Huel Tring 1XV RFC: 43
Amersham and Chiltern RFC: 31

Half-time: 19-12

Way, way back, many centuries ago, not long after the bible began (no not that song!) it was the norm apparently to make pies and fill them with live birds to surprise those who cut into them and serve them.

And so it was to be that our 1st team once again graced the Tring turf during our long awaited return to Cow Lane (beef pie), there was always a chance that A&C could produce a ‘surprise’ and even defeat a well-established Level 5 side like Tring.

To give us a chance we travelled with quite an impressive travelling support of all shapes, sizes and age. They were spread around the natural amphitheater, that is Cow Lane and had plenty of cheer mixed with a few sighs throughout what was a very engaging and highly competitive match.

The Tring crowd were a tad slow in warming up, raising a loud cheer for their own boys and must have been preserving their energy for later on rather than for the arrival of Chiltern.

There was a tension in the air, which was increased on 11 mins after kick off, when Joe Batt fin-ished an excellent Chiltern forwards move with a well-deserved opening Chiltern try (0-5).

Tring though responded immediately with some good territory gained from a good kick resulting in a try in the corner in response (5-5).

After 30 minutes and after some end to end probing it was Tring again showing their level 5 pedi-gree with a well taken converted try (12-5). I think there was then an expectation that Tring would pull away. Not a chance!

It was our try scoring stalwart Jordan Scott ‘pouching the pill’ from a maul and going over the line confidently to ensure parity at 12-12.

Just to keep matters bubbling though and all credit to Tring they then finished the half with an-other maul related converted try.

Half Time: 19-12

Yet again it was one of those ‘we need the next score’ moments. Would we, or wouldn’t we? Well, we didn’t :( and in one of the jammiest moments of rugby there was some mis-judgements in both attack and defense leading to a kick charge down and an easy touch down try and successful conversion for Tring (26-12). A defining moment, I think.

Then on 56 minutes in was plucky wee Tim Hayes taking on the Tring defense and bundling him-self over the line for a great response and a cut into the deficit with a sound conversion (26-19). An immediate response from Tring after some Chiltern carelessness meant again the gap was widened (33-19).

For a bit of variety Tring then kicked a penalty (36-19) before on 72 minutes scoring their final try of the day and conversion (43-19).

Deservedly though it was A&C finishing in some style with excellent discipline and 2 further tries - one converted to ensure an entirely respectable (43-31 finish).

No Cow Lane surprise but another gold star bagged for the Chiltern Cherubs and a wee 9th place in the gang of 12 going into match 4 in the Big Brother House.

Man of the Match: Undoubtedly Mike Everett. He tackled like a demon and shone like a light-house gently guiding ships in on a foggy night. Thoughts are very much with Kasper Struger, one of our 2 Romanian Internationals, suffering a dislocated shoulder after a tackle on a pretty firm field of dreams. I hear, hopefully, no aggravating factors and an expected speedy recovery.

Some great hospitality followed with some Tring local nectar being downed on a sunny Hertford-shire evening.

Next week: It’s plant pots and compost at the ready to welcome the gardeners of Letchworth Garden City.
Although a team we traditionally beat by all accounts they have developed into an impressive top of the league outfit .

See you there.

Team:

1. Razvan Dranca
2. Joe Batt
3. Charlie Swerling
4. Harry Bradshaw
5. Jacques O’Driscoll
6. Jordan Scott
7. Mike Everett
8. Kazeem Olayinka
9. Alex Bower
10. Ben Harris
11. Kasper Struger
12. Aaron Lewis
13. Dan Kingsley (C)
14. Noah Jarvis
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Doug McGregor-Smith
17. Chris Joyce
18. Tim Hayes