Exiles Undefeated at Surrey “A” Festival

Sunday 6th April 2014 saw the Chipstead “Exiles” U12s play our last Surrey “A” Mini festival. Whilst like most of the other sides we had been building towards this day for the past couple of seasons, with it being the festival that would determine our league for next season, due to a change in the rules (made by the RFU) it was a day for competitive matches but with no overall winners; and the leagues to be decided through representations to Surrey Rugby.

We were drawn to play against Farnham, Weybridge Vandals, Richmond and our old friends and rivals Effingham & Leatherhead. So given the opposition it was definitely going to be competitive despite what the RFU say!!

First up were Effingham, in what was to be another full on game of rugby. Chipstead started well and from some good play by both forwards and backs,(and with the bounce of the ball favouring us), we were rewarded with the opening score (7-0). True to form Effingham came back at us, but a resolute Chipstead defence held firm. The second half was, in fairness, dominated by The “Eagles” and through a series of penalties they put pressure on our line. To their credit the Chipstead boys held firm and could even have had a second try but for an Effingham knock-on that was called up after we had gathered the ball and were crossing the line. So in a game that was very competitive and could have gone either way, Chipstead held on for a 7-0 win.

Next up were Farnham who would no doubt be out for revenge, as until last year they had never lost a game at Surrey “A” when Chipstead prevailed. As with the first game no quarter was given with both sides tackling anything that moved and had ball in hand. Most of the game was played between the 22’s as both sides struggled to get the upper hand. Towards the end of the contest Chipstead upped the ante and pressured the Farnham line but their defence held as they put their bodies on the line and kept us out. The final score of 0-0 meant that with two games down the “Exiles” had won 1 and drawn 1.

Our third game was against Weybridge Vandals whom we hadn’t played against before. This game saw the “Exiles” take it to the Vandals from the start and by the end of the half we were 21-0 up. This score-line owed more to some excellent Chipstead inter-play and a whole team effort rather than a weak Vandals side (there are no weak sides at Surrey “A”). Indeed the second half saw the Vandals bring the game to Chipstead but our defence was solid and we broke out to score a fourth try which was duly converted for a 28-0 win.

Our last game was against Richmond, against whom we have had many a close game over the last couple of seasons. The first half started with Chipstead pressuring their line and half way through Chipstead was 14-0 up; however Richmond came back into the game and scored before the break. Yet again this was a game where neither side was going to an inch and the ferocity of the tackling could be felt on the side-lines. The second half started with a mistake from Chipstead that eventually lead to a Richmond lineout 5 yards from our line. From the line-out Richmond did everything they could to cross into our in-goal area, but the boys put their bodies on the line and thwarted their attacks (no doubt there will definitely be some sore bodies tomorrow). After clearing our lines we went on the attack again and before the final whistle we scored a third try for a 21-7 win.

So what can we take from today, well we played some of the best sides in Surrey and were undefeated, scoring eight (converted) tries and only conceding one. We learnt from our disciplinary issues from the first game (giving away to many penalties) and we got stronger as the festival progressed.

It is fair to say that we should fear no one and have proved yet again that we are one of the stronger sides in Surrey. Whilst the revised “A” Festival format meant that we weren’t able play some of the other strong sides though to Cup, Plate or Shield, we have every reason to believe that the games would have been just as competitive as the games we actually played.

Well done to all 15 of you who played today, you did yourselves, your parents and us as coaches proud. If someone had said to us 6 years ago that we’d go to the Surrey “A”s at Chipstead U12s, be undefeated and be beating many of the so called senior Surrey clubs we’d have probably had a giggle. Oh how you have proved us wrong and that is a testament to your attitude, ability and your superb team spirit.

We have one festival left, at London Irish, so let’s go out on a high with big smiles on our faces!!