View from the touchline from David Page, Director of Rugby :
Good afternoon and welcome to Fowlers Wells. Can I extend a special warm welcome to the Players, Coaching staff, Medical team and Alecadoo’s from our visitors today who have travelled up from darkest Cheam, a special greeting to Sutton & Epsom RFC. Today’s early kick off means no lunch, just brunch, mind you, any earlier and it could be breakfast.
This is a true top of the table clash with S&E taking over the top position following our narrow defeat at Havant. The league this season is turning into what can be described as a classic with anyone from half a dozen teams in with a shout. S&E have begun the season well and with 5 wins from 6 games the same record as Chobham but with additional bonus points, they have turned in a few solid performances, the latest a 41 point to 26 win over Tottonians, their only defeat coming at the hands of Sidcup – one of the ½ dozen previously mentioned.
Well much water has passed under many bridges since our last home game, England supporters went from drinking alone in a bar whilst the Welsh, Scots and Irish stormed into the RWC ¼ finals, and alas they now join us in the bar as all the Northern Hemisphere sides bow out and watch the Southern Hemisphere look to take spoils. Maybe the one unlucky side is Scotland and but for a terrible decision my Mr Joubert, they may still be waiting to reach the bar, although the speed in which Mr J ran from the field, I think he wanted to get to the bar first.
I think the home nations have much to learn and from where I stand the Home nations need to be more physical at the breakdown and use big hefty runners such as the Argies, Aussies and Kiwi’s. If all goes to form now, it will be a Wallaby v Kiwi battle for the Webb Ellis trophy. The team of the tournament for me were the Japanese and they will take much heart going forward when they host the RWC in 4 years’ time.
The next few weeks are big for Mighty Chobham, after a week of for the World cup final, Battle recommences on Saturday 7th November with the visit to Fowlers Wells of our great friends from Guildford, it will surely be a game in which sparks will fly and not for the feint hearted, Please make sure you limber up your voices and get the drums lubricated in preparation for Guildford.
The weeks after Guildford see the Chobham travelling to Charlton Park before entertaining a new side to the league Chiswick.
Whilst the 1st XV have been away from action, the Cannons have been keeping the end up and somewhere I saw a picture of a flying Chairman scoring a try. We have also seen our #Oneclub ethos continue with the Festivals that have taken place over the past couple of week, huge praise go to ALL the players involved and a big shout for the volunteers who make these festivals happen.
Can I put out another plea for player sponsorship, some of illustrious band of men are still available, please see Mike V if you wish to see your name alongside a 1st XV player.
Anyway that is all from ee today, good luck to both teams, but may Chobham win and make me happy.