2nd XV hold on to win at Old Cranleighans

With the number of players out, especially in the back line, for this Conference 2 match it was at one point discussed if Chipstead would be able to fulfil the fixture ! Therefore credit must go out to the 15 players that took the field knowing that only 80 minutes of graft from every one of them would be enough.
When you looked further under the hood of the team and notice that 10 of the them were actually 'tight five' players, 2 were back-row and 2 backs (Liam Colgan and Matt Partridge) and finally, of course, Captain Matt Staunton who says he's a scrum half !

Ask any prop or second-row to play in the back line and of course there is confidence - they know how to catch and pass (better than the backs) - but when you add in the third criteria of doing both at speed is where the concern creeps in. But Saffa Jon (Centre), Skills Jon (Fullback) and in rotation Tall John, George, Simmo & Chey (Wing !) all showed levels of fitness, determination and guile to keep the OC's attackers at bay. Once again though it was at 10 where the real class was on display following on from similar recent performances of Josh Burrell and Ben Gilbert was Luke Davis (flanker) who had an impeccable game working with Matt to keep the players on a front foot - which had to happen as the turning circle of some of those players outside were not dis-similar to a Sherman tank.

The game really hinged on some bizarre decisions from the OC's where they kept using their rather large pack as their number one source of attack but when you are constantly facing the likes of Tom H, Jon D and Jon W in the front row they got little or no reward throughout - OC's moved the ball 3 times in the match with any kind of purpose and scored three tries - They were nearly given a 4th opportunity by their Chairman (Ref for the day) who generously gave them one last play after already saying the time was up but not wanting to give up everything they had worked hard for Chipstead players held firm and with it a VERY hard fought win.

MOM - Matt Partridge & Luke Davis