Chiltern bring Christmas Cheer as Tring sing the blues

‘There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And carolling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long long a go’

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - Andy Williams 1963

Surely, it’s always the highlight of the year? The last home game before Christmas and on the day
of the club Christmas party. Add to that a fine Christmas lunch date with copious amounts of wine
and beer. Some colourful jumpers and a wishful mood amongst the assembled and expectant
Chiltern crowd.
Our near neighbor’s Tring would have been in a confident mood for the return match. Triumphant
back during September sunny days Tring won by 43 pts to 31 and sitting 4th in the league. I recall
our confidence back then - just wait till we get them at home’. This was the day.
We welcomed some boys to our first team, Joshua Fisher and Jack Fisher. Not related and both
with a touch of speed. Joshua recently returned home to A&C after some time at Maidenhead.
Jack has always been home grown and was placed on the bench with the plan being to launch him
like a firework when the Tring legs were heavy.
And so, to the action.
Chiltern were relentless from kick off. With a decent wind on their backs, they attacked the field
end. Confident and well-structured with solid ball retention it was only 11 mins in that the back line
passed out as far as outside centre for Josh Fisher to sprint over unopposed for the opening try.
Tom Fawssett sadly missed the conversion (5 - 0).
Tring struggled to gain and maintain possession and were rightly punished following a sustained
period of Chiltern pressure and multiple offences with a penalty try (12-0). Again, Tring tried to gain
some momentum but with a high press and sound tackling struggled to find the space to make the
gains. On 29 mins It was Josh once again on debut, doing the simple things and again sprinting
over for his second try, this time converted by Tom (19 -0). Tring tried hard for a score before half
time with A&C holding solidly in defence, HT (19 - 0).
The wind did appear to lessen for the 2nd half and the Chiltern crowd seemed to swell after half
time. They were not to be disappointed. Loud cheers of enthusiasm when our young bristling prop
Max Morphey jumped up on his tippy toes and charged down a Tring clearing kick before securing
the touchdown on 48 mins.
Converted by Tom (26-0) and then to really secure the win in style our No8 Kazeem secured the
ball from the line out and with a superb mall scored our final try and secured the bonus point (33-0)

with Tom converting. All credit to Tring scoring a couple of tries in consolation in the 63rd and 74th
minutes (33-12) final score. It was a great party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since this fine win we have enjoyed our Centenary matches and lunch on 28/12/24 and then sadly
had our away game on 4/1/25 against Letchworth Garden City postponed owing to frost. We are
currently preparing for another home match V Hertford this Saturday 11/1/25 which will be 7th V
11th. We do though have some games in hand over others so looking forward to a busy couple of
months securing our position higher in the league. This Tring win could well be a significant win
when looking back at the end of the season.
Finally - this won’t be cancelled because of the weather. Tables are being booked up now for our
Centenary Burns Supper at the club on Friday 24/1/24 from 7.30pm. With a wee Tartan feel and
an opportunity to taste a whisky or 2 we welcome our celebrants and enjoy our haggis starter,
chicken main and a Cranachan sweet. We welcome and address the haggis with a piper and then
participate in some wholesome sangs and clatter whilst learning of the exploits of our bard Burns
and paying homage for his poetry and songs. £40 for a place and a wee bottle of whisky included
for each table. This is the club’s 4th such supper. Payment instructions on the website re the A&C
bank account or pay behind the bar with your name as reference.
E-mail me on a.granty@gmail.com to tell me your coming. That’s it.
See you there!!!
Andy

Team - 1. Razvan Dranca 2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey 4. Harry Bradshaw
5. Jacques O’Driscoll 6. Jordan Scott 7. Josh Finch (C) 8. Kazeem Olayinka 9. Ben Harris
10. Alex Bower 11. Tom Fawssett 12. Noah Jarvis 13. Josh Fisher 14. Tim Hayes
15. Ben Pothecary 16. Charlie Swerling 17. Dave Francis 18. Jack Fisher