Belsize Park 17-24 Chobham
Chobham headed to Regents Park on Saturday in the glorious sunshine under the shadow of the Post Office Tower, the few visiting supporters were entertained by a last play win by the visitors. The team saw four changes with Harvey Bowen returning in the front row with the “Brazilian train” Joao Hames at prop, utility forward Dan Warren on the bench and a debut start on the wing for ex youth player Ieuan Woods, who joined us from Ormskirk RFC during the summer. On the day assistant coach Chris Nicholas was in charge for the day.
The first half started with a Belsize Park pack totally dominate the visitors young scrum. credit had to go to Chobham for sticking at it for 80 minutes. The visitors open play kept the in the game and their work at the breakdown probably gave them the upper hand. Sadly bad handling from Chobham prevented them for making an impact on the game. Both teams were evenly matched and even when the hosts went down to fourteen following Bronson Larson’s yellow card following a high tackle on George Mcpherson on the half hour. Sadly Chobham were unable to take advantage of the extra player and the teams went in at half time without a score. The highlight of the half saw wing Noah Jenkins try saving tackle under the posts.
The second half saw a Church score a simple try from a central scrum 15 metres out. A couple of minutes later as Belsize Park ran back from the restart, a high tackle allowed Whinney to convert the penalty and take them 10 points ahead. 10 minutes into the second half a hands move to the left wing released Joe Mousley down the wing and after breaking two tackles he scored Chobhams first try of the day. Chobham started to put the pressure on and eventually newly married Nieem Khan crashed over to equal the scores.
As the game started to come alive the visitors started to up their game and from a ruck a Guy Mawhood break saw him pop to Mousley for his second try of the game. Two minutes later saw Parks best try of the day when they ran the ball from under their own 22 and centre Lewis scored a converted try under the posts to bring the teams even again. The last 10 minutes saw the hosts pressurising the Chobham line and were unable to convert it into points. What could have been the last of the play was a kick at the posts for Park, but Church pushed the kick wide. Debutee Woods ran the ball from behind Chobham’s line breaking three tackles out to their 22, as the ball went wide and a couple of breaks down saw Mousley pass to Sam Davies who crossed the line for the final converted try of the day. Chobham left Regents Park 24-17 victors and a 5 point win, they now sit in sixth a point behind their hosts.
Coach Chris Nicholas said after the game “Backing up last week’s performance with our first away win of the season in stunning fashion. 0-0 at half time against the wind with some impressive scramble defence was pleasing along with glimpses of our attacking threat, however handling errors gave up any try scoring opportunities. Going 10-0 down shortly after the break wasn’t quite on the plan but gave us the shock we needed. 17-17 with 2 minutes to go and Belsize miss a kick to win the game. What resulted was the best of Chobham showing attacking intent with pace and accuracy to claim our 5 point win. A huge result, and I’m incredibly proud of the effort by all! They say winning is a habit and who better to test ourselves than top of the table in our next fixture at home.”
Captain Guy Mawhood said “The first half was one for the purists, finishing 0-0. Considering we were going up hill into the wind first half, to hold out Belsize Park for the full 40 minutes, showed a huge credit to our defense. With 9 handling errors we were causing ourselves so many problems.
In the second half we came out of the blocks quickly and got on the front foot, scoring early. Some more excellent attack from our boys got us over the try line twice more.
However, some sloppy defence from us allowed Belsize Park back into the game and they scored a quick try. The scores were level and they had a chance to clutch the game in the last play with a penalty kick. Fortunately for us they missed the crucial kick at posts. The belief the boys showed right at the end to run the length of the field and score the winning try truly shows where this club is going. I couldn’t be more proud.
A special mention goes to the travelling Chobham support that travelled 4 hours to get to the game. A huge thank you”
Director of Rugby Harry Norman-Walker said “We travelled to Regents Park knowing we had a tough afternoon ahead, our young front row were scrum after scrum on the back foot, yet the whole pack worked hard to keep us in the game. For the second week our backs were a class above the opposition, excitingly our youngsters Davies, Jenkins and Woods make the future look bright. Our final try, running the ball from behind our own line to win was Chobham at its best. But credit has to go to the forwards for digging in and dominating the set piece from whistle to whistle. This is our first back to back win of the season and credit to the squad who’ve played so far this season.
Next week is a much needed break for us, we are looking forward to getting injured players back to strengthen our squad against top of the table Amersham & Chiltern on 14th October at Fowlers Wells. I’m so proud of the performance of the eighteen, the squads positive attitude and the numbers at training. This season is really starting to get exciting and we are showing to be a top half team.”
Starters: Elliot Bonner; Harvey Bowen; Joao Hames; Bruce Stewart; Sam Goddard; George McPherson; Harrison Jones; Dan Benton; Guy Mawhood; Adam Peever; Noah Jenkins; Nieem Khan; Sam Davies; Joe Mousley; John Rumsey.
Replacements: Dan Warren; Justin Rowland; Ieuan Woods.