Chiswick Forced to Share the Points

Rugby Result : Chiswick 23 Chobham 23

On a murky day at Riverside Lands, Chiswick's fortunes ebbed & flowed, but finally had to settle for a draw in their London One League game against Chobham.

With Chiswick having to make several late changes to their starting XV, it was Chobham who started the match the better and were soon showing their intent to run the ball at every opportunity.

1st XV Man of the Match Award, Sponsored by Snappy Snaps Chiswick

With only 3 minutes gone on the watch, Chobham opened the scoring. After their threequarters made inroads into the Chiswick defences, their forwards drove over for a try. 0-7
Chobham continued to press and dominated territory in the opening minutes, as Chiswick failed to find any rhythm or continuity. With Chiswick forced to defend, they were penalised by the referee and Chobham slotted a penalty from 35 metres to extend their lead. 0-10

On 17 minutes, Chiswick had their first serious attack and after Chobham conceded their first penalty, Simon Hallett (Fly Half) slotted the penalty from 30 metres. 3-10

Chobham responded immediately, with more running play, first down the left flank drawing in defenders, then sending the ball to right, where the Chiswick defence was breached in midfield and their right winger was released to score a good try wide out. 3-17.

As the game entered the second quarter, Chiswick began to build momentum, growing into the game with more possession and better territorial advantage. Sam Leslie-Miller (Capt & No 8) was prominent in getting beyond the gain line and with Dan Godfrey (Inside Centre) 'punching holes' in the Chobham defence from First Phase, Chiswick were increasingly testing the Chobham defences. With four minutes left in the half, Chiswick scored a fine try. With the Chobham having to prevent a Chiswick surge on the left, the ball was spun right for Dan Sutherland (Fullback) to enter the line and release James Bunbury (Outside Centre) to glide through a gap and outpace the Chobham cover. Simon's conversion grazed the outside of the post. 8-17

Chiswick continued in the ascendancy in the second half, giving the small touchline crowd plenty of 'reasons to cheer' their endeavours (we almost had Roy Rees Williams singing Hymns & Arias on the touchline).

On 45 minutes, the Chiswick threequarters broke through the Chobham defence with a chip and slick handling to send James Bunbury clear to score his 2nd try. Once again the conversion sailed just wide of the post. 13-17

With Chobham defending for the majority of time, the penalty count against them grew and on 52 minutes, Simon Hallett slotted a penalty. 16-17
Chiswick ended the 3rd quarter of the match with a third try to take the lead for the first time. The forwards driving down the left flank some 25 metres with Stu Parmeter (Tight Head) directing, before releasing the ball to the right. Simon Hallett making a half-break, releasing Dan Sutherland into space and set Tom Steer (Right Wing) clear to outpace the defence and run around under the posts to score. 23 -17

Chobham, to their credit, fought back with their replacements adding impact, especially their new Flyhalf, who possessed a howitzer of right boot, to clear their defences and force Chiswick back into their own half. With Chiswick opting to run the ball back and Chobham defending the counter attacks well, mistakes occurred and Chiswick were penalised in the final minutes, allowing Chobham to kick two penalties to draw level on the scoreboard & take two points back to West Surrey.

Team : Cooper, Bendall, Parmeter, Copperwheat, Gray, Joyce, Darroch, Leslie-Miller (C), Dovey, Hallett, Godfrey, Bunbury, Steer, Purkiss, Sutherland. Bench: Marco, Morris, Milias

December 19, 2016