Chobham Fire on All Cylinders – Kingston 5 v 74 Chobham
Chobhams performance at Kingston was by the far the best of the season, winning 74-5, everything on the training ground came out on the paddock in glorious sunshine. A professional performance was complimented by their hosts never gave up, Chobham enjoyed a great day at a proper rugby club. Despite the score, the crowd of home and away fans were supportive for the full 80 minutes.
Kingston, a team Chobham hadn’t played in the league since February 2000, sit in the bottom half of Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex. There were 6 Chobham changes from the Walcountians game with Magnus Barber and Dan Warren returning to the back row for his first league game of the season, there is also a new centre partnership with Sam Davies and Nieem Khan, on the bench we see the return of Josh Sheppard, as well as Ben Puttock in his first league game of this campaign.
From the start the visitors dominance was at show, Justin Rowland jackalled at the first ruck for a turnover to set up winger Jay Miller to score a converted try in the right corner. This was the first time this campaign Chobham’s pack were of equal size to their opposition. Kingston’s first two scrums saw them going backwards at high speed, just underlying the Scarlett & Golds scrum, similarly the catch and drive from the visitors lineout saw them travelling metres every time. On the quarter of an hour one of these catch and drives saw Sean Bellion cross the chalk for the second try.
Half way through the half saw Nieem Khan score his first try of the season having broken two tackles in the process. Leon Nell scrummaged well, around the pitch Chris Kent was ever present at the breakdown and the reintroduction of Davies had a big influene on Chobhams attack. Kingstons Workman scored a well-deserved try in the left corner and showed the threat they are. In reply another Chobham catch and drive from the lineout 20m out saw Justin Rowland score the bonus point try of the game. Just before half time Joe Mousley scored his first try of the season. Chobham went in at half time 31-5 up at half time.
The Scarlett & Golds came out in the second half just as dominant as in the opening half, from a Kingston 5m defending scrum, the visitors dominant scrum won the ball against the head, the ball game flying out the back and Guy Mawhood kicked the ball along the ground to Adam Peever who juggled with it before running between two defenders and scoring a converted try under the posts. The next try was another Mawhood individual jinxing run from a ruck in the Chobham half to score another converted goal. Magnus Barber and Dan Warrens return to the Chobham back row biggest impact was at the breakdown, regularly turning possession over.
Mousley’s second try came from a Chobham ruck on their own 22m, great hands by the backs finally saw John Rumsey release him and he ran the length of the pitch for a converted score under the posts. Sam Thirlwells first score of the season came when Justin Rowland popped the ball to him for him to score a converted try. Pete McCain was an 80 minute thorn in the side for Kingston, whether it was his dominance of the scrum or his game line breaks.
Chobhams dominance at the scrum allowed another good platform for the star of the day Mousley to run through defenders for his third try. But it was 10 minutes later when Mousley scored his 4th try and by far the best of the day. From a long field kick from Kingston, retrieved by Mawhood just in play, he popped it to Khan who then sent Mousley the length of field, breaking three tackles to get his final try. Chobhams final try came from Sean Bellion who supported Mawhood on another jinxing run.
Head Coach Billy Davison said after the game “an unusually sunny and warm afternoon clearly suited the improving Chobham 1st XV. Playing with the field and weather advantage, the team got off to a flier with an early score. With a very strong reserve bench and an increasingly accurate performance as the afternoon wore on, it proved a match of great satisfaction.
Competition for a place in the Chobham 1st team is hotting up – another reason to be positive about what is possible for this group this season. Performances of note include prop McCain and lock Kent. Congrats to young wing Mousley who enjoyed scoring some fine tries.”
Assistant Coach Robbie Kennard said “we went very well this afternoon and a lot clicked. We played some good rugby, particularly in the second half.
It puts us in a good position for this Saturday in what will be a tougher test against Twickenham. There is and will be a lot of tough decisions to make around selection with a large number of players returning this weekend. A lot to play for and it is important that we continue to get better over the next few weeks.”
Harry Norman-Walker, Director of Rugby, said “that was an awesome game and for the second week it was an 80-minute Ch0bham clinical performance. The whole squad were stars and they knew to a man that there was no more to give.
The pack totally dominated and their lineouts were superb, the backs put into practise their whole repertoire of moves. We knew that they had it in them and last weeks performance had made us confident it was all coming together which we saw today.
We play Twickenham at home on Saturday and with 10 players returning for availability, we will be having to make some interesting selection decisions. Its the type of problem that is good to have and our strength in depth holds us in good stead for the season.”
Chobham Starters: Pete McCain; Sean Bellion; Leon Nell; Chris Kent; Sam Thirlwell; Magnus Barber; Dan Warren; Justin Rowland; Guy Mawhood; Adam Peever; Joe Mousley; Nieem Khan; Sam Davies; Jay Miller; John Rumsey.
Replacements: Ben Puttock; Max Sambrook; Josh Sheppard.
Tries – Miller, Bellion (2), Khan, Rowland, Mousley (4), Peever, Mawhood, Thirlwell
Cons – Davies (6), Peever (2)
Elsewhere Chobham had two games cancelled in the seniors, the Cannons league game against Tiffinians 2s and the Womens cup game against Newbury. A 13-man Crusaders team lost 40-36 to Purley John Fisher 2s.
This Saturday all three Chobham Mens teams are at home for a big weekend of rugby, the 1st XV host Twickenham, the Cannons play Weybridge Vandals 2s and The Crusaders play Sutton & Epsom 4s, on Sunday the Women are away to Barnes Ladies and the Colts are away to Bracknell.
Harry Norman-Walker
Director of Rugby
