5 Points With an Ugly Win
Chobham 38-29 Old Cranleighans
This week Chobham went into the weekend with some forced changes against Old Cranleighans to those that travelled to Hove, Matt Bosworth returned to the second row, Adam Peever stepped back in at fly half with hooker Reece Finnerty, Dan Benton and Jay Miller on the bench. Congratulations to Reece and Jay as they make their first team debuts.
Chobham started the game well and 5 minutes in from a well worked line out in Chobhams own half the forwards and backs worked well before Josh Sheppard set off on a jinxing run before releasing John Rumsey to score a try. Just before the quarter of an hour from a scrum on the half way line Guy Mawhood broke the line to give Rumsey his second try, converted by Adam Peever. The Home team got into shape nicely, but were growing frustrated by not converting good chances into more points. Chobham went in 12-0 up at half time.
Just after half time in the home teams half a Dan Benton break then released Sean Bellion who passed to Ollie Blackmur to score a converted try under the posts. Cranleighans 5 minutes into the second half opened their account when winning the lineout on the 22-metre line used their hands to put the left winger in for a try.
Chobham replied straight away from the kick off with a Sam Goddard converted try. Again, from a lineout a strong series of pick and goes saw Angus Hargan help Goddard over for another converted try.
The last 15 minutes and Cranleighans dominating moments kicked off with their centre crossing the line form a scrum following poor tackling from the home team. Chobhams last try came from Miller in the left corner.
The last 10 minutes saw three visitors tries from set pieces, poor defence each time let them score.
Assistant Coach Robbie Kennard said “The players and coaches were left a little frustrated at the final score line of 38 – 29. The players are working hard at their shapes and lines of running but there is a tonne of work to do in terms of identifying where the space is and how to move the ball there.
The sign of a good team is one that can win ugly and Chobham certainly did that! With a little more concentration and less individual errors; the Chobham players know they are a threat to any team in this league!”
Director of Rugby Harry Norman-Walker said after reviewing the video ” for the third game in a row Chobham’s dominance in the first hour has collapsed for the last quarter allowing the opposition into the game. A game where we dominated the set piece and aggressive attacking was marred by poor defence and tackling.
Again, we were smaller to a man, but our skillsets are technique are probably some of the best in this league, allowing us to dominate teams.
I was pleased to see Old Emanuels getting their first win of the season in a very tough year for them.
We had a 5-point win today and can ask for no more, I’ve set high expectations and if we can improve every week that’s all I can ask. I’m proud of this squad, one of the best in a long while with a great team spirit and ethos.”
Starters Pete McCain; Leon Nell; Angus Hargan; Matt Bosworth; Sam Thirlwell; Harrison Jones; Max Sambrook; Sam Goddard; Guy Mawhood (Capt.); Adam Peever; Joe Mousley; Nieem Khan; Josh Sheppard; Ollie Blackmur; John Rumsey.
Game Changers Reece Finnerty; Dan Benton; Jay Miller.
Harry Norman-Walker
Director of Rugby
