After the exciting back play which we have enjoyed over the last few matches against teams from the bottom half of the league, Chiltern met a “Top 4” team at Weedon Lane on Saturday and stood tall against a very competitive Thurrock XV. Chiltern ran out worthy winners after a gritty and professional display, which will have delighted Head Coach Richie Williams and coaches Peter Gibson and Jason Bowers, whose collective influence on our season is astonishing.

Whilst recent wins have been founded on verve and stylish play, this result was chiselled from passionate defence, organisation and steely resolve. Chiltern showed we are perfectly able to get down and do the dirty hard work as much as we are capable of scintillating back play.

The afternoon began with 30 seconds applause in memory of Jack Portland who sadly died over the Christmas holiday, having played for the minis, juniors, colts and senior teams over a 20 year period with great distinction; all three home teams and visitors stood together on the first team pitch before kick off in his honour.

Thurrock competed throughout the 80 minutes and constantly asked questions of the home team. They were badly disrupted by the loss of their classy and dangerous fullback after 15 minutes and a harsh yellow card for their hooker after 20 minutes.

Nevertheless, Chiltern responded to an early converted try from the visitors after some soft home tackling with a penalty kicked by Andy Fluker after 18 minutes. Shortly after Sam Portland crossed for an emotional score in the corner after a bulwarking run from No.8 Tom Blackburn and deft hands from full back Chris Jack. Ollie Choules replaced influential fly half Joe Butler on 35 minutes, the latter suffering a leg injury.

Just before half-time, Chiltern were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts within Thurrock’s 22. But rather than take the dead-cert 3 points, skipper Tom Grammenos chose a scrum. Chiltern had been dominating scrums, but still a brave and confident call which was rewarded with scrum half Andy Fluker’s darting run to score by the posts, which he converted to send the home team in 15-7 at the break.

Shortly after the resumation, winger George Wood ignited the home team with a fantastic break and score in the corner, after centre Josh Davies had scythed through the Thurrock midfield. Chiltern continued to turn the screw in the set piece and lineout where locks Ollie Cato and skipper Tom Grammenos were imperious. After prolonged encampment in the visitors 22, Ollie Choules showed remarkable dexterity to engage the whole defensive midfield before offloading in the tackle to flanker Jordan Scott who ran in by the posts for a try, converted by Andy Fluker for a 27-7 margin. The contributions of rotating props Alex Harland, Joe Winpenny and Lewis Edwards created a strong platform which the visitors were unable to match.

The match was then characterised by five minutes of disciplined, massive defence from Chiltern against a formidable Thurrock response. With flanker Andy Zair and hooker and man-of-the-match hooker Zane Turner making massive hits and turning ball over, the visitors riposte was repelled. On 72 minutes a huge hit from centre Aaron Doyle spilled loose ball for George Wood to collect 40 metres out, beat several defenders and dance over for a converted try under the posts.

Thurrock had time to come back with passion and score a deserved try at the end of the match to record a 34-14 win for Chiltern.

Next week we travel to West London for a stern test against a very classy CS Rugby squad who came within a pipsqueak of beating Chiltern at Weedon Lane in October. How we perform over the next month when we meet several teams at the top of the table will determine whether we are a formidable squad.

The afternoon was rounded off with emphatic wins for the 2nd XV against Witney and the 3rd XV demolition of Harpenden. These are exciting and fulfilling times at Weedon Lane. We should all enjoy them and applaud the players and support the administration for their courage and efforts.