Match Reports

Chipstead arrived at Old Beccehamians to find a solid frost-covered set of pitches awaiting them. Following the postponement of Old Cats and Old Reigatians matches in recent weeks, plus the no-show of our hosts at Edenbridge, this wasn`t what we were hoping for. The third side listed for the rugby, Blackheath, didn`t bring an under-12 side to Old Becs, so our hosts agreed with Nigel & Howard to have a short training session followed by some matches of touch-rugby. It was certainly the right decision, as the ground was rock-solid, and contact rugby was a no-no.
The first of the two matches was a 15-a-side affair, which saw a very cramped match played on a pitch too small for such numbers. To Chipstead`s credit, we spent the majority of the game camped in the Becc`s half, and there were some excellent passing movements. There was little room for running with the ball, and Old Beccs were turned over with the `six-touch` rule when they managed to get possession. The only score of the game went Chipstead`s way, Tom Pople grabbing the try Chips deserved. Final score Old Beccehamians 0 Chipstead 5.
It was decided to reduce numbers to 12-a-side for the following match, with the forwards setting off to practice the `real stuff` on the scrum machine. The quality of Chipstead`s rugby continued, and with the extra space on the pitch, the ball was beginning to find the gaps. Chips began to run the tries in, and soon had a comfortable lead with Ethan scoring twice. Old Beccs were again suffering turnover as Chipstead were quick to make the tackles, and had far more ball throughout than Old Beccs. Tom P was testing the touch-tackling rule along with his opponent, and the tempo began to spread in other areas of the pitch which left us wondering if we were really watching a match of touch-rugby! But Chips kept their discipline and eventually scored four without reply, Ethan grabbing the lot. Final score Old Beccehamians 0 Chipstead 20. Smiles all around at the end, the boys enjoying a keenly contested encounter, and grateful for a match of any sort against another club.