Brentwood have enjoyed an excellent start and were sitting on top of the table before today’s match. Yet again the wind was a major factor in the game blowing straight down the pitch. Chiltern lost the toss, with Brentwood opting to play against the elements in the first half. Much as happened against North Walsham two weeks ago Chiltern then really didn’t capitalise on the wind’s benefit!

As both teams tried to settle, Chiltern went for a huge miss pass on the half way line. However the ball sailed over the players’ heads and into a grateful Brentwood’s players arms. Some very good interplay and strong running saw their centre cross unopposed for the first try which went unconverted.

Chiltern started to settle and win some possession and a good break saw them awarded a penalty in the Brentwood 22, which unfortunately was then reversed when Ted Reus took the law in to his own hands and was given a yellow card for his troubles! Brentwood cleared their lines but with the Chiltern pack dominating the scrums, a heel against the head led to Chiltern being awarded a penalty, kicked by Andy Fluker. A second infringement by Brentwood saw them receive a yellow card and concede another 3 points to Fluker’s boot. 6-5 to Chiltern but from the kick off Brentwood were awarded a penalty for obstruction. Some strong, driving forward play took them up to the Chiltern line and create space out wide for their second try, 6-10.

Chiltern were finally starting to make the wind count and Andy Fluker kicked two more penalties with another accomplished display of goal kicking. Perhaps the most decisive moment of the match however came late on in the half as Chiltern pressed hard. Some excellent interplay saw Joe Butler running at pace through the middle. Two sidesteps and the strength to break the final tackle saw him over the line for a try, again converted by Andy Fluker. 19-10 to Chiltern at half time but a feeling that it might not be enough of a lead against such a strong wind in the second half.

Brentwood started well and forced Chiltern into a couple of penalty errors, the second of which was kicked 19-13 and the pressure was really on. However, it seemed to galvanise Chiltern who then produced some of the finest rugby seen at Chiltern for years. Brentwood’s possession dried up as Chiltern took total control of the scrum, lineout and breakdown. Again and again they picked and drove. Backs and forwards retention of possession was quite outstanding and even against the wind huge gains in territorial terms were achieved.

Halfway through the half the forwards drove hard splintered the defence and Sam Portland was on hand to race over the line for Chltern’s second try, converted by Andy Fluker, 26-13. It was now a total shut out as Brentwood become more and more desperate. Still they couldn’t break through. Ollie Cato, Alex Harland and the rest of the pack were magnificent and as full time approached, a crunching tackle by George Wood saw the Brentwood centre spill the ball on halfway, George was on the ball in a flash. Off he went splitting the covering defence and sprinting clear and under the posts for the third try converted by Andy Fluker who enjoyed another 100% kicking afternoon!

This was a superb win against a big, tough, experienced side but Chiltern never took a step backwards and it would be invidious to single out individuals in an 18 man squad effort. Alex Harland won the Man of the Match award but in truth it could have gone to any of the other 17 guys in the squad.

The win takes Chiltern back to the top of table as Thurrock also lost. Next week is Letchworth away who will be no pushover. It will be so important to consolidate this victory unlike last week’s blip at Old Priorians!

Big thanks as well to Jason Bowers and Peter Gibson who looked after things so well in head coach Richie Williams’ enforced absence looking after his poorly partner Chloe.

Guys, much appreciate your hard work this week.

Match report by Charles Owen-Conway