go forward pressure being rewarded with an unconverted try after about five minutes. Cobham were quick to counter with their own five point riposte, again unconverted. Further Chipstead pressure resulted in a second Exiles’ try in the corner, again not converted. However in a game of tit for tat, Cobham, from a set piece just outside our 22, broke through the Chipstead defence to level the scores under the post; making for a straightforward conversion to nudge the hosts ahead by 2 points. With the clock ticking down the half was closed off by Chipstead adding seven points with a try; also under the posts, which was also duly converted. Score at half time 12-17

The second half started well for Chipstead with another early try to build a 10 point cushion; but the advantage was short-lived with Cobham again securing possession and converting that possession into points; luckily though the try itself was not converted. The attritional nature of the game continued with a number of attacks by forwards and backs on both sides being stifled by frenetic defence. Finally Chipstead went over for their fifth followed right at the end by a sixth. Neither try was converted but that was secondary to the welcome sound of the final whistle with a well competed but well-earned win for the visitors. Final score 17-32.

It was not just the players working hard on this cold Sunday afternoon, as the referee was equally busy with both teams having a tendency for hands in rucks or encroachments for offside; amongst other things. The game on occasion had ‘the potential for a bit of argy-bargy’; but although threatened this never materialised.

This was a good win for Chipstead against good opposition – no one in the Premier division is ever going to be anything other than strong competition. On occasions this season the Exiles have underperformed on the pitch with recrimination replacing resolution when facing defeat; however when the Exiles play as a united force the results will come, as they did today. Well done again to players, parents and coaches and many thanks for your efforts.