Chobham 1st XV upset the predictions

After a few difficult weeks at Fowlers Wells the boys travelled to Chiswick on Saturday and showed what they were capable of, fourteen points from Sam Davies, two turnovers from Jacob Bainbridge and Josh Sheppard stripping the ball in the tackle were big game changers. One of the big positives at Chiswick was that the Scarlet and Golds picked up no serious injuries for the first time this season.

As with every game this season, Chobham had a different line up with eight changes. Back row Alex Gibson, from Farnborough Rugby, made his debut and Alex Julian was a Saturday morning call up to the bench due to illness. Chobham saw the welcome return of hooker Sean Bellion, wing Joe Mousley, fly half Sam Davies, Chris Kent and Ben Puttock in the back row and dynamic utility back Guy Mawhood.

From the kick off on Chiswicks stunning all weather pitch Chobham looked different and challenged the top of the table team tackle for tackle, the surface complimented the visitors running game. TJ Sims lineouts were finding Dan Benton and Sam Goddard and for a great attacking platform.

As had been typical Chobham they switched off and a quarter of an hour gone saw Chiswick flanker Wannop score in the corner from a line out driving maul. The next score was Tommy Reed cutting through the host centres to score a try converted by Sam Davies. Unfortunately, the Scarlet and Golds switched off and from a line out on the opposite side Wannop scored again from a driving maul. From the kick off receipt the hosts pass was intercepted by Davies to see him go in under the posts to score a try he converted with 10 minutes of the half left.

The visitors’ scrums were dominant and gave scrum half Kennard a good attacking set piece. The last major incident of the half was to see Sheppard go to the sin bin for blocking the kicker, the teams went in at half time with Chobham 14-10 up. James Stark dominated the centres and quietly controlled everything that ran at him.

The second half saw the resolute Chobham defence fight hard until 5 minutes in another well worked Chiswick line out saw winger Rutledge score in the corner. Chobham then started to dominate and saw a number of penalties in the red zone, from a scrum Davies scored his second of the day. With a quarter of an hour to go the Sheppard collected a kick just outside the visitors 22 and sent Mawhood off, a great little chip and collect then saw the full back run the length of the field to score the bonus point try. Wannop from the host was the next scorer with his hattrick from their fourth 5m line out to see Chiswick score.

The Chobham line saw Sam Thirlwell and Puttock tackle count rising to help in the visitor’s domination. The next score from a 5m line out was the visitors when replacement Bellion soft hands popped the ball to Angus Hargan to score in the right corner. Mousley’s confidence grew and with ball in hand looked very dangerous.

However, it was Chiswick who had the last say of the day with yet another try from the 5m line out with centre Burrows at scrum half scoring. It was great to see Kent have his best game of the season and cover the wide channels really well in defence. The game finished 29-25 to the visitors and a memorable win for Chobham.

Coach Robbie Kennard said “Ait was a good day, what we worked on in training paid off. I’m pleased with the result, but we still have a lot to work on.”

Director of Rugby Harry Norman-Walker said “to get a win against the top of the table is fantastic, we still need to work on defending line outs and personal areas of the game. I was impressed at our dominance at the breakdown and some crucial steals. The next two weeks are just as tough for Chobham with second place Tottonians followed by third placed Reeds. We’ve proved to ourselves we have the ability to compete and spoil the party. Next week we are hoping to see a number of returnees to bolster the squad as well.”

Saturday 6th November also sees the Annual Ladies Lunch, this year in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK.