3xv win in the last play of the game

Not necessarily the best performance of the season but certainly the best win and Chiltern left it until the last minute to secure the 4 points.

Both teams traded early penalties to make the score 3-3 after 10 minutes, the impressive Newbury fly half converting first and Phil John converting for the away team.

From the start it was clear that Chiltern had the edge in the scrum and this led to the first try; having driven the home team back it was Paul Sitzberger who picked up and scored. The conversion missed.

In a tight first half Chiltern were just ahead at the break.

HT 8-3

It was Newbury who struck first in the second half due to various penalties given away by Chiltern.

A quick tap penalty 5 metres out led to the Newbury back row scoring in the corner; even though the penalty wasn't taken from the mark and there was a clear double movement the referee gave the try regardless. The conversion was missed.

Still recovering from falling behind Chiltern were regathering when Newbury struck again scoring their second try to go 7 ahead. The conversion was missed.

With all of the rugby being played in the Chiltern half the pressure paid off and Newbury scored from a scrum making the score 15-8 to the home team.

Unfortunately Lewis Culverhouse broke his hand just after half time and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Into the final 10 minutes and it seemed the win was heading to the home team but with 7 points in it Chiltern kept believing they could at least draw the match.

The territory now switched into Newbury's half with Chiltern playing the rugby and with 5 minutes remaining Will Dent picked up from the back of the strong Chiltern scrum to crash over and make the score 13-15. Phil John held his nerve and converted a brilliant conversion from the corner to tie the game.

From the resulting kick off Newbury lost composure and their second row took out a Chiltern played in the air leading to a yellow card.

A good kick from Phil John gave Chiltern a line out inside the Newbury 22 which they caught and drove further towards the line.

Newbury on the back foot gave away a penalty and Chiltern rightly chose the scrum. Chiltern were then awarded a final penalty and with Newbury still trying to organise their defensive line it was captain Luke Donnebaum who took a quick tap penalty to drive over the line and secure the win in dramatic fashion.

A brilliant finish to a tough game and credit to both teams.

FT 20-15

Chiltern take a league break next week and then welcome Windsor to Weedon Lane the week after.

Line up:
1 Lewis Godfrey 2 Adam Cook 3 Harvey Gould 4 Luke Donnebaum (c) 5 Lee Morgan 6 Jack Claridge 7 Lewis Culverhouse 8 Will Dent 9 Paul Sitzberger 10 Ally Davidson (vc) 11 Sam Litchfield 12 Gus Pollard 13 Jack Davidson 14 Richard Gazzard 15 Phil John 16 Simon Thomas

Tries:
Paul Sitzberger
Will Dent
Luke Donnebaum

Conversions:
Phil John

Penalty:
Phil John

Man of the Match:
Sam Litchfield