Back in April 2009, a Chipstead Under 7s team won the Shield Final at the season ending London Irish Festival. Today, in January 2020, some of those same players were back at London Irish for the Surrey Rugby Colts Waterfall Cup Beech Final. Its been quite the journey.

With a full squad selected for this game not all players could play for the full 6o minutes, but – and in line with the competition rules and RFU guidelines - everyone got game time; and the inclusive style of The Academy's play ensured that everyone on the pitch contributed to this win. So many thanks to all the parents, coaches and players that made the trip to Sunbury.

There was a definite, purposeful, mood amongst the squad during the warm up – as if the older players knew this was their chance to end their Academy years with a title and a trophy.

This mood transitioned into an intent which was then carried into the game, with Chipstead kicking off and recording our first try after only four minutes (5-0). Two minutes later the try count had doubled (12-0) with a strong Forwards' display being duly rewarded. A few minutes later it was the Backs turn to open up and contribute to building the lead (19-0).

However this was the last score of the half.

Reflecting the requirement that all players got selected we started to rotate the squad and, allied to Old Emanuel building their own phases of play, the game settled into a midfield strong arm contest. Consequently the remaining 20 minutes of the half saw plenty of action but no additional points, to either side.

If truth be told, Old Emanuel had the edge in the latter stages of the first half and this advantage continued into the opening period of the second with a well worked move resulting in their scoring early (19-5). Gradually however Chipstead began to regain our cohesion and countered with a try of our own (26-5).

Both teams traded passages of phases and possession, but no further scores ensued. In the final play of the game, however, a lost Old Emanuel line out culminated in the coup de grâce of a breakthrough Backs' try under the posts. With the conversion successful (33-5), the referee blew the final whistle to end the contest.

Congratulations again.

Real positives from today. Over and above the result, it was the unity of purpose shown by the whole squad, the on pitch communications and the levels of skills on display.

It was not just the win, but the manner of that win. And for that, many thanks.