We went beyond Sangria and the park on Saturday night. Such a fitting song and lyrics for a day that was perfect for, not just our first win of the season, but also for a good hard-fought victory, free of wind and rain, but fortunately with a healthy crackling of fire.

7th V 12th on paper although to the anxious spectators of both sides it was A&C in their centenary red and white who were supplying the dynamite from the off.

In the 10th minute and after some good A&C pressure it was Shelford showing their first bout of indiscipline, allowing Tom Fawssett to slot a close-range penalty. (3 - 0). Chiltern were good for their lead and then enjoyed a sustained period of pressure, looking dominant with ball in hand.

Both sides looked solid in defense with both sides well drilled in set play. As time passed though Chiltern always looked like the most likely to score and so then when Dan Kingsley cut through and finished an excellent backs move an 8 - 0 lead was well deserved with an expectation of more!!

On the 36th minute Shelford seemed to forget their minibus trip and there were now definite signs of their more traditional ‘peacock tail’ display. Out of the blue they collected a poor clearing kick only for their wee winger to run speedily past a few tiring Chilts, setting up colleagues to score under the posts.

Easily converted for what was a flattering 8-7 score. The scoring then stopped but there was just time for Big Tom to stroke another penalty neatly between the posts (11-7) H/T

Both sides in for a dressing room briefing and then out for one of the hardest fought , tense 2nd halves I’ve experienced. Chiltern had many chances to score, but with a dogged defense and some ‘white line fever’ the crowd remained on tenterhooks as the game remained at 11-7.

It was always going to go down to the wire, and I’m delighted to say that A&C did not share England’s luck and bad fortune and instead ensured that their amazing defense line and effort held out right to the last play of the game. It was Shelford’s only mall of the game, from a line out and after 3 phases

Highlights for me - Tom Fawssett running like a run a way train down the wing. Razvan Dranca bulldozing making the gains. Harry Bradshaw leaping like a salmon. Ben Pothecary keeping out of trouble with clearing kick after clearing kick. All 18 wonderful and deserving of a long awaited and deserved win.

Team - 1. Razvan Dranca 2. Joe Batt 3. Charlie Swerling 4. Harry Bradshaw 5. Mike Phillips 6. Mike Everett 7. Josh Finch (C) 8. Kazeem Olayinka 9. Ben Harris 10. Joe Batt 11. Tom Fawssett 12. Noah Jarvis 13. Dan Kingsley (C) 14. MacKenzie South 15. Ben Pothecary 16. Max Morphey 17. Andrew Toole 18. Rory Vorster