Season 2008/2009
vs Oxford
Chiltern finished their league campaign with a comprehensive victory over 4th placed Oxford. Chiltern showed much more commitment in the tackle than in their previous outing, the addition of the hard hitting Grammenos making a big difference, the oxford tries coming not due to missed tackles but more because of slow defensive re-alignment by Chiltern. Danny Samuels in his first outing for the 1’s this season was a revelation at the breakdown, ably helped by McHugh who also scavenged for the ball effectively. Chiltern held the upper hand at the scrummage for the whole 80 minutes, Schrauwers scoring 2 tries from the base of the scrum. Tries were also added by Neale (2), Culverhouse (3) Samuels and kinsey, who also added 5 conversions.
Overall it was a much improved performance and a good showing ahead of the Bucks Shield Final against Phoenix at weedon lane next Saturday.
Team
Pettinger, McHugh, Powell, Reynolds, Bond, Samuels, Buller (Schrauwers), Grammenos (Murray), Fletcher, T.Smalley(Buckler), Neale, Culverhouse, Bugden, Wright, Kinsey
vs Swindon College Old Boys
Chiltern traveled to Swindon College Old Boys on Saturday to face a side whom had won their last 5 matches and were battling to avoid relegation from BBO premier. Chiltern scored tries through Lewis Culverhouse and 2 from Neil Foster, and 9 points from the boot of Kinsey but unfortunately this was not enough. The larger more aggressive Swindon side gave Chiltern problems for the whole 80 minutes, and Chiltern not managing to tackle players to the ground allowed Swindon to offload the ball out of the tackle and make inroads into the Chiltern defence, in particular close to the breakdown. Swindon deserved to win the game, and gave Chiltern a wake up call. Chiltern next face Oxford at home on the 18th on April, and will need to show significantly more desire if they are to avoid a similar fate.
Team
Pettinger, Murray (Shanks), Powell, Reynolds (Donnebaum), Bond, Smith, Buller, Schrauwers, Fletcher (Reus), Neale, Buckler, Culverhouse, Foster, L.Gilhooly, Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey 4.3.09
vs Abingdon
Chiltern gained promotion back to Southern Counties after a comprehensive victory over Abingdon at Weedon Lane. Chiltern played into strong wind in the first half and started well, scoring 2 tries in the first 10 minutes through the irrepressible Sam Rigby and the hirsute powerhouse Charlie Bond. A penalty stretched Chiltern's lead to 17-0 before abingdon struck back with a try in the corner following loose play from the chiltern backs. Chiltern then re-established their lead after Lewis Culverhouse drew in the abingdon defence and gifted Neil Foster with an easy run in.
After a stern talking to about over-complicating play at half-time, Chiltern dominated the scoring in the second half scoring a further 7 tries. Chris Jackson, replacing Culverhouse after 50 minutes, scored 2 tries in his 15 minutes in the game including a width of the pitch effort running around the outside of atleast 8 Abingdon players. Tom Fletcher, who had an outstanding game, scored a well earned and was a constant threat around the base of the breakdown. It was from one such break that he supplied Dan Kinsey with a try, and he was also involved in a try from Chris Wright after Petrus Yogi Schrauwers picked up from No.8 and drew in the Abingdon back row, passing to Fletcher who the gave the scoring pass to wright. Neil foster managed a 2nd try and the scoring was finished by Rigby after a break by Kinsey who offloaded out of the tackle. Kinsey managed 8/10 conversions. Cathal McHugh won a lot of ball against the head aided and abetted by Petinger and Powell in the front row. Joint men of the match were Fletcher and Rigby. The biggest cheer of the afternoon came at the arrival of Alan Simmons on the pitch, followed a close second by Kinsey managing to make the last conversion to make the score '69'.
Chiltern travel to Swindon College old boys next week and then face Oxford at home on the 18th of April before the final of the bucks shield at home against Phoenix on the 25th of April.
Team
Pettinger, McHugh, Powell, Reynolds, Bond, Rigby, Buller (Smith), Schrauwers, Fletcher, Kinsey, Buckler, Culverhouse (Jackson, Simmons), Foster, Wright, L.Gilhooly
vs Newbury Stags
Chiltern travelled to Newbury this weekend for a match that would effectively decide the BBO premier league title. Chiltern played with the conditions in the first half but spent most of the opening 15 minutes defending as Newbury started powerfully. Strong tackling by the entire Chiltern team kept Newbury from scoring, Chiltern only missing 1 tackle in the whole of the first half. When Chiltern started to use the conditions to their favour they managed to gain some territorial advantage and put pressure on Newbury. Chiltern dominated the scrum in the first half and competed well in the lineout, but struggled to penetrate the well organised Newbury defence. Chiltern took the lead with a 40m penalty kick from Kinsey, and then scored a try through Rob Smalley which was converted by Kinsey. A 10-0 lead at half time was useful, but Chiltern knew that they would be under pressure in the second half as Newbury would inevitably kick deep into the Chiltern half with the strong wind in their favour.
Chiltern managed to survive about 20 minutes without conceding any points until Newbury kicked a penalty and then followed this up quickly with a converted try. Newbury were now dominating the game and Chiltern were finding it very difficult to get out of their own half. 2 further tries from Newbury in the last 10 minutes of the match sealed a deserved victory for them, although Chiltern did rally towards the end of the game and exert some pressure of their own but the Newbury defence again passed the test. Despite losing, Chiltern only need to win 2 of their remaining 4 games to secure promotion back to Southern Counties North, and next face Harwell at Weedon Lane this Saturday.
Team
Allen (sub Pettinger), McHugh, Powell, Reynolds, C.Bond, Antos, Rigby (Schrauwers), Buller, Reus, R.Smalley (T.Smalley), Wright, Culverhouse, Foster, Neale, Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey - 7.3.09
vs Stow On The Wold
Chiltern travelled to the Cotswolds to face Stow last weekend. Chiltern took the early initiative through a Kinsey penalty but were soon behind after some sloppy defending and about 6 missed tackles in a row ended up with a try for Stow. Chiltern then snatched the lead back after a quickly taken penalty ended up with Dave Neale scoring in the corner, the conversion being missed by Kinsey. Birthday boy Lewis Culverhouse then scored an outstanding individual try mixing pace and power with some fast feet to go in from 50yds. Neil Foster added another try to his growing collection this season and the half was completed when Sam Rigby managed to reach out and ground the ball on the try line. Inbetween these tries Stow managed one of their own after stretching the Chiltern defence out wide to score in the corner. At half time the score was 29-12 to Chiltern.
Chiltern scored a further 3 tries in the second half through Reynolds, Wright and another for man of the match Neale following a superb chip and chase effort. Although Stow managed another try, and credit must go to them for never giving up and competing well at the breakdown throughout the match, the result was never in doubt. Pleasing performances came from Debutant Ted Reus at scrum half and also Dave Neale who had an absolute stormer on the wing. Luke Antos put in a number of large tackles although unfortunately managed to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin in the process and Lloyd Powell also put in a good showing having missed the last couple of matches.
Chiltern have a massive game this week when they travel to co-leaders Newbury Stags. KO is expected to be at 2.30pm in what is essentially a league title decider.
Team
Pettinger, Murray, Shanks, Reynolds, C.Bond, Antos, Rigby (Powell), Schrauwers, Reus, R.Smalley, Wright, Culverhouse, Foster (T.Smalley), Neale, Kinsey. Sub not used C.Gilhooly
Dan Kinsey 28.2.09
vs Phoenix
Chiltern hosted Phoenix in their first fixture for 4 weeks. Phoenix dominated the opening 20 minutes as unforced errors from Chiltern gave phoenix plenty of possession. The Phoenix line-out was functioning well and they came close to crossing the Chiltern line on a couple of occasions but strong committed tackling from Chiltern kept them at bay. Chiltern struggled in the scrum for large sections of the match, and perhaps stronger officiating at times would have prevented the scrum from having an action more consistent with that of a spinning top. However, once Chiltern managed to move the ball away from the set-piece they looked dangerous. Foster scored the first try after Gilhooly made inroads into the phoenix defence, and this was followed by a score for Wright in the corner. Both tries were converted by Kinsey.
The second half followed a similar pattern, and although Chiltern managed a further converted try by Antos after another break by Man of the Match Foster, and Phoenix kicked a penalty, Chiltern would be disappointed by their performance. Chiltern won without ever really getting out of 1st gear, and Phoenix certainly gave their all, and perhaps a few of the Chiltern players had their mind on their encounter with fellow leaders Newbury Stags in 2 weeks time. However Chiltern travel to Stow-on-the-Wold next Saturday, and will have to better this performance to continue their winning run.
Team
Pettinger (Shanks), McHugh, Allen, Reynolds, C.Bond, Antos, Buller (Rigby), Schrauwers, P.Sitzberger, R.Smalley, Wright, Culverhouse, Foster, L.Gilhooly (Cope), Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey - 21.2.09
vs Broadmoor Staff
Chiltern travelled to 3rd placed Broadmoor Staff on Saturday who were unbeaten at home for 2 years. Chiltern quickly discovered why this was as the large Broadmoor pack started strongly and Chiltern were 3 points down within the first few minutes. Chiltern then went on the attack and levelled the score with a penalty from the boot of Kinsey. Chiltern then scored a well worked try with slick handling in the backs, finished in the corner by Foster. Another try followed after a neat break from Rastelli supported by Rigby, this time with Ed Buller scoring under the posts, the extra points added by Kinsey. Another penalty for Broadmoor pegged Chiltern back, but then they extended their lead further with a converted try by LeMehaute. At Half-time the score was 22 – 6 and Chiltern looked comfortable.
The expected onslaught from broadmoor materialised early in the second half and after good work around the fringes they forced their way over the try line and the game was back on. However Chiltern upped their efforts and showed great spirit, managing to always maintain a lead of over a converted try. 3 converted tries from Foster in the second half and another penalty from Kinsey closed the game out and despite broadmoor scoring 4 tries in the second half Chiltern were deserved winners.
Special mention must go to Foster for scoring 4 tries and also the entire Chiltern pack who tackled for the whole 80 minutes and out their bodies on the line whenever required.
Chiltern host Wheatley at Weedon Lane next Saturday.
Team
Allen, McHugh, Powell, Reynolds (sub Antos), C.Bond, Rigby, Buller, Grammenos, Rastelli (sub Pettinger), R.Smalley, Bruce (sub P.Sitzberger), Culverhouse, Foster, LeMehaute, Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey 24.1.09
vs Drifters
Chiltern started 2009 with a 21-0 win against Drifters. Chiltern certainly didn’t play their best rugby, but did enough with tries through LeMehaute, Wright and Reynolds and 2 penalties from Kinsey. For most of the game Chiltern were their own worst enemy, conceding 30 penalties in total throughout the match, often when in good attacking position, and their discipline will need to improve if their winning run is to continue. Chiltern’s defence was stout throughout, and another victory with no points conceded is an encouraging sign.
The next match is away against Broadmoor Staff on the 24th of January, and Chiltern will need to be on top of their game if their winning form is to continue.
Team
Pettinger (sub Shanks), McHugh, Allen, Reynolds, C.Bond, Rigby, Buller, Grammenos, Rastelli (sub L.Gilhooly), R.Smalley, Wright, Culverhouse, Neale, LeMehaute, Kinsey. Sub not used Donnebaum
vs Gosford All Blacks
A rusty Chiltern travelled to Gosford All Blacks on Saturday, having not played a match for 3 weeks. This lack of match practice showed, as a number of handling errors at crucial times prevented Chiltern from scoring the points that perhaps their domination of possession and territory deserved. Rastelli opened the scoring with a try in the left corner, which was followed by a try from Culverhouse after good handling in the Chiltern backs. The Chiltern scrummage was dominating proceedings, but the strong Gosford defence kept Chiltern at bay. Chiltern were pushing the Gosford scrum back at a rate of knots, perhaps a bit too fast, as two opportunities for push-over tries went begging because of handling errors at the back of the scrum. Just before half time a Kinsey penalty was followed up by a good team try finished by Foster which was converted by Kinsey.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Chiltern scoring a further 2 tries from Allen and a push-over try by Schrauwers. Tough tackling from Gosford and Chiltern handling errors prevented further scores, but with another potential banana skin negotiated and fellow promotion hopefuls Newbury Stags losing this week, Chiltern go into Christmas 2nd in the table on points difference. Man of the Match was George Shanks who was a rock at tight head prop.
The next match is against Drifters at weedon lane on the 10th of January, and Chiltern will need to be on top of their game if their winning form is to continue.
Team
Allen, Murray, Shanks (sub Pettinger), Reynolds, C.Bond, Rigby, Smith, Donnebaum (sub Schrauwers), Rastelli, R.Smalley, Wright, Culverhouse, Foster, Jackson (sub Neale), Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey 20.12.08
vs Oxford
Chiltern travelled to 3rd placed Oxford on Saturday expecting a tough match from fellow promotion candidates. Chiltern started strongly and were quickly ahead. Numerous indiscretions at the break down by an enthusiastic Oxford pack led to 4 penalties from the boot of Kinsey. LeMehaute then went over for a well taken try, which was followed up by a quickly taken penalty by scrum half Rastelli and good hands from Culverhouse and Bond putting LeMehaute over for another try. Both were converted. Just before half time, good play between Culverhouse and Foster in the centre enabled man of the match Darren Smith to cross over in the corner for his first try for the 1stXV. Chiltern had completely dominated all facets of the game for the whole half and deservedly were 31-0 ahead.
Early in the second half Chiltern scored another try from Foster, which was followed by Oxford spending 25 minutes camped inside the Chiltern half. That it took them this length of time to cross the Chiltern line is testament to the tough tackling from the whole Chiltern team who to a man put their bodies on the line. For most of this period Chiltern were down to 14 men as both Foster and Smith took turns for a rest in the sin bin. Chiltern finished the game with another try, Allen going over in the corner after good play from Reynolds around the edge of a ruck. Chiltern displayed all facets of their game from solid set piece work, hard tackling and scything attacking runs, and if they can do this with regularity for the rest of the season then surely more successes will follow.
Chiltern host Swindon College at Weedon Lane this Saturday.
Team
Allen, McHugh, Powell (sub Murray), Reynolds, C.Bond, Rigby (sub Pettinger), Smith, Donnebaum, Rastelli, R.Smalley (sub Wright), LeMehaute, Culverhouse, Foster, Moutray, Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey 29.11.08
vs Gosford All Blacks
Chiltern took on Gosford All Blacks at Weedon Lane last Saturday. 3 tries in the first half from Tom LeMehaute, Rob Smalley and John Moutray, and 7 points from the boot of Dan Kinsey put Chiltern firmly in control at half time. Despite the scoreline, Gosford did trouble Chiltern, but their defence held firm with tough tackling in particular from Charlie Bond and Tom Grammenos.
Chiltern started the second half strongly and 4 converted tries in the opening 15 minutes from Bond, Neil Foster, LeMehaute and Luke Donnebaum ended the game as a contest. Unfortunately at this point Chiltern changed down a few gears and played the rest of the game at a canter. They did manage 2 more tries, 1 from Foster and then the first of surely many 1st XV tries for Ally Bruce. Some of the continuity play will have been pleasing for Player Coach Matt Allen to see, as would have been a sublime roll through contact from tight head prop Lloyd Powell, all taken from the training ground over the last few weeks.
Chiltern have no game this week but face a tough away trip to 3rd placed Oxford in 2 weeks time.
Team
Allen, McHugh, Powell, Reynolds (sub Pettinger), C.Bond, Donnebaum (sub Rigby), L.Antos, Grammenos, P.Sitzberger, R.Smalley, LeMehaute, Culverhouse (sub Bruce), Foster, Moutray, Kinsey.
Dan Kinsey 15.11.08
vs Drifters
Chiltern travelled to drifters this week with high hopes following last weeks mature performance. Unfortunately it appeared this form had been left behind at weedon lane, and a series of errors led to Drifters quickly taking the lead with a penalty. Good pressure from the Chiltern pack at the re-start forced Drifters to turn the ball over and only an infringement at the following ruck prevented a Chiltern try, but the scores were levelled by the boot of Kinsey. Further pressure from Chiltern resulted in a break from LeMehaute who passed out of the tackle to Rob Smalley who went over for the first try which was converted by Kinsey, who kicked another penalty before half time to make the score 3-13.
Another penalty made the score 3-16 and Chiltern were now dominating, particularly at the scrum. With the drifters pack beginning to look ragged, Chiltern continued to pile on the pressure. With Chiltern looking like they might run away with the game, Drifters after having lost 2 front row players to injury, were unable to continue in the scrums. The game thus went to uncontested scrums which gave the drifters pack respite and completely changed the tempo of the game. A drifters penalty and then a break away try after poor handling from the Chiltern backs meant there was only 5 points between the teams. This did not last for long as Moutray went over for a try after a well worked blind side move after a scrum.
Despite another win, Chiltern know they will need to improve on this performance if their aspirations of promotion are to be realised. They looked frantic at times with ball in hand and often tried to do too much as individuals, only showing brief glimpses of the expansive game they are capable of playing. However, that they can play poorly and still win is a positive sign, and a reflection of the strong team spirit Chiltern are building.
Next Saturday Chiltern face Gosford All Blacks at Weedon Lane
Team
Allen, McHugh, Powell, C.Gilhooly (sub Reynolds), C.Bond, Rigby, L.Antos, Grammenos, Rastelli (sub Murray), R.Smalley, LeMehaute, Culverhouse, Cope (sub Bruce), Moutray, Kinsey.
vs Broadmoor Staff
Chiltern hosted broadmoor staff at weedon lane in wet and very windy conditions last Saturday.
Broadmoor won the toss and decided to play into the weather in the first half. Straight from the kick off Chiltern pressurised broadmoor, pinning them back into their own 22 at every opportunity. Some poor kicking options and handling errors by Broadmoor were punished by Chiltern, resulting in a try in the corner for Tom LeMehaute after 5 minutes and then after 10 minutes another try by Fly-Half Rob Smalley which was converted by Kinsey. Chiltern now started to move up the gears and played some of their best rugby so far this season. Another flowing move resulted in Sam Rigby being tackled 2 metres short of the try line, only to pop the ball up to Colm Gilhooly who, to the surprise of everyone, himself included, managed to score his first try in 15 seasons of rugby for Chiltern. Another 2 conversions from Kinsey and a second try from Smalley made the score 26-0 and Chiltern were now in complete control. However a brief lapse of concentration from Chiltern led to a clearance kick being charged down, a broadmoor player being the first to react and going over unopposed for an unconverted try. Chiltern answered quickly with a try from Neil foster, who out-sprinted his opposite number to score in the corner which was converted by Kinsey.
In The second half it was broadmoors turn to have the advantage of the strong wind, and it was now Chilterns turn to defend. This they did for 14 minutes before Broadmoor managed to score a try, their muscular prop taking a short ball off the edge of a ruck and going over although their was a suggestion he had jumped over the Chiltern tackles. Chiltern then showed their growing maturity as a team and effectively killed the game, keeping possession well and forcing broadmoor to infringe at the breakdown which allowed them to gain more territory. Rob Smalley had his best game of the season so far, directing play with a maturity far beyond his 20 years, and Nic Rastelli also had a commanding game at Scrum Half. Chiltern’s back row again put in a solid performance, and hooker Cathal Mchugh coped well with the strong wind in the lineout and made a nuisance of himself around the park, but man of the match went to Colm Gilhooly for his try and a dominant performance in the lineout.
Next Saturday Chiltern face another tough match away at Drifters.
Team
Allen (sub Murray), McHugh, Powell, C.Gilhooly, C.Bond, Rigby (sub Reynolds), L.Antos, Grammenos, Rastelli, R.Smalley, LeMehaute, Culverhouse, Foster, Moutray, Kinsey. Sub not used Crawford.
Dan Kinsey 1.11.08
vs Wheatley
Chiltern romped home with a 15 try victory against bottom of the league Wheatley. Tries came through Rigby(3), LeMehaute(3), Kinsey(2), Cope(2), Allen(2), Foster(2) and Reynolds(1). Despite the score wheatley never gave up and in particular their no.13 tackled well throughout the game, and for 10 minute periods in both halves they threatened the chiltern line, although the penalty that wheatley converted was actually pushed past the outside of the upright by the stong wind....
Of note Colm Gilhooly still has not scored a try for amersham and chiltern despite having played for the club since he was a junior, unfortunatley today having to go off injured after 5 minutes of coming on as a replacement.
Chiltern face broadmoor staff and drifters in the next 2 weeks and will need to be on top of their game to maintain their current run of victories.
Dan Kinsey 25.10.08
vs Stow on the Wold 1st XV
Chiltern continued their recent good form with a convincing victory against Stow on the Wold at Weedon Lane on Saturday. Chiltern opened the scoring with a penalty from Kinsey which was quickly followed by a try from Antos following good offloads out of tackles from Foster and then Kinsey. The game then followed the pattern of most of chiltern’s matches this season – Chiltern allowing the opposition back into the game by giving away too many penalties. Stow took 2 such opportunities and were back in the game. Chiltern then rallied and started to dominate all aspects of the game, further pressure leading to another 3 points from the boot of Kinsey and then Sam Rigby forced his way over for a try in the corner which was converted. Stow kicked another penalty before half time, Chiltern leading 20-9 at the break.
Chiltern started the second half strongly and scored 3 tries in the first 15 minutes through Foster, Cope and Smalley. Strong running from the loose forwards and centres meant Chiltern continually got behind a tiring stow defence and threatened constantly. Had the execution at times been crisper Chiltern may well have scored more points. Both props Allen and Powell carried the ball well around the fringes which then allowed Chiltern to move the ball to open space on the wings leading to another 2 tries scored by Reynolds and an 80 metre break from foster.
Chiltern have a rest next week before a trip to bottom of the league Wheatley in 2 weeks time.
vs Phoenix
Chiltern travelled to Phoenix looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to Newbury last weekend.
Chiltern played the first half into the wind, and started strongly. 2 penalties from captain Kinsey gave chiltern a 6-0 lead as chilts dominated the early exchanges. Quick ruck ball secured by the athletic chiltern back row in the middle of the pitch led to the ball being moved wide with Culverhouse going over in the corner. At 11-0 up, unfortunately chilts decided the job was done and allowed phoenix to dominate territory and possesion for the rest of the half, but resolute defence from chiltern meant phoenix were unable to cross their line and only managed a penalty. Then just before half time chiltern marched down the pitch resulting in Luke Antos rampaging through atleast 4 tackles to score under the posts, which was duly converted.
18-3 at half time and now playing with the wind, Chiltern fancied their chances of running up a few more points in the second half. Further tries for Culverhouse and Schrauwers meant chiltern were comfortable victors. A combination of belligerent defence from phoenix and too many penalties given away by chiltern meant the score was closer than perhaps it could have been, although had the game been allowed to flow more this would also have worked to chiltern's advantage.
There were notable performances from Powell in the front row who not only caused havoc in the scrummage but also contributed well in the loose, and also the entire chiltern back row. Next week Chiltern host Stow at weedon lane.
Team
1 Allen, 2 Murray, 3 Powell, 4 C.Gilhooly, 5 C.Bond, 6 Rigby, 7 L.Antos, 8 Grammenos, 9 P.Sitzberger, 10 R.Smalley, 11 C.Griffiths, 12 Culverhouse, 13 Arnot, 14 Buckler, 15 Kinsey (capt), 16 McHugh, 17 Schrauwers, 18 Foster
vs Harwell
Chiltern travelled to Harwell on saturday looking to continue their good start to the season. Perhaps slightly overconfident, chilts went 8-0 down after 10 minutes due to some sloppy play allowing the harwell winger to go in unopposed on the blind side of a ruck. Chiltern also gave away far too many penalties and must address this soon as tougher opponents will punish these indiscretions. Despite this, chiltern proved too strong for their opponents and scored 8 tries in all. Debutant David Arnot had a good game as did centre partner Lewis Culverhouse. However man of the match was definately Tom Smalley, who in only his 3rd game of senior rugby controlled the game from the outset, kicked intelligently and skillfully, and distributed the ball well to the outside backs whenever the opportunity was there.
Next saturday sees newbury stags coming to weedon lane, a team who beat Chiltern twice last season. This will be a much tougher test and provide an indication of how much Chiltern have improved from last season.
Dan Kinsey 20.9.08
vs Abingdon
Chiltern started their BBO premier stay with a 51-3 win at Abingdon. 4 tries from fly half Rob Smalley and tries from Lewis Culverhouse, debutant James Cope and Dan kinsey secured an opening victory. The score could have been more had chilts been less enthusiastic at the breakdown and given away less penalties in the process (and also had Kinsey not hit the post twice with conversions.....and maybe if colm gilhooly had chipped in with a try). Whenever chiltern got the ball wide they looked dangerous, and superior fitness led to Chilts running away with the game in the second half. Despite a resounding victory, chiltern can and will improve from this performance and look forward to another away encounter next weekend at Harwell.
Dan Kinsey 13.9.08
vs Old Richians
Chiltern travelled to Gloucester outfit Old Richians in the first round of the EDF vase. With chiltern fielding 7 players on debut, and Old Richians finishing 3rd in their league last year, it was important that chiltern started well. This they did not, giving the ball away almost straight from the kick off resulting in Old Richians moving the ball well to the opposite wing and scoring a converted try. The chiltern of last season at this point may have wilted, but this is a new team with renewed passion for the game. From the restart chiltern applied pressure resulting in a penalty just outside the opposition 22 which was duly converted. The Chiltern pack fought hard throughout and were never really on the back foot, but old richians looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball through their speedy backs, resulting in another try before half time. Each side also kicked a penalty. In the second half chiltern had more territory and possesion than their opponents but were unable to break down the resolute defence of Old Richians, who scored another converted try through their backs, and were deserved winners of the game.
Chilterns 2 outings so far this season show signs of great promise, and they are certainly a rejuvenated outfit compared to last season. But with the first league fixture this saturday away at Abingdon, time is fast approaching for this young side to start to realise their potential and own expectations.
Dan Kinsey 7.9.08