Chipstead U10s (“Exiles”) Blues team win Saracens Alan Day Volkswagen Cup

What a day at the Hive. Chipstead’s U10 team and entourage made the journey up to Barnet in a mini bus and fired up DJ Simon’s Max Boyce greatest hits; however the psychological damage of listening to Ar Lan y Môr and Rhondda Grey did not affect the players who insisted on listening to music of a more modern vintage.

This festival consisted of eight teams who had made it through to the knockout stage at the Alan Day Cup in December. With all the teams having been through the cauldron of the qualifying rounds it was obvious that there would be no easy teams here today.

The Blues team were Daniel B, David, Elliot, Euan, Finlay, Inigo, Luke, Lewis Bro, Jack S, Rafe, Rory, Tommy and Tom.

The Matches

The first match was against Amersham and Chiltern Lions, a team we had drawn against last time out. Would history repeat itself? Chipstead were psyched up and as anticipated it was a tough encounter. Hard fought battles were the order of the day at the breakdown although gradually Chipstead started to gain the upper hand and a well worked try was scored from continuous pressure. Amersham, understandably, came back at us hard using their big runners but the Chipstead defence was resolute and the players repelled the attacks. The first victory was secured. Final score 1-0.

In match two the Exiles faced Hemel Hempstead. As Paul noted, Hemel had some big lads and evidently this was going to be another tough contest. As predicted Hemel used their big forwards to attack, but again Chipstead’s defence held. As the game progressed Chipstead forwards gained the upper hand at the breakdown and the set piece, this resulted in a well worked team try the second victory was secured. Final score 1-0

With three points for a win and one for a draw, the coaches did the sums and with match three against Haywards Heath, win, lose or draw, we had secured our place in the final. Whether the boys read this in our mannerisms or had worked it out for themselves Chipstead took their foot off the pedal for this encounter. We let Haywards Heath beat us at the break-down which gave them the impetus and the attacking opportunities. Some lax defending allowed two tries to be scored. Haywards Heath are a good side but not better than us; the Chipstead ‘Malaise’ had reared its ugly head. However our final place had been secured. Final score 0-2.

And so to the Final. Chipstead against Beaconsfield. The comment from the coaches at the final whistle was "Wow! What a contest".

Beaconsfield, one of the top clubs in Buckinghamshire, were undefeated in the pool stages and were a well drilled team, playing good rugby. In many ways they had the momentum going into this final game. However Chipstead won this match. They won by doing the basics very, very well; they won it by listening to the coaches and they won it by learning the lessons from their previous games. This is how the trophy was brought back to the Meads. The ‘Exiles’:

• came up as one defensive line with a collective mind-set that said ‘they shall not pass’
• held the defensive line and did not get ‘sucked in’. Thus our defensive line was strong; providing a platform to turn defence into attack.
• executed ‘Feed the Speed’ with aplomb. We competed at the break down and won quick ball to the back line that went forward. This tactic sucked in Beaconsfield’s defensive line creating gaps on the wings. The ball was passed by the backs down to the wingers who had the space to work with, thanks to the forwards’ having drawn in Beaconsfield’s defence. Three well-worked tries were scored by this gameplay. Three well-worked tries with forwards and backs understanding what was required and working as one coherent unit.

Final score 3-1

The match was won, hands were shaken, cheers were given, and the trophy collected and off to Wembley to parade in front of 83,000 fans at the Saracens vs. Harlequins game.

‘It’s not about the player it’s about the team’. This really was a team effort. Every player contributed to this victory; every player gave their all. Congratulation also needs to go to the coaching team. Thanks also to Anthony (“ruggamadsaffa”) for the idea of the Exiles entering the competition.

Thoughts from the day

We need the wide angle lens for the ‘Simeon shot’

This was a great day of rugby played by all teams in a competitive but fair playing style. The refereeing was excellent and consistent and allowed the games to flow.

As coaches we know how good the Chipstead ExileBlues are and it is days like this that make those cold Sunday’s at the Meads worthwhile.

Boys - The manner in which you won this trophy today showed us, and the supporting parents, your abilities on the pitch, the evolution of your game play and possibly, more importantly, your unbounded team ethos and sportsmanship. Onwards and upwards.

Paul and Mark.