Some say there is no better way to learn than what we see on our TVs on cold winter nights. Yes! - ‘The Strictly Come Dancing methodology ‘of teaming up with a professional and dancing together for up to 12 weeks. Some fake tan and sparkle, some close holds and sequins and a variety of dance steps rehearsed and delivered each Saturday to an expectant public. It’s mightily impressive just how good non-dancers can become when they are so close and training alongside a pro.

Equally on the golf course to witness the scratch player playing great shots can raise the game of the novice to a higher level. And so it was that the league leaders Oundle RFC blew in to Weedon Lane and although dampened a hopeful crowd did ensure that the A&C players left with some clarity of how simple and effective the game of Rugby can be.

At the end of October 24 we travelled to Oundle, a market town on the left bank of the river Nene, North Northamptonshire. It was 73 - 0 to Oundle - ouch! For today the goal was for Chiltern to get 4 tries and a bonus point. We started well with opportunities for the opening tries by line out and maul-ing. In 20 mins we could have had 2 tries. Oundle were pressured and made mistakes.

Opportunity did knock but was lost as they class began to show. Oundle opened the scoring with 2 pinout / mauls for a 0-10 lead. With another try on 33 mins, converted and another on 40 mins they had a deserved 0-24 lead with lessons already learned (H/T 0-24)

It was important A&C scored first and with us now playing towards an ever-hopeful clubhouse it was centre Dan Kingsley that read the messaging finishing a great forwards and backs combined move for a well-deserved try. Sadly, conversion missed (5-24).

Oundle responded on 52mins with another converted try to maintain their lead. Then stretched it again on 63 mins with another. With some simple slick play and some effective line out disruption the pressure told further with Andrew Toole taking a yellow for the team following a penalty try on 67mins.

Jordan Scott then applied some timely pressure not giving up which caused a mistake in defence before scoring a deserved 2nd try. Conversion missed. A further couple of tries from some speedy wings ensured a 9 tries to 2 win. Better than October and do you know what really could have been on target with the 4 we craved.

Progress indeed and ideal preparation for this week’s trip to our re-arranged fixture with
Letchworth Garden City. Another club with Championship ambition and riding high in 2nd.
September saw a highly competitive battle at Weedon lane with matters pretty tight prior to a last minute try for a tense Letchworth side. With our Oundle learning still fresh in our minds who knows what this Saturday could bring under the Strictly glitter ball. See you there!!

Team - 1. Razvan Dranca 2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey 4. Harry Bradshaw 5. Jacques O’Driscoll 6. Jordan Scott 7. Michael Everett 8. Kazeem Olayinka 9. Ben Harris 10. Alex Bower 11. Bojan Cecaric 12. Noah Jarvis 13. Dan Kingsley14. James Morrison 15. Ben Pothecary 16. Doug McGregor- Smith 17. Andrew Toole 18. Aaron Lewis