Honours even at Cuddington Court

Chipstead U12s “Exiles” made the short trip to Sutton & Epsom for a scheduled train and game session; which owing to the vagaries of the weather was truncated into a series of games.

The weather has not been kind over the last few weeks with waterlogged pitches – home and away – forcing the cancellation of training and planned friendlies. So both Chipstead and Sutton & Epsom welcomed this opportunity for some competition. In total four matches were played in which the Blues played two and the Golds played two.

The current debate across the Surrey Rugby community (and beyond) is about the new non-competitive Rugby for Minis. However these four games were having none of that. These were friendly, competitive games played by teams of equal ability. Sure there were winners and losers, however most importantly the four games were played by teams comprised of players motivated to play for their club colours and their team mates. It also should be noted that all four games saw the players, coaches, parents and officials display a stoic disregard for the pestilential conditions.

As for the matches themselves, Chipstead won two and lost two. In both cases however the margin of victory or defeat was only by one or two tries - an indication of the relative parity between the Chipstead and S&E squads. These games were not for the purist – with the cold and wet making passing and catching an issue – however as an opportunity to iron out a few New Year kinks and get some much needed game time these games were just the ticket.

It is worth bearing in mind, with all the "conversations" around the new Surrey RFU plans that Rugby is a competitive sport, by definition – and so long as it is played in the correct spirit, with due regards to the players’ safety and enjoyment (in that order), and due disregard to Lombardian ethics – games like those today are the reason that parents, coaches and players turn up and turn out. Well done to everyone today, good effort.