Impressive first win despite the injuries

Facing a huge challenge following a spate of injuries both pre-season and indeed midweek, the team suffered a double blow before kick-off when star forwards Jono Bradbury and Tom Grammenos, due to lead the side for the first time in the absence of skipper Craig Webb, had to drop out with injuries.

This was a tough ask for any team but fortune favours the brave and in a scrappy game the Amersham side accepted the challenge and took the game to the home team from the kick off with Chris Jack in rampaging form from full back. Both teams traded early penalties before Avonmouth scored from broken play. Ollie Cato then went over for Chiltern after tremendous driving from the forwards, David Hughes kicked the extras and then added a penalty to move the visitors 13-8 ahead at the break.

Chiltern kept up the pressure and ten minutes into the second half Ash Wright hacked through and won the touchdown to take the team to a 20-8 lead. Chiltern had limited options on the bench as Avonmouth brought on fresh legs and soon reduced the deficit with two converted tries to move 22-20 ahead. By now Chiltern had lost prop James Schofield who had scrummaged heroically, and Neil Foster, returning from major injury was on to shore up the backs.

Avonmouth looked to be holding out until Chiltern got a crucial penalty in the 39th minute, coolly slotted by David Hughes, who didn’t miss a kick all day. Some of the performances, especially from the youngsters in the pack, were fantastic. The team duly held out and took the game by one point, an outstanding result and a welcome first win of the new season.