Scarily Letchworth have a pitch that is the mirror image of Tring’s. Same width, breadth and slope from left to right (if facing the right hand posts). There was the one slight difference in that when at Tring the pitch was dry as bone, with the odd swarm of hornets nesting in the dry mud.
Saturday was not the ideal day for our crystal white centenary kits, rain was in the air and mud was on the pitch. Proper and glorious, all that was missing was the hippo.
A&C had some hope that the conditions would be a leveller. With Letchworth sitting comfortably in 2nd place and A&C remaining 11th the optimist was definitely of the view that matters could be a wee bit more random than usual.
With few travelling supporters on this dullest of English days even the wonderfully turned out ‘Chiltern Boy band of Huw, Dave and Peter also known as Thomas, Crimp and Kenyon had hope in their hearts as they enjoyed large portions of pie and mash washed down by the odd pint of Amber ale.
Ever hopeful of a really successful weekend I had managed to convince myself that we would succeed. With the rugby internationals, FA Cup and Scottish Cup all taking place over the weekend it could have been so good. It was in fact a disaster.
We lost, Liverpool lost, Scotland lost, and Rangers lost and then to rub it in England won. My only success was in fact walking the line with a knee injury in the mud and not falling over in my training shoes. Another success was welcoming past Colt Liam Bruno for his first Chiltern cap in the 1s – well done Liam!
And so, to the action.
Chiltern started well with most possession, decent breaks and lineouts again well positioned for rolling malls. Again, though we failed to score tries especially although did manage to take a 0-3 lead after some Letchworth naughtiness.
Tom Fawssett successful with the kick. Soon after Letchworth began to come more into the game and with some sustained attacking and line pressure scored their opening try, duly converted (7-3). Chiltern stuck at it again having decent periods of possession and with Conor Segre making a welcome return at scrum half, after over 12 months out with a nasty injury we saw more space and expansive running from our backs.
Alas though Letchworth’s experience at level 5 paid off with a further converted try (14- 3). Plucky Chiltern though remained determined to get a deserved try and wisely took 2 opportunities to close the gap prior to half time. Confident slots again from Tom and a well-deserved (14-9) fight back prior to half time.
The home crowd although seemed confident that the 2nd half would bring more tries from their side. They were not to be disappointed. For a good 20 mins Letchworth showed why they would be the league’s runners-up. They came to life and A&C struggled to lay hands.
A string of 4 tries with no reply mostly converted saw them reach (43-9) prior to a decent 10 mins from the away side to score a decent try (Jarvis), made from a wonderful initial pounce on their scrum half by prop Doug Mcgregor-Smith. Yes!!! It was indeed out Doug (43-16)
Next week – the 6-match run for survival starts with an away trip the Shelford (5th) and our chance to do the double after our narrow 11-7 victory back in November.
Then on 22/2/25 we welcome Hertford to Weedon Lane and then on 1/3/25 we take on Harpenden again at home in honour of ‘Derek – we miss you; we do – Wallace.
We then attempt another winning double at lowly Bedford Athletic (12th) on 8/3/25 and then go again against Old Northamptonians at home on 33/3/25. Sudbury then travel all the way to us on the last day of the league season 5/4/25 when hopefully we will be safe. All your support is crucial!!!!
Coach going to Shelford this Saturday meet at club 10am – supporters more than welcome!!!

See you there

Andy

1.Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey 4. Harry Bradshaw 5.Jacques O’Driscoll 6.Andrew Toole 7. Michael Everett 8. Jordan Scott © 9. Conor Segre 10. Alex Bower 11. Bojan Cecaric 12. Noah Jarvis 13. Dan Kingsley 14.James Morrison 15.Ben Harris 16.Liam Bruno 17. Tom Fawssett 18.Josh Fisher