After the President’s Luncheon, the 130 guests joined another 100 spectators to witness Chiltern demolish a very capable OPs side and thus gain full revenge for an earlier season loss.

The weather was lovely and the pitch made for running rugby and despite losing skipper Tom Grammenos to a calf strain late in the week, Chiltern went off with a bang. After just 3 minutes, lineout on OP’s 22, catch and drive for a try wide out for Gareth Wehrle beautifully converted by Andy Fluker, 7-0.

Then followed a frustrating period where Chiltern just could not come to terms with the ref’s law interpretations. Penalty followed penalty and despite Chiltern dominating play it enabled OPs to regain the ground lost to Chiltern’s running skills. After 30 minutes order was finally restored as Chiltern almost stopped competing at the breakdown and hardly dared to push in the scrums. They stood off and decided to play only when the ball was safely in their hands. Immediately it paid dividends as Dave Francis made a searing break after a lovely pop pass from Joe Butler, he had the strength and speed to get to the line for the second try again converted by Andy Fluker, 14-0.

Now in total command Dave Francis was again on hand to take the final pass for Chiltern’s third try successfully converted by Fluker, 21-0. With time running out Chiltern inter-passed their way for most of the length of the pitch and when finally stopped, the forwards drove on again for the 4th and bonus point try. In the melee of bodies, Zane Turner scored and Chiltern went into half time 26-0 ahead and the bonus point was theirs.

After half time OPs enjoyed an excellent spell as Chiltern rather went to sleep and some first class running combined with several missed tackles saw OPs cut the deficit to 26-14!

Enough was enough and Chiltern now went into overdrive. A rampant scrum destroyed the opposition and with the referee now alive to Chiltern’s dominance, Tom Blackburn went over for the 5th try. Despite yellow cards for both sides Chiltern’s fitness was evident and the backs finally got in on the act and Philip Blake was on hand to cross the line for his first try converted by Fluker. Straight from the kick off, OPs spilt the ball from the ruck and Tom Blackburn picked up just inside the OPs half. OPs full back was up in the line so Truffles put his head back and went for the line, 50 metres later he dived over triumphantly!

4 minutes later and with Chiltern in complete control, OPs were forced to concede several penalties. Chiltern took a series of scrums. As they drove over the line and with Tom Blackburn diving over the line for his hat trick it was suddenly apparent that the referee had decided that a penalty try was more appropriate! Tom’s face was a picture but the try was converted and Chiltern were over 50 points.

We then had the try of the game. Joe Butler made a break from his own half. Beating several would be tacklers he raced into the OPs half, where, realising he wouldn’t get to the line himself, he put a beautifully weighted kick into the 22 where Philip Blake running in support beat the last defender and took the ball as it bounced up and he crossed for the 9th try converted by Fluker.

It only remained for one last break and an offload to returning Everest climber Sam Portland to touch down for the 10th and final try under the posts. Inexplicably, Andy Fluker decide to drop kick the conversion and somehow managed to miss the posts!!

Never mind it was a hugely satisfying win, keeping the team top of the league and in good fettle for the difficult trip to Brentwood next week. Brentwood are third in the league and looked a very capable side when they visited Weedon Lane earlier in the season. A win is a must as Tring kept up the pressure by securing a bonus point win themselves!!

Three games to go and oh so tight… all support will be hugely appreciated next week to roar the boys on.