For much of the second half Chiltern defended resolutely and attacked with verve and passion scoring two converted tries without reply. The previous hour was a mixture of over complication and poor handling from Chiltern although East Grinstead were as good as a side as we have played this season and they finished the first half 0-29 in front, the score an accurate reflection. Their giant second row and excellent back row were a real handful but given Chiltern’s clear ability to compete as seen in the second half, their first half sloppiness was so frustrating.

Chiltern conceded the customary soft try in the first five minutes, then began to compete in the loose and especially the tight where the front five gave the visitors several shoves backwards. The rest of the first half was one-way traffic with East Grinstead looking after the ball, wisely disrupting the set scrum, going through their phases, probing up front and alternately on each flank. They had their four try bonus point on the half hour, each score well crafted with pacey precision.

Just as we began to generate some more momentum at the end of the half, Zane Turner left the field with a bad migraine which again disrupted our front row - Joe Winpenny stood in manfully at hooker - and East Grinstead scored a fine counter attacking try in the last play before half time to put the game realistically beyond us.

With decent performances from the Chiltern midfield, where Joe Butler, Philip Blake and Jonny Hughes were all strong and inventive and the encouraging sight of Sam Portland and Chris Jack galloping into space more often than they’ve done for many matches, we began to show up on the hour.

On 65 minutes, Dean MacLennan crashed after excellent approach work by Ollie Cato and Andy Zair for a try, converted from wide out by Morgan Thompson. Morgan then scored and converted himself under the posts after a great line from Philip Blake split the visitor’s defence.

Ryan Greenstreet made his First XV debut on 60 minutes with significant contributions in both defence and attack which augers well for the future. Great also to see Lewis Edwards have a strong cameo at tight-head prop when he came off the bench, his first outing this season after a nasty pre-season injury.

Amersham & Chiltern travel to Chichester in a fortnight for another must-win game if they want to stay at this level.

Match report by Spike Stevens