Chipstead 2nd XV V Old Walcountia​ns

Chipstead went down a try with a well worked driving maul after a line out in hells corner and at that time with the forwards going backwards att a great amount of knots we feared the flood gates would open. OW did not convert the try. The team led by Mike Taylor (as part time captain Conrad had an appointment for his hair and nails) had to defend a lot of pressure from OW playing down the hill and the first scrum looked worrying. But with some adjustments suggested by young prop Carl the scrum became more solid with Carl, Matt Barretta and Johnny Keegan working hard at the coal face.

It was good to see Alex Barretta back from uni with the young but very effective Boris in the second row. The experienced Fergy and Smithy at 6 & 7 led the charge with Mike Taylor charging off the back at 8. But after quite a lot of pressure up the hill it was OW that struck again with a well worked break away try. Chipstead 0 OW 10.

With continued pressure towards half time up the hill Mattie Barretta caught the ball just inside the Chipstead 22 and charged 80m up the pitch beating several players to score in the corner (that was his interpretation after 8 pints actually just inside their 22 but a good run). Good to see him playing so well since his serious knee injury.

A rousing speech by Skipper Mike got the team turned round in positive mood. Chipstead scored two further tries going down the hill, the first by Sean after a good amount of pressure from Chipstead but the second came from a nice move by the team ending in a tap penalty on the 5 meter lane taken by Mike Superman Taylor over the line Chipstead 15 OW 10.

It was good to see the backs play so well for the second week running, Stuart Flack the second row for U18 playing so well on the wing and nearly scoring in the corner, James Mann and Richard Bridge (backs man of the match) smashing through the centers, Matt at 9 and Duncan at 10 shifting the ball wide and defending so well. Not to mention Billy Wizz Sean on the wing and Lozzer at full back.

With some forced changes bringing on Adam, Arron and further youngsters Andy and Daniel the team was playing well. Debutant Daniel Gibson made a real impact (normally playing at hooker for the U18) he came on as blind side flanker and given the instruction to terrorise the opposition. Delegated part time coach Nicholls forgot to mention legally, seeing his school teacher playing he decided to make an illegal contact 10 seconds late; yellow carded with 10 minutes to play. Don’t blame Daniel blame his father!

A break in the stretched Chipstead defense by OW resulted in a converted try under the post Chipstead 15 OW 17.

A really good performance from one and all, see what we can do when we don’t back chat the referee oh and well played the referee. It was good to hear really positive comments about the game and team from those that watched, even Sir Greg White enjoyed the game!

Peter Nicholls