Match Report from Tom Hemsworth :
It was the first game in the cup for Chobham Bs, who travelled to Old Ruts. The pitch was in prime condition and the weather, although cold at first, was excellent. We knew we had a very strong squad, as usual.
Chobham immediately received a scrum as a result of the kick-off not reaching 10 metres. The forwards worked hard, led by new captain Harrison, and got us to the 22 with some superb ruck work. We unleashed the backs and Rhys at full back sprinted round the outside to score. Danny at fly half, as always, was precise with the conversion. The kick-off was more successful this time, so Chobham had to work from their own half. We stuck to our game plan, using the ‘red’ ball with the forwards, who had been strengthened with cup debutant Saxon joining Hugh and Teo on the back row, and then getting out wide to the backs. We worked our way up the pitch and Matt scored under the posts. Danny converted again.
Soon Chobham were starting to dominate. From a penalty, Danny kick to touch giving us a lineout. Ben threw in and it went down the line to Andy who crossed to make it 19-0. Ewen’s left boot unfortunately couldn’t convert. It was clear that our backs had improved from the last game: with the same approach as England, we played two playmakers at 10 and 12 (Danny & Ewen) who executed moves brilliantly, and always got it out to Lewis and Andy on the wings. In no time at all, Matt had scored his second try. Both the Toms came on off the bench for Teo and our Skipper Harrison. Following an astounding dummy from prop Billy and a small break from Harvey, Rhys scored his second try. It wasn’t all that easy though, as near the end of the half, Chobham let in three consecutive penalties from rucks, almost resulting in a try for the hosts, but Max turned the ball over and Sammo kicked out to touch. Half time: 31-0.
In the second half, despite Old Ruts’ big runners charging at Chobham, our tackling was immense and they couldn’t get through us. However, Saxon and Matt, who completed his hat trick, scored a try each and the score line was looking very one-sided. From the kick off following Matt’s try, Danny caught it, passed to Andy, and he was away for his second try. Half way through the half, Andy crossed the line again, well, he crossed the dead ball line. We gave him the try though, because before we had a chance to convert it, Old Ruts decided to call it quits. Chobham were into Round 2 of the cup.
Despite Old Ruts visibly being a taller side, we knew from the start that our warm-up was at a greater intensity than theirs, and it really showed in the match. It was one of our best performances to date.
Full time: Chobham 55-0 Old Ruts
Squad: Harrison (c), Ben, Billy, Max, Harvey, Teo, Hugh, Saxon, Sammo, Danny, Ewen, Walrus, Andy, Lewis, Rhys, Tom H, Tom Mobhamwe
Match Report: Tom Hemsworth
Photographs: Andrew Watson