Sterling effort by Exiles at Festival

One year on this was a much improved performance by the Chipstead under 10 Golds (“Exiles”).

The match day programme provided the evidence of the tough draw in group C with the Exiles facing Effingham & Leatherhead, Old Alleynians and Rosslyn Park.

The first match saw the Exiles face E&L. In a gritty first half the forward play of both sides was to the fore with a succession of rucks and mauls as neither side was able to make the decisive break. The half ended honours even – and provided indications that all the Chipstead players had the confidence in their abilities to front up and play for the Team. The second half continued in a similar vein, although gradually the ball started to find space and the game opened up. An eventual E&L break ended when the player grounded the ball short. However from a scrum in the same area E&L went over for the only try of the game. Final score 1-0.

Match two was against Old Alleynians. This was an interesting contrast in playing styles with the tight play of Chipstead acting as a counterpoint to a more open style of the team from Dulwich. The game in the first half ebbed and flowed with Chipstead’s response to an initial try by Old Alleynians being a solid, purposeful forwards run from the off that scythed through the defence. Whilst the endeavour in the second half from the exiles was encouraging, the Old Alleynians had more variety in the locker and drew too many Chipstead players into breakdown situations before getting the ball out wide. Our Backs made sterling efforts to thwart a number of penetrating runs by the opposition however Old Alleynians ran over for two more tries before the final whistle. Final score 1-3.

Between match two and the final game against Rosslyn Park there was an enforced delay due to an injured player on the pitch from the Dorking vs. Warlingham match. Although hopefully not serious, player safety comes first. A shoulder injury resulted in a Warlingham player being taken off in the ambulance. Our best wishes go to him for a speedy recovery.

Game three was a game to far against a strong opposition. Rosslyn Park took the game to us and the Chipstead defence; through willing in spirit could not contain the sustained attacking pressure of the boys from Roehampton. Chipstead shipped three unanswered tries in the first half and three more in the second half. This was simply a game where the better team one. There is no disgrace in that; especially if you use the experience to think about how you can improve as a player. Rosslyn Park were more aggressive at the breakdown, faster to the ball carrier in defence and more willing to pass and create space. A total team performance. Final score 0-6.

As noted at the start of this report. If we think back to this time last year, the progress made by the Golds in the last 12 months was evident on the pitch today. There are still areas to address.

In terms of lessons learnt, we can but repeat many of the observations made last week after the Surrey A festival. Going into contact leading with the ball rather than the shoulder is probably not the most effective method to retain possession; our rucks and mauls lacked oomph with too many players committing themselves to the breakdown but without putting in the drive and effort to win the ball. We need to be hungrier at the breakdown and more willing on occasion to distribute the ball out.

In the pre match briefing we told the boys that if they came of the pitch thinking that they as individuals had done all they could and had given everything in their ability to deliver, then no-one can ask more of a player. However if they came off after the final whistle and knew – deep down - that they had not fully contributed and had not played to their full potential then they would have let not only themselves down but also their team mates. It is for the individual to think about how they played today and what they will do to improve for the next match.

We should not however end without an overall summary which is much more upbeat. This was a good Team performance today; as a body of players you are coming together well. You did yourselves proud and you did the club proud. Well done.

Peter