London Cornish RFC 1XV: 26
Tries: 4
Conversions: 3

Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV: 24
Tries: 4
Conversions: 2

Half Time: 19-14

It’s always a warm welcome, at the home of London Cornish RFC. With ‘apres-rugby’ pasties to savour washed down with a wee glass of scrumpy, your always assured of some great company, a sing song and a memorable day.

Spookily it really did seem like a wee bit of Cornwall, with some casual water on the pitch and sea gulls swimming whilst other eyed up some of the ice creams and chips amongst the watching public. I could have been at Padstow minus the dog walkers.

Always a potential banana skin, especially following our league opener at home (2 point victory) it was always safe to assume there would be a determined intent to ‘knock us off our stot’ – as my father would say. The Cornish were never going to disappoint.

Starting with a dominant opening spell from the home side, it was in fact A&C setting down an early marker as Kieran Booth, with a superb catch and drive, from an attacking line out after only 3 minutes scored a try in the corner. With Tom Fawssett then stepping up, with a low level Exocet missile style kick, just high and straight enough to pass between the posts (0-7).

We then saw Kieran dislocate his shoulder, but Cornish were far from discouraged and in all honesty, I think we just made them angry up until half time. Chiltern then had to ensure a spell of gutsy attacking rucks as Cornish relished both sides apparent flawless play at the breakdowns. It was an area throughout the game where there was little referee intervention. Of course, both sets of players, I’m sure, had been practicing.

With 3 unanswered tries from Cornish, 2 of which were converted, they had well-earned a (19–7) lead. Just prior to the half-time whistle, Jordan Scott made things a little more interesting with a well-executed and converted try in reply under the posts.

Half Time: 19-14.

The match was then soon levelled at 19-19 when again Jordan went on a galloping run and scored a further try (unconverted).

On 65 minutes Cornish again rucked well maximising the lead (26–19). Noah Jarvis looked to have then scored a further and well-deserved try near to the posts, although decreed held up by a referee checking ‘from the other side’.

I’m sure there was no shenanigans in the seconds following. (26 -26) would have made a very interesting ending especially with the final try being nailed by Tom Fawssett although the conversion missed.

The narrowest of defeats on a day when Cornish just about deserved their win. All to play for again next season.

Highlights:

• Jordan Scott: outstanding at No8 – absolutely relentless in attack and defence.
• Louis Bailey: pre-Twickenham visit and superb throughout.
Mrs Bailey too for lending him to us xx
• Dave Cole: Hooker stepping up and throws pretty straight
• Conor Segre: penetrating attacks especially in the 2nd half
• Noah Jarvis: many say try scorer
• Kieran Booth: Great try! Before injury. Car superbly driven back to the club whilst
receiving hospital treatment. Shoulder back in and seen quickly at Stoke Mandeville.
Thanks to wonderful Jacques O’Driscoll for hospital liaison. Shoulder put back in and
recovery underway.
• Andrew Toole: again substitute prop holding the line with distinction.
Alongside Mrs Toole who always has a big smile on her face
• Warwick South: for covering 2nd row with distinction although constrained a little from
his usual back row romps.

Quote of the day: ‘Cornish were always going to be up for this one. Probably too focussed on post-match pasties, after a superb Hammersmith double. Back to winning ways for the last game of the season we hope’ – A young English teenager wearing an England rugby top on the way to Twickenham – A tough day at the office then!!

Next Week: Our final hurrah as we welcome the Old Hab Dabs to Ash Grove. After a very narrow defeat earlier in the season this is the ideal opportunity to get back on the horse and ride to victory and runners-up spot in the league. Weather set fair so be there or be square.

Team:

1. Andrew Toole
2. Dave Cole
3. Louis Bailey
4. Keiran Booth
5. Will Drewett
6. Warwick South
7. Josh Finch ©
8. Jordan Scott
9. Conor Segre
10. Dan Kingsley
11. Tom Fawssett
12. Ben Pothecary
13. Noah Jarvis
14. Alex Bower
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Cameron Wilson
17. Michael Everett
18. James Morrison