The Cannons travelled down to Epsom for a league game against Old Haileyburians (OH) with the aim of putting on a strong performance away from home. Old Haileyburians league position being somewhat of a misnomer as they had proven in previous games to be more than capable of rising to a challenge. For the first time in over four weeks, it was not raining sideways and the Cannons took this as an opportunity to play their preferred brand of rugby. Some late replacements had to be made for both sides and unfortunately the scrums were uncontested from the get go, as OH were unable to field a full front row.
OH started the game well and the passages of play from the kick off saw OH take a 3 point lead 3 minutes into the game. Chobham took this opportunity as a wake up call and replied with 3 tries in the first half and four tries in the second while successfully keeping OH scoreless for the remainder of the game. Ciar Cox had a very strong outing at the kicking tee and was able to convert all bar his last attempt at the posts. The game itself was not the most cohesive for the Cannons as they welcomed new and returning faces with the accompanying positional change but a strong and hungry team culture shone through, highlighted by some fantastic individual performances. This was most personified by the man of match number 12. Nieem Khan, who through sheer relentlessness and brutal physicality lead by example and was himself able to cross the white wash twice. Special mention also has to be made to the Chobham Colts who stepped up very successfully to senior rugby and put in a strong performance.
Overall the Chobham Cannons will take heart in the fact that the game was played in great spirit from both sides and that they look to next week’s game against KCS with some clear goals set. At the moment the Cannons sit at the top of the league, 4 points clear with a game in hand but know they will have to battle hard to defend the spot. The performance from some players will give the coaches some food for thought and the expectation to carry the standard into next week’s game which will see them tested.
Full Time:
Old Haileyburians 3-47 Chobham
Scoring:
Chobham Tries: Wynne, Lenton, Perry, Khan (2), Somper (2) Conversation: Cox (6)
OH: Pen Team:
- Bill Owen 02. Lol Perkins 03. Tim Woods 04. Ed Wynne 05. Tom McVey 06. Alex Antal 07.
Ben Puttock 08. Leon Nell © 09. Michael Lenton 10. Steven Ball 11. Keir Perry 12. Nieem Khan
- Danny Sherlock 14. James Somper 15. Ciar Cox 16. Jack Wakefield 17. Alex Gander Coach: Andy Campbell