Old Priorian RFC 1XV v Amersham & Chiltern RFC 1XV Saturday 4th November 2023

Old Priorian RFC 1XV – 9
Penalties – 3

Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV - 10
Tries - 1
Conversions -1
Penalties - 1

Half Time: 9 – 7

It’s always a great visit to the home of Old Priorian RFC. Always sides that are competing at the top of the league. Both teams with an undoubted focus on rugby. Both sides with plenty of ‘grow your own’ players, youthful and exciting in style and supporters who appreciate entirely the efforts made by players and officials involved within grass roots rugby.

This was match eagerly anticipated and in essence certainly didn’t disappoint.

We were undoubtedly blessed from above. With us all poised to build some arks we in fact turned up at the ground to find probably one of the best prepared pitches ever. It was even dry to the touch, firm, superbly marked and fitting of the Masters. All credit to ground staff.

We were also blessed with the presence of Dave Crimp who asked to run touch. Looking as good as always he tucked his trousers in his socks and ran that line with precision and integrity. No heckling by anyone – they wouldn’t dare and fine performance as our Touch Judge

I got to focus on the game in the hope I could provide more analysis and detail re the rugby. I don’t think there will be that detail I will though summarize as follows.

Strong start from a well-supported and sprightly OP side. Deserving of a 12 min penalty opportunity for some offside and an early 3 points on the board (3–0).

Chiltern came more into the game although even early on and some good rucking and line out pressure the Chiltern mistakes were mounting up. With no momentum really coming it wasn’t long (23 minutes) for OPs to secure another penalty for a high tackle and secure the 6 point lead (6–0).

Chiltern did then to crank up the gears. Our line out was solid and quite dominant with the OP front row struggling particularly with the positions of their elbows.

Our mistakes remained too plentiful. Frustratingly ending some decent spells of pressure and possession. With already most of the possession and on 40 minutes it was Dan Kingsley (stand-off) finishing off a well worked move allowing Ben Pothecary to convert for a well-deserved lead (6–7). Short-lived lead however with Ops securing another penalty just before half time to win the first half (9–7) Half Time.

In an intriguing second half it was Chiltern having most of the possession, similar frustrations from strong OP defence and a continuing feeling of it just not being A&C’s day.

There was a pattern: Chiltern pressure… mistake… Chiltern pressure… mistake.

Until on 72 minutes Alex Bower secured the winning penalty for a (9–10) win. It really wasn’t until the final play that OPs had a go towards our line.

Outstanding defence again by Chiltern. No tries conceded with kicking penalties being the only option. A&C playing and finding a way to win. Great and fair battle of rugby and a wonderful advert for all that can be achieved. Great Day!

This week: Another top of the table match-up with the visit to Weedon Lane of HAC (Honourable Artillery Company). TheTop team versus the 2nd placed team and both teams unbeaten with a dry sunlit day expected. Amersham will be the place to be seen. See you there.

Team:
1. Doug McGregor-Smith
2. Joe Batt
3. Charlie Swerling
4. Warwick South
5. Harry Bradshaw
6. Andrew Toole
7. Josh Finch (Captain)
8. Jordan Scott
9. Jack Kenyon
10. Dan Kingsley
11. James Lewis
12. Mackenzie South
13. Alex Bower
14. Bojan Cecaric
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Cameron Wilson
17. Chris Joyce
18. James Morrison