Chiltern go top with bonus point win

Chiltern hadn’t played a league match since 9th February due to three teams crying off consecutively.

Due to what was at stake for both teams composure was always going to play a part and unfortunately for Drifters their winger lost his cool in the opening minutes and received a yellow card.
In this period Chiltern scored a penalty in front of the posts by Jamie Fenton and scored their first try; a well-worked team try finished in the right hand corner by winger Sam Litchfield. The conversion was missed.

With Drifters back to 15 men it was evenly matched with both teams trying to get field position in the opposition half but unable to capitalise further. A big credit to Amersham’s defence which was strong and organised and they did well to keep out Drifters until half time.

The Drifters supporters were unusually quiet and certainly weren’t used to being behind having been unbeaten all season.

HT 8-0

The second half both teams came out firing, trying to get the early advantage. Chiltern worked their way down field right up to the Drifters line pushing for their second try when the Drifters winger intercepted a loose pass and ran the length of the pitch to finish well in the corner. The conversion was missed.

The turning point came when Drifters got their second yellow card of the day after their front row made an illegal tackle. This took the scrums to uncontested and once again allowed Amersham to capitalise with the extra man advantage.

Amersham kept their composure and worked their way back into the Drifters 22; after a good set piece in the scrum and lineout the forwards mauled into the corner and Stuart Rogers went over to make the score 13-5.

Drifters never gave up but their heads seemed to drop and injuries began to create space for the home team. A great line from Neil Foster allowed him to dive over for Chilterns third try with 10 minutes remaining.

The final try came from persistent pressure and a lineout catch and drive was scored by captain Luke Donnebaum to give Chiltern the bonus point and send them top of the league.

FT 23-5

Well done to everyone involved on a great team performance.
There was more good news for the club as the 2xv and 4xv both won at home and 1xv getting a bonus point against league leaders London Irish Amatuers in National 3.

Man of the match was captain Luke Donnebaum for an all round great performance and leading the team to victory.

Chilterns next league game will be a tough one as they travel away to Witney for a re-arranged fixture.

Line up:
1 Nik Collison 2 Stuart Rogers 3 Matt Wall (pl) 4 Tom Collins 5 Luke Donnebaum (c) 6 Jonny Keen 7 Sam Rigby 8 Luke Antos 9 Michael Brothers 10 Jamie Fenton 11 Jack Freeman 12 Lewis Culverhouse 13 Neil Foster (vc) 14 Sam Litchfield 15 Scott Jarrold 16 Lewis Godfrey 17 Logan Miller 18 Guy Aikenhead

Tries:
Sam Litchfield, Stuart Rogers, Neil Foster, Luke Donnebaum

Penalty:
Jamie Fenton

Man of the Match:
Luke Donnebaum