Match Reports

Chipstead 2’s went into this away game against a tough London Media side, known for their forward strength. They knew the importance of a win, to keep them at the top of the table, with Old Ruts just a win behind them.
A good squad enabled Coach Jay Howells to pick a well balanced side that started on the front foot but gave away a string of penalties, due to what could only be described as over commitment. It was good to see this commitment but it gave London Media the opportunity to retain possession and keep Chipstead on the defence in their own half. Chipstead 2’s have proven to be a tough side to score against and this strong defence kept a Media score at bay. Chipstead worked their way up the pitch with the forwards working hard to get to the breakdowns and the backs moving well in open play. A few good phases led to 2 penalties. First a long one which Sam Mills pushed wide, then a shorter one, which came from a kick ahead from JT which was well chased by Sam and Dave Gabb. They put the Media catcher under pressure who was penalised for holding on. Sam struck the ball well to give Chips a 0-3 lead.

James Small took a clean catch under pressure from the kick off and charged in field, releasing the backs. The ball went wide through the hands of JT, Rory and Dave before Sam hit the line at pace from Full Back, burst though the defensive line and released Lawrence on the wing for a majestic team try. London Media had no answer to this pace and quick movement through the hands. Sam scored the conversion. 0-10

The Chipstead pack began to dominate the scrum with the front row of, Martin, James Keegan and Jon Wharton working tirelessly to have another great game. Champo controlled the forwards well and gave good ball to the backs, a solid performance from him. Chipstead backs looked dangerous when they kept ball in hand, but too many dropped balls off set play meant they were not able to build on the possession to make as much impact as they’d like. Another reason to get training and practice those moves.

An even battle at the breakdown for the rest of the half produced a hard but enjoyable game of rugby. London Media were struggling to break the Chipstead defensive line but rumbled the ball up well through the forwards to camp in Chipstead’s half. A turnover for Chipstead deep in their own 22, following more spirited defence, particularly from back row Dan, Simmo and Captain Conrad Smith, gave the backs the ball. Champo passed wide from the ruck to Sam who released Lawrence, who then jinked around the Media backs and opened his famous long stride to score for Chipstead. A fantastic try that came from hard forwards work, combined with positive attacking play from the backs. Are we All Blacks in disguise? For a moment we were anyway! Conversion from Sam 0-17 Half time.

Speaking to London Media in the bar after, they were disappointed to be 17-0 down at half time, feeling they had the better of the territory. They started the 2nd half stronger and Chipstead had to work hard to compete at the breakdown. A complete change in the back line for Chips, due to a strong bench meant they had to build new partnerships.

Media continually held Chipstead up in the tackle to maul us off the ball and win possession. Chipstead were more effective when going to ground earlier and using their superior fitness to get to the rucks sooner. Russell Bridges was on with fresh legs at Flanker and began to lead the forwards to the rucks smashing over early with Connie and Simmo. Alex at 2nd row showed great fitness again this week to be supporting at every breakdown, helping to keep the ball alive.

London Media though, were now playing some good rugby and had 3 first team players who began to get more involved in the game. Their Fly Half was now using his pace to find some space and used their first team winger with effect to produce some better attacking play from Media. A rare moment of poor tackling from Chipstead, saw the Fly Half weave through the forwards and take advantage of a gap in the midfield to score and convert the try 7-17.

The game now became more open with a lot of change in possession. London Media kicked a lot of ball over the top giving Chips backs the opportunity to run back. Clarke Gibson made some notable runs from deep and retained possession well in the tackle. An opportunist try then came for Chipstead when Sam kicked a dropped Media ball ahead, and controlled it well to pick up and score. Conversion missed 7-22.

This was a kick in the teeth for London Media but their heads did not drop. They came back late in the game to score a try from a forwards pack that worked hard until the end. 12-22. Chipstead played the game out by retaining possession to clock another win.

Chipstead could have played better at times if they were training more and playing in more regular positions together. Although they continue to make life hard for themselves their skill at this level and spirit lead by influential Captain Connie is delivering wins.

Still top of the table in a competitive league, before a week’s break for the 6 Nations.

See league http://www.surreyrugby.com/pages/pv.asp?p=surrey198&fsize=0
Conference 3