The excellent and patient coaching invested by Head Coach Richie Williams, Jason Bowers and Peter Gibson over the last 18 months is bearing fruit at Weedon Lane. Chiltern put a fine performance together scoring 13 tries, 7 for the backs and 6 from the forwards, in an all round display of disciplined and accurate rugby, to remain top of the league going into the Christmas break.

The first 10 minutes set the tone for the match. Chiltern received the kick off, controlled four or five fast paced phases and a storming break from lock Dean MacLennan ended with fly half Joe Butler scoring under the posts after 2 minutes, converted by Andy Fluker, before Chingford had touched the ball.

The visitors responded with a try out wide after an interception took them most of the length of the field which stung Chiltern into a steely resolve. Wing Sam Portland scored twice by the 12th minute, both converted by Andy Fluker, after great hands from Chris Jack and Aaron Doyle in the centre.

Flanker Andy Zair created space for hooker Zane Turner to crash over on 22 minutes. Chris Jack scored after a kick return from skipper Tom Grammenos tied up the covering defence, and a fabulous offload in the tackle by Sam Portland. A penalty try followed with the visitors infringing to frustrate a pushover try from a dominant Chiltern pack in which Ollie Cato and tight head Lewis Edwards were outstanding. Sam Portland wrapped up his first half hatrick with a try right in the corner; Andy Fluker got fed up waiting for the kicking tee to arrive so calmly drop-kicked the conversion from the touchline, judging the strong wind superbly. Chiltern went in leading 45 -5 at half time.

The pace and control which was a feature of the first 40 minutes was repeated throughout the second half. A pick and go from No8 Tom Blackburn, Truffles, delighted the crowd after his 15 month injury lay off; and man of the match Jordan Scott crashed over on 49 minutes.

Injuries forced uncontested scrums and from one scrum half Ted Reus fed Sam Portland for his fourth try. Prop Joe Winpenny broke through the Chingford defence to score a well deserved try under the posts on the hour, Tom Blackburn scored his second, and finally Joe Butler scored his second after wonderful interplay again between centres Aaron Doyle and Chris Jack.

19 year old Ollie Choules was introduced at fly half after 35 minutes and played with guile, scoring 5 conversions, marshalled the team going forward and maintained our cohesion using intelligent options.

This was a comprehensive win. Despite the free scoring, Chiltern remained honest to their game plan, work rate and concentration which bodes well for the sterner tests ahead in January and February.

Ted Reus is maturing at scrum half with very good decision making and fly half Joe Butler directs our game with intelligence to release a pacy and inventive backline. Our foundations are laid by a hardworking and savvy pack where a mix of bullish aggression from Zane Turner, Jordan Scott and Alex Harland knits with the nous of experienced heads of Tom Grammenos, Andy Zair and Joe Winpenny.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and roll on Saturday 9 January for Chiltern’s next match, away at bottom of the table Luton.