Sunday the 19th saw a new page in the Exiles’ chronicle with the inaugural combining of both Old Whitgiftians (MitWhits) and Chipstead (Exiles) U15s. Whit-Chips? Chip-Whits? CW Exiles? The naming will come later. The focus for today was to assess players and try out new combinations.

That we were doing this against Horsham in a friendly added a degree of mettle testing to the proceedings. Horsham U15s currently sit atop the Sussex league 1 with a win ratio of played six, won six. This was always, therefore, going to be a real competition; albeit a friendly one.

The first twenty minutes was essentially one way traffic as Horsham, playing a fast, passing game, scythed through the host’s defence. Obviously a well drilled squad who have played plenty of games together, the difference in familiarity and unfamiliarity between the two sides was evident; and the first period ended with the hosts down three tries to none (0-19). It would have been four tries if not for a superb try saving tackle right at the close, which resulted in Horsham spilling the ball forward over the line.

Once the Horsham game style had been read the next iteration of the combined home squad played out a much tighter second 20 minutes, although initially Horsham got the break and went down the wing to score a converted try. The hosts’ try when it came was straight off the Croham Manor Road training field. From a line-out, outside the Horsham five metre line, the ball was picked up by the forwards and barrelled over the line by a driving pack. Just rewards for sustained pressure. From a tight angle, the conversion went over to secure the maximum seven. So having shipped 19 points in the first session, this second period ended with honours even at one try apiece (7-26). The third 20 minutes saw another mixed home grouping take the field; and this final passage of play was similar to the second with the Horsham attack being met with a resolute defensive effort. Finally Horsham got the break as a gap opened up and quick ball out the wing again led to a try. Final score (7-33).

What was consistent over the hour of competition was Horsham’s style of play, comprising assured lines and angles and running off the ball; but on occasion the receiver got ahead of the ball carrier resulting in forward passes. The hosts’ game, perforce necessitated by the rotational nature of blending groupings, was more route-one and defensively inclined. Both scrums often showed a degree of (over) enthusiasm but parity, with the hosts wining a couple against the head which did their confidence no harm at all. Some deft kicking out of hand utilised the wind and the slope to gain territory, although periodically the Meads’ mistral played silly bu**ers with the high balls, bemusing on occasion players and the referee.

So what can we take out from the day? Firstly it was evident by the display from the visitors why they lead their League and we look forward to another friendly next season. What of the fusion of the two Surrey squads? The rationale for ‘combination’ is to ultimately give a larger talent pool from which to draw, and give, for all players, more opportunities for games. As a first run out, for the coaches what mattered most was looking at players and permutations and start putting into place the embryonic structure of future teams. In this there were many positives and no negatives. All the participants put in a shift today, especially as many were being asked to play in unfamiliar positions alongside unfamiliar teammates. Patterns of play and understanding of intent takes time to develop and will come with experience and familiarity of training and game time. So well done to everyone involved with what hopefully looks like the beginning of a constructive entente.