For our third league match in as many weeks, Chipstead welcomed Chobham to the Meads. Storm Angus contributed to proceedings by providing a series of challenging conditions; in horse racing parlance the ground would be described as Soft (Heavy in places). However it was not just the weather that was a challenge and full credit to Chobham for providing our toughest test of the season is far. This is a game that the Exiles won through hard graft.

Winning the toss, Chobham decided to play down the hill, so the Exiles kicked off. Chipstead struggled to get any rhythm in the first quarter and the game, more generally, was broken up by a series of handling errors and knock-ons (weather related?) by both sides which meant that scrummaging was a constant feature – further adding to the discontinuity in play; this was a cold day to be a Back at times. Consequently, during this period it was only occasionally that either side managed more than 3 or 4 phases of play. Chobham finally broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a converted try (0-7). It took the Exiles a further six minutes to finally breach the visitor’s defence for an unconverted try of our own. So the close of the half saw the Exiles down two points (5-7).

The second half threatened much of the same again. However finally, after about 10 minutes, Chipstead hit a purple patch with the ball in hand and an Exile’s foray into the Chobham 22 ended with a converted try under the posts (12-7). To add to the tally, from receipt of the kick-off the Backs got the ball and a bit of pace saw another try out wide (17-7).

So the Exiles had opened up a 10 point gap that Chobham, after an extended team talk in their in goal, were evidently determined to close.

There then followed a sustained period of pressure in the Exile’s half as attack and defence by both teams became more frenetic. There were a number of notable defensive tackles by the Exiles’ players with many of the squad putting their bodies on the line inside our five meter zone to stifle the Chobham pressure. This resolution in defence allowed Chipstead to repeatedly clear our lines and chase the game back into mid-field. Chobham continued to press, however, despite enjoying a majority of possession this was not converted into penetration either by their high impact forward pace or (lateral) distribution by their backs. When the Exiles had the ball we were also able to go through the phases; with improved handling and good support presenting attacking opportunities of our own. Finally with the clock in the red zone, Chipstead were able to kick to touch to close off the game. Final score (17-7).

In summary, there is no doubt that Chobham enjoyed the majority of possession and the Exile’s defensive strengths were tested to the fore. However Chipstead also have a suite of attacking options both in the Forwards and in the Backs and this gave the hosts the edge in what was otherwise a very tight, highly competitive encounter.

Many thanks to Richard for officiating. Many thanks to the coaches and parent of Chobham for coming and a big thank you to the Chobham players for proving the competition and making this a real contest. Finally a big thank you and congratulations to the Exiles for making it three out of three so far. There is still a lot of work to be done, and after three weeks of competition it will be good to have a full turnout next week for some hard training.