Cobham 3rd XV 36 -31 Chipstead 2nd XV

In a very competative match where both teams scored 5 tries and played in excellent spirit it was a shame that a couple of real moments of madness cost Chipstead at least a share of the spoils.

With 5 cry offs between selection on Thursday and KO on Saturday you might (and possibly many did) think it was going to be another VERY difficult match especially when the back line were the worst hit - Fortunatley we had 3 cry-ons - which helped with numbers - but it was 2 more props and an 8 becoming available so it did not help some of the key positions.

I think it was obvious to the number of people on the touchline that the match was either going to be won by the Cobham backs or the Chipstead forwards as both were enjoying themselves when they had the ball. Initially Cobham moved the ball wide quickly and were rewarded with a couple of scores early in the half (one a penalty try for not retiring when we were on own goal line) which were both converted. Slowly with the forwards beginning to dominate their opposite numbers there seemed to be a realisation that actually we could compete with the opposition if we kept it simple and played to our strengths.

Tiny Tony at 8 was terrorising the opposition and the pack followed him round clearing up and running good support lines and Jon Wharton went over to prove it was not going to be one-way traffic. The pack dominence of the set piece showed when Cobham elected to take a penalty shortly after rather than risk being turned over. Tony then forced his way over himself after a good line-break to really get Chips back into contention.

When just as the half was ending Matt Staunton (New Guy) took a quick tap penaly and burrowed his way through to score another try and this time it was also converted by Forrest who was looking like he'd remembered how to kick again. 17-17 ! The referee said there was enough time for one last play of the half - Madness moment one - The kick was excellent and allowed Cobham runners to really put the catcher under pressure and unfortunatly whilst the rest of his team stood still the ball ricocheted off Dave Steve Tarquin and straight into the Cobham wingers arms to run in un-opposed for a score - at least conversion was missed.

Half Time - Cobham 22 - Chipstead 17

The second half followed a similar pattern but the larger bench the Cobham coach had to call on meant his forwards were being rotated more quickly in an effort to get them back a level of parity with the big Chipstead pack. Another well worked try extended out the lead for Cobham but then almost immediatly after Comrade was dumped on his head (only penalty awarded !) Dave Steve Tarquin was then folded in half in the next ruck and had to go off. Jamie Maloney who had shown his captain spirit by playing wing early-on was returned to his un-favoured position, Piers who had played well at 10 had peaked (probably at about 4am if his social media is anything to go by) and was moved to fall-back and Forrest asked to fill in a fly half ! If the ball hadn't gone wide earlier it wasn't going to go wide now - at the request of the coach !

Madness moment two - a penalty awarded in their own half was tapped by the centre who proceeded to run 65 metres without breaking a stride most of which was accompolished by pretty much everyone walking away with their backs to him ! A little disappointing given the effort that had been put in to have got the scores level at one stage ! 36-17.

Coach Chey decided to roll his only dice left and put himself on (probably so he could express his displeasure at the soft try at close quarters...) keeping the ball tight meant the forwards had even more possession and with the clock running down Tom Helliwell smashed his way over for another try (2 this season ......he's like a machine !) Forrest decided to nail the kick from the touchline and there was once again a bit of believe. In an almost indentical move where the forwards keeping the ball tight with great offloads got in range for Shrek to also crash over. Fortunately for Forrest it was on his favourite touchline and he nailed it again and the fire was well and trully lit.

With the ref then saying it was only about a minute left Chipstead really thought something could be gained - But Madness Moment three arrived as the Cobham fly-half put in a reverse kick to try and pin Chipstead deep in their own half and try to see out the clock - the ball was allowed to run along the floor between a number of players and out into touch where the referee decided that was enough time played ....

An excellent team performance where a really needed win was very achievable but we need to A) make the match defining moments the oppositions mistakes not ours and B) encourage your team mates to get training and commit to Saturdays.

Lets roll on to Chobham 3's in 2 weeks time with the same spirit and protect #FortressMeads.
FTL x